The NFL season is well underway, and by now, we have a pretty good idea of who the contenders, pretenders, and bottom-feeders are. While there’s still plenty of college football left to play, the 2027 NFL Draft class is starting to take shape. A clear top tier of prospects is emerging, and we’re getting a better sense of who could hear their name called in the first round, who might return to school, and who’s beginning to slide down draft boards.
Last week, Christian dropped his first 2027 NFL Mock Draft of the season, so be sure to check that out below.
Christian Williams’ 2027 NFL Mock Draft 1.0
The NFL season is well underway, and we know exactly who the contenders, pretenders, and bottom-feeders are. While plenty of games remain in the college football season, we’re also seeing a top tier of prospects, suggesting confidence in who will become a first-round pick, who may return to school, and who is falling down big boards.
Now it’s my turn to take a crack at it. With the calendar turning to November, here’s how I see the first round shaking out next spring.
1. Los Angeles Chargers | Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
If the Chargers end up with the first overall pick, this feels like a no-brainer to me. Jeremiah Smith is arguably the best player in the entire 2027 class and one of the best wide receiver prospects we’ve seen in quite some time. Los Angeles has desperately needed a true WR1 for Justin Herbert, and Smith would immediately give him that dominant outside weapon this offense has been missing. At 6-foot-4, Smith has the size, physicality, and explosiveness to take over games, and we’ve already seen him do it consistently at Ohio State. The Chargers could certainly look in another direction depending on how the rest of the season plays out, but passing on a talent like Smith would be awfully difficult. Pairing him with Herbert for the foreseeable future is exactly the type of move that could turn this offense around.
2. Tennessee Titans | Colin Simmons, EDGE, Texas
This is a tough one for me because I do think Tennessee could consider hitting the reset button at quarterback again, although Cam Ward showed some encouraging signs in his last outing. For now, I'm giving Ward another opportunity and turning my attention to the defensive side of the ball. After trading Jeffery Simmons to Chicago, the Titans have a massive hole along their defensive front, and Texas EDGE Colin Simmons would be a great piece to build around. Simmons is one of the most talented defensive players in this class, and his explosiveness and ability to consistently get after the quarterback would give Robert Saleh a legitimate pass-rushing threat. Tennessee also has plenty of draft capital to work with over the next two years, so they don't necessarily have to force a quarterback selection here. Adding Simmons gives this rebuilding defense a potential cornerstone while allowing the Titans another year to evaluate Ward.
3. Miami Dolphins | Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame
Much like Tennessee, the Dolphins could certainly look to address the quarterback position here, but with so much uncertainty surrounding this class, I’m not sure forcing a selection is the right move. Instead, I think Miami sticks it out with Malik Willis for at least another year and takes arguably the best cornerback in the entire draft. Leonard Moore has been outstanding at Notre Dame and has all the tools to develop into a legitimate shutdown corner at the next level. At 6-foot-2, Moore brings excellent size, length, and physicality to the position, along with the ability to match up against opposing teams’ top receivers. Miami is clearly in the middle of a rebuild, and its secondary desperately needs a difference-maker. Rather than reaching for a quarterback they might not be sold on, the Dolphins land a potential cornerstone for their defense while giving Willis another opportunity to prove himself.
4. Las Vegas Raiders (via NYJ) | Charlie Becker, WR, Indiana
TRADE: Las Vegas sends pick No. 14 and a 2028 first-round pick to the New York Jets for pick No. 4 and R4 (107).
Here’s our first trade of the mock, and I think this one makes plenty of sense for both teams. The Raiders move up ten spots to grab Indiana wide receiver Charlie Becker, giving up their 2028 first-round pick in the process. This Las Vegas offense feels like it’s one legitimate playmaker away from taking that next step, and Becker could be exactly what they’re missing. At 6-foot-4, he brings excellent size, a massive catch radius, and the ability to make plays downfield. Reuniting him with Fernando Mendoza, his former quarterback at Indiana, would only make this pairing more intriguing. On the other side, the Jets have plenty of draft capital to work with, and depending on how the quarterback class shakes out and who ultimately declares, moving back to No. 14 while adding another future first-round pick could be a smart move. There’s still a lot of uncertainty surrounding this class, and New York gives itself even more flexibility moving forward.
5. Philadelphia Eagles | Jordan Seaton, OT, LSU
This feels like a pretty easy selection for Philadelphia, especially with Lane Johnson announcing his retirement earlier this season. The Eagles have always prioritized building through the trenches, and losing one of the best offensive tackles of the last decade leaves a massive hole along their offensive line. Jordan Seaton is arguably the best tackle prospect in this class and would give Philadelphia a potential long-term replacement for Johnson. At 6-foot-5 and over 310 pounds, Seaton has an impressive combination of size, athleticism, and footwork that should translate well to the next level. He’s already proven himself against high-level competition and has the ability to play either tackle position. The Eagles have built their success around controlling the line of scrimmage, and adding a talent like Seaton would allow them to continue doing exactly that while protecting whoever the Eagles have at the quarterback position.
6. New York Jets | Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State
The Jets pick up an additional 2028 first-round pick, and still manage to land a quarterback. I’m not particularly sold on this quarterback class right now, especially with the uncertainty surrounding who will actually declare, but New York desperately needs to find an answer at the position. Drew Mestemaker is one of the more intriguing prospects in this class, going from an unranked walk-on at North Texas to putting up ridiculous numbers before transferring to Oklahoma State. He’s continued to produce against better competition this season, throwing for 2,649 yards and 25 touchdowns through October. Mestemaker has shown the ability to push the ball downfield, make plays outside the pocket, and consistently move an offense. There are certainly questions about how his game will translate to the NFL, and I’m not completely convinced he’s a franchise quarterback just yet, but the Jets are in a position where they have to take a swing. Moving back, adding future draft capital, and still landing a quarterback with upside feels like a reasonable gamble for a franchise searching for some stability.
7. Houston Texans | Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas
At some point, Houston has to figure out how to consistently protect C.J. Stroud, and landing Trevor Goosby here would be a step in the right direction. The Texans have struggled to find stability along their offensive line, and with Trent Brown potentially departing after the season, adding another young tackle makes plenty of sense. Goosby was having an outstanding season at Texas before suffering a season-ending knee injury, allowing zero sacks and just eight pressures across 396 offensive snaps. At 6-foot-7 and 325 pounds, he has the size, length, and athleticism to develop into a legitimate starting tackle at the next level. Obviously, the injury is something teams will have to evaluate throughout the draft process, and it could ultimately impact his draft stock. However, if Houston is comfortable with his medical outlook, this could be an opportunity to land one of the better offensive tackles in the class while addressing one of the team’s biggest needs.
8. New Orleans Saints | Will Echoles, IDL, Ole Miss
I think I’m a little higher on Will Echoles than most at this point, but I still view him as a legitimate top-ten prospect in this class. The Ole Miss defensive tackle has been one of the more disruptive interior defenders in college football, and his combination of power, quickness, and ability to create pressure up the middle is exactly what NFL teams are looking for. New Orleans has some interesting decisions to make this offseason, particularly at quarterback, but if the Saints truly believe Tyler Shough is their guy moving forward, they can turn their attention to building up the rest of the roster. Pairing Echoles with Bryan Bresee would give New Orleans a talented young duo along the interior defensive line and a foundation to build around for years to come. Echoles might not be the flashiest selection inside the top ten, but I think he’s one of the better defensive prospects in this class and would be a solid addition to this Saints defense.
9. Washington Commanders | Dylan Stewart, EDGE, South Carolina
I don’t know what it is, but Dylan Stewart just feels like a Washington Commander to me. The Commanders have been searching for a legitimate difference-maker off the edge. Stewart has the talent to be exactly that. At 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds, he’s an athletic freak with an explosive first step, tremendous bend, and the ability to completely take over games. Now, there have been some concerns with Stewart both on and off the field, and his consistency hasn’t always been where you’d like it to be, but I still think his ceiling is as high as anyone in this entire draft class. He’s also a Washington, D.C., native, which makes this pairing even more intriguing. There is certainly some risk involved with this selection, but if Stewart puts everything together, the Commanders could be landing one of the best defensive players in the class at No. 9.
10. New York Jets (via DAL) | Kelley Jones, CB, Mississippi State
The Jets already landed their quarterback earlier in the draft, and now they turn their attention to rebuilding the secondary after moving on from Sauce Gardner. Ashton Hampton is still sitting there and would certainly be an intriguing option, but I’m going to take a shot on the upside of Kelley Jones. At 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds, Jones is an absolute freak at the cornerback position, possessing the size, length, and athleticism that you just don’t see very often. He’s been outstanding at Mississippi State this season and has the physical tools to develop into a legitimate shutdown corner at the next level. Jones has a physical profile and would give Aaron Glenn the type of long, physical corner he wants in his defense. There’s some projection involved with this selection, but I think the upside is worth the gamble. With multiple first-round picks at their disposal, the Jets can afford to swing for the fences on a talent like Jones.
11. Arizona Cardinals | Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
I’m still very much in on Dante Moore, and if he decides to declare for the 2027 NFL Draft, I think Arizona has to take a swing on him here. Moore entered the season as one of the top quarterback prospects in the country, and while his injury and limited playing time have certainly complicated his evaluation, I still believe the talent is there. We saw what he was capable of in 2025 when he threw for over 3,500 yards and 30 touchdowns, and his combination of arm talent, accuracy, and ability to push the ball downfield is exactly what I’d be looking for in a potential franchise quarterback. The Cardinals have moved on from Kyler Murray, and while Gardner Minshew and Carson Beck can hold things down temporarily (Jacoby Brissett is terrible), neither should prevent Arizona from addressing the position. With young weapons like Trey McBride and Michael Wilson already in place, Moore would have some intriguing pieces to work with. There is obviously risk involved, especially with the injury concerns, but landing a quarterback with Moore’s upside outside the top ten feels like a gamble worth taking.
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Chris Cole, LB, Georgia
I think there’s a legitimate argument that Chris Cole is a top-five talent in this entire draft class, so landing him at No. 12 would be a massive win for Tampa Bay. Cole is an absolute freak athletically, and at 6-foot-3, he has the speed, range, and versatility that NFL teams are looking for at the linebacker position. He’s been outstanding for Georgia this season, consistently making plays all over the field whether it’s against the run, dropping into coverage, or getting after the quarterback. For a defensive-minded coach like Todd Bowles, I couldn’t think of a much better fit. Tampa Bay has always valued athletic linebackers who can do a little bit of everything, and Cole has the potential to be a difference-maker in the middle of that defense for years to come. I wouldn’t be surprised if Cole ends up going much higher than this when April rolls around, but if he’s still on the board here, the Buccaneers should be running to turn in their pick.
13. Atlanta Falcons | Zereoue Williams, OT, UTAH
Zereoue Williams will be one of the most debated offensive tackle prospects in this class, and there’s a legitimate argument that he could end up being better than both Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu, two players he spent time sitting behind at Utah. At 6-foot-8 and 305 pounds, Williams is an absolute monster with some ridiculous movement skills for a player his size. Typically, tackles this tall struggle with leverage, but Williams does an excellent job of bending, staying balanced, and maintaining his technique in pass protection. He’s still relatively inexperienced, which makes his upside even more intriguing. For Atlanta, this feels like a smart investment in the future of its offensive line. Jake Matthews is now 34 years old, and while he’s been a reliable presence for years, the Falcons don’t have a clear long-term replacement waiting in the wings. Williams could eventually take over that left tackle spot and give Atlanta a cornerstone along its offensive line for the next decade.
14. New York Jets (VIA LVR) | Greg Johnson, G, Minnesota
The Jets have already landed their quarterback of the future in Drew Mestemaker and addressed the secondary with Kelley Jones, so why not finish off their first round by adding some protection up front? Greg Johnson is one of the better interior offensive linemen in this class, and I think he has the potential to be a ten-year starter at the next level. He’s an absolute mauler in the run game, possessing tremendous strength and the ability to consistently move defenders off the line of scrimmage. His physicality and ability to anchor in pass protection would also be a welcome addition for a Jets offense that needs to do a better job protecting its quarterback. Johnson might not be the flashiest selection, especially after trading back from No. 4, but landing a potential franchise quarterback, a high-upside cornerback, and a long-term starter along the offensive line would be a pretty successful first round for New York.
15. Baltimore Ravens | Xavier Gilliam, IDL, Tennessee
I do believe the Ravens will eventually move on from Lamar Jackson, but until we get some clarity on that situation, I’m going to approach this mock with him still on the roster. Instead, Baltimore lands one of the biggest risers in the entire draft class in Tennessee defensive tackle Xavier Gilliam. The Penn State transfer has been an absolute monster for the Volunteers this season, consistently wreaking havoc in opposing backfields. At 6-foot-2 and 305 pounds, Gilliam plays with tremendous power, leverage, and an understanding of how to win along the interior. He’s already up to seven sacks this season, including two against Texas, and has looked nearly unblockable at times. While the sample size of this level of production is still relatively small, I think the upside is far too intriguing to ignore. Gilliam just feels like the type of defensive lineman Baltimore would love to have, and adding him to Jesse Minter’s defense could give the Ravens another disruptive presence up front for years to come.
Dear Readers,
For the full TDR experience, our website offers memberships at $8, $12, and $16 per month, including written content, rankings, exclusive tools, features, and community access. Whichever way you choose to support us, we appreciate you being part of TDR and trusting us to help you stay ahead of your leagues.
16. Cleveland Browns (via LAR) | Yhonzae Pierre, EDGE, Alabama
I don’t think there’s a bigger Yhonzae Pierre fan out there than me, and if Cleveland somehow lands him here, I think it would be an absolute home run. Pierre has been one of my favorite defensive prospects to watch, and I still believe his ceiling is as high as just about any edge rusher in this class. He’s explosive off the line, plays with tremendous energy, and has the ability to completely disrupt an offense when he’s at his best. The Browns have managed to win games despite some inconsistent production from their edge rushers, and while Jared Verse is certainly talented, he hasn’t quite lived up to expectations this season. Pairing Pierre with Verse would give Cleveland two young, athletic pass rushers to build around, and I think their skill sets would complement each other extremely well. The Browns have already done a nice job building up the interior of their defensive line, and adding a player like Pierre could take this entire unit to another level. I might be higher on him than most, but this is one of my favorite fits in the entire first round.
17. Seattle Seahawks | Cam Coleman, WR, Texas
This might be a bit of an outlier selection, but I actually really like the fit of Cam Coleman in Seattle. Coleman has been somewhat inconsistent this season, particularly with some frustrating drops, but there’s no denying the talent and upside he brings to the position. At 6-foot-3 and 204 pounds, he’s a big, physical receiver who can stretch the field, win contested catches, and make plays downfield. His production hasn’t necessarily jumped off the page every week since transferring to Texas, but we’ve seen flashes of just how dominant he can be when everything comes together. Seattle already has one of the best receivers in football in Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and adding Coleman would give this offense a legitimate outside threat who could take some pressure off JSN. There’s certainly some risk involved with this pick, and Coleman still has areas of his game that need to improve, but I think his skill set would complement what Seattle already has extremely well. This could end up being one of the better receiver pairings in the league if Coleman reaches his potential.
18. Cleveland Browns | LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina
Let’s have a little fun with this one. I’m not completely sold on LaNorris Sellers as a first-round quarterback just yet, but there’s no denying that his physical tools are some of the best we’ve seen at the position in quite some time. At 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds, Sellers is an absolute freak of an athlete with a cannon for an arm and the ability to take over games with his legs. We’ve seen some inconsistencies throughout his career, particularly as a passer, but he’s started to put things together over the last few weeks, and the upside is simply too intriguing to ignore. What really makes this selection interesting to me is the pairing with Todd Monken, who has already shown what he can do with a dynamic quarterback like Lamar Jackson. Cleveland desperately needs to figure out its long-term quarterback situation, and rather than playing it safe, why not take a swing on one of the highest-ceiling players in the entire draft? Sellers is far from a finished product, but if there’s a coaching staff that could maximize his unique skill set, I think Cleveland would be a pretty interesting landing spot.
19. Carolina Panthers | Trevor Lauck, OT, Iowa
This might not be the flashiest selection for Carolina, but I think Trevor Lauck would be a tremendous addition to this offensive line. Lauck has spent his college career playing tackle at Iowa, but I believe his best fit at the next level could be kicking inside to guard. At 6-foot-5 and 314 pounds, he’s a physical, nasty offensive lineman who excels in the run game and has the strength to consistently move defenders off the line of scrimmage. He’s also been extremely reliable in pass protection, and coming from Iowa, you know he’s going to be well-coached and technically sound. Carolina has some intriguing young pieces on offense, but continuing to build up the offensive line should be a priority. Lauck might not have the highest ceiling of the linemen in this class, but I think he has one of the safer floors and could develop into a ten-year starter. Sometimes those are exactly the types of picks that help turn a franchise around.
20. Dallas Cowboys (via GB) | Ashton Hampton, CB, Clemson
The Cowboys are a bit of a mess right now, and quite frankly, I’m not sure what direction they’re going to take this offseason or which players they’ll prioritize bringing back. Joey Porter Jr. could certainly be one of those decisions, but regardless of how things shake out, Dallas desperately needs help in the secondary. Ashton Hampton is a player I considered much earlier in this mock, so landing him at No. 20 feels like tremendous value. At 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, Hampton has the size, length, and physicality to develop into a legitimate starting corner at the next level. He’s been outstanding at Clemson this season, showing excellent ball skills and the ability to consistently disrupt passing lanes. Dallas has plenty of questions to answer across its roster, but adding a talented young corner like Hampton would be a step in the right direction. I think there’s a good chance he ends up going higher than this when April rolls around.
21. New England Patriots | Boubacor Traore, EDGE, Notre Dame
Boubacar Traore wasn’t necessarily a player I had pegged as a first-round pick entering the season, but he’s quickly changed my mind with his play at Notre Dame. At 6-foot-5 and 253 pounds, Traore has an impressive combination of size, length, and explosiveness that allows him to consistently disrupt opposing offenses. His sack numbers might not jump off the page, but when you watch him play, you see a defender who can collapse the pocket with power, get off the line in a hurry, and use his hands extremely well. He’s also versatile enough to line up in multiple spots along the defensive front, which is something I think New England would value. The Patriots could certainly go in a few different directions here, but adding another talented pass rusher to their defense makes plenty of sense. Traore has been one of the bigger risers in this class, and I wouldn’t be surprised if his stock continues to climb as we get closer to April.
22. New York Giants | Justin Scott, IDL, Miami
Justin Scott is another player who might not have the flashiest numbers in this class, but I think he’s going to be a really good player at the next level. At 6-foot-4 and 303 pounds, Scott has the size, strength, and athleticism to be a disruptive presence along the interior defensive line. He’s been a consistent contributor for Miami this season, and while he isn’t necessarily putting up eye-popping sack totals, his ability to eat up blocks, hold his ground against the run, and create opportunities for the players around him is extremely valuable. The Giants have some aging veterans along their defensive front, and adding a young player like Scott would help solidify that unit moving forward. New York could certainly address a few other needs here, but I think Scott has the upside to develop into a really solid starter for years to come. Sometimes the best selections aren’t the most exciting ones, and this feels like one of those picks.
23. Cincinnati Bengals | Ellis Robinson IV, CB, Georgia
Ellis Robinson IV is a tough evaluation for me right now because I still believe he’s one of the more talented cornerbacks in this class, but his play this season hasn’t necessarily lived up to expectations. The former five-star recruit has all the physical tools you want at the position, showing excellent athleticism, ball skills, and the ability to make plays in coverage. However, he’s also been beaten for some big plays this year, and his consistency has been a concern. For Cincinnati, I think this is a worthwhile gamble at No. 23. The Bengals have some talented pieces in their secondary, including DJ Turner II and Dax Hill, but adding another high-upside cornerback would give them some much-needed depth and flexibility. Robinson is still relatively young and has plenty of room to develop, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up being one of the better corners to come out of this class. The talent is certainly there, but he’ll need to clean up some things before reaching his full potential.
24. Kansas City Chiefs | Nick Marsh, WR, Indiana
I really like this fit for Kansas City, and I think Nick Marsh would bring something to this offense that they’ve been missing for quite some time. At 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, Marsh has an excellent combination of size, physicality, and explosiveness, but what really stands out to me is his ability to create yards after the catch. He’s not just a big-bodied receiver who wins contested catches; he’s dangerous with the ball in his hands and can turn a simple completion into a big play. We’ve seen him flash that ability throughout his college career, and I think his skill set would fit extremely well in Andy Reid’s offense. The Chiefs have had plenty of speed at the receiver position over the years, but adding a physical outside target who can win downfield and create after the catch would give Patrick Mahomes another dimension to work with. Marsh is a player I’ve been high on for a while, and landing in Kansas City could be an ideal situation for him to develop into a legitimate WR1 at the next level.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars | KJ Bolden, S, Georgia
Jacksonville has done a really nice job drafting over the last few years, and I think adding a player like KJ Bolden would be another step in the right direction. Antonio Johnson has been serviceable this season, but I still think the Jaguars could use an upgrade at the safety position heading into next year. Bolden is one of the most talented safeties in this class, and his versatility is what really stands out to me. He can play deep, line up in the slot, or come down into the box and make plays against the run. He’s an excellent athlete with tremendous range, and I think his ability to do a little bit of everything would make him a perfect fit in Anthony Campanile’s defensive system. The Jaguars have continued to build a talented young roster, and adding a playmaker like Bolden to the back end of their defense would give them another piece to build around. I wouldn’t be surprised if Bolden ends up going much higher than this, so landing him at No. 25 would be tremendous value for Jacksonville.
26. Detroit Lions | Kingston Lopa, S, CAL
Detroit desperately needs to address its secondary this offseason, and while I considered a few of the cornerbacks still on the board, I’m going to take a swing on one of the more intriguing defensive prospects in this class. Kingston Lopa is an absolute freak at 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds, and his combination of size, length, and athleticism is something you just don’t see very often at the safety position. After transferring from Oregon to Cal, Lopa has been a playmaker, recording five interceptions in his first three games with the Golden Bears. There’s still some rawness to his game, particularly as a tackler, but I love the upside and versatility he brings to a defense. Detroit could use another defensive chess piece, and pairing Lopa with Brian Branch would give the Lions two extremely versatile players who can line up all over the field. This might be a bit of an unconventional selection, but I think Lopa has the talent to develop into a special player at the next level.
27. Pittsburgh Steelers | Jyaire Hill, CB, Michigan
This might be a bit of a reach compared to where most have Jyaire Hill ranked right now, but I really like his game and think he’d be an excellent fit in Pittsburgh. Hill is an athletic, physical cornerback who plays with the type of aggressiveness we’ve come to expect from Steelers defenders. He’s got excellent speed, good length, and isn’t afraid to get involved against the run, which is something I always appreciate from defensive backs. There are times when his aggressiveness can get him into trouble in coverage, but I think the upside is worth taking a chance on late in the first round. Under Patrick Graham, Pittsburgh has incorporated more versatility and disguise into its defensive looks, and Hill has the ability to play press-man while also fitting into those match coverage concepts. The Steelers could go in a few different directions here, but adding another young, physical cornerback to their secondary feels like a smart move. I might be higher on Hill than most, but I think he has the tools to become a really good starter at the next level.
28. Tennessee Titans (via CHI) | A’Mauri Washington, IDL, Oregon
The Titans already landed one of the best edge rushers in this class with Colin Simmons earlier in the draft, so why not double down and continue rebuilding that defensive front? After trading away Jeffery Simmons, Tennessee has a massive hole to fill along the interior, and A’Mauri Washington would be an excellent addition. At 6-foot-3 and 320 pounds, Washington is an absolute monster in the middle who can eat up double teams, hold his ground against the run, and create pressure up the middle. What makes him even more intriguing is his athleticism for a player his size, as he’s shown the ability to get off the ball quickly and disrupt plays in the backfield. Pairing Washington with Colin Simmons would give the Titans two young, high-upside defensive linemen to build around for the foreseeable future. Tennessee has plenty of draft capital to work with, and coming away with both players in the first round would be a tremendous start to rebuilding this defense.
29. Denver Broncos | Clev Lubin, EDGE, Louisville
Clev Lubin might be one of the most underrated players in this entire draft class, and I really like the idea of him landing in Denver. The Louisville edge rusher has been incredibly productive throughout his college career, and while he might not get the same attention as some of the bigger names at the position, his tape speaks for itself. At 6-foot-3 and 260 pounds, Lubin is a powerful, physical defender who plays with a relentless motor and consistently finds ways to disrupt opposing offenses. This season he has recorded 5.0 sacks and 22 pressures, and I think his combination of strength, explosiveness, and versatility would fit extremely well in Vance Joseph’s defensive system. Denver already has a talented defensive front, but you can never have enough players who can get after the quarterback. Lubin would give the Broncos another versatile pass rusher to rotate into the mix, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up being one of the better values in the first round.
30. Minnesota Vikings | Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss
The Vikings take a swing at quarterback here, and quite frankly, I think they need to. I’m just not convinced Kyler Murray is the long-term answer in Minnesota, and at some point, Kevin O’Connell needs to find a quarterback he can build around. Trinidad Chambliss has one of the more interesting stories in college football, going from Division II Ferris State to putting up ridiculous numbers at Ole Miss. He’s coming off a season in which he threw for nearly 4,000 yards with 22 touchdowns and just three interceptions, while also adding over 500 yards on the ground. Chambliss isn’t a perfect prospect, and there are certainly questions about how his game will translate to the NFL, but I love his poise, mobility, and ability to make plays both inside and outside the pocket. More importantly, I think landing with O’Connell would be one of the better situations for a young quarterback to develop, especially with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison at his disposal. There is some risk involved with taking Chambliss in the first round, but at No. 30, I think it’s a gamble worth making for a franchise that desperately needs some stability at the position.
31. San Francisco 49ers | Cayden Green, G, Missouri
I think Cayden Green is being severely underrated in this draft class, and quite frankly, I don’t understand why he’s so low on some of these early big boards. When you watch his film, you see an impact offensive lineman who has the size, physicality, and versatility to make an immediate difference at the next level. Dominick Puni has been excellent for San Francisco, but the 49ers could still use some additional help along their offensive line, especially with the injuries that seem to pile up every single season. Green has experience playing both tackle and guard, but I believe his best fit in the NFL is along the interior, where his strength and ability to move defenders really stand out. San Francisco has always valued offensive linemen who can play multiple positions, and Green would give them another talented piece to work with. I might be higher on him than most, but I think landing Green this late in the first round would be an absolute steal for the 49ers.
32. Buffalo Bills | Kade Pieper, C, Iowa
I originally had Buffalo taking a wide receiver here, but the more I look at this roster, the more I like the idea of adding Kade Pieper to the offensive line. Pieper is one of the better interior offensive linemen in this class, and I think his versatility and athleticism make him an excellent fit for the Bills. After spending time at right guard, Pieper made the transition to center at Iowa and has continued to show why he’s considered one of the top interior prospects in the country. He’s a physical, technically sound blocker who moves extremely well for his size and has the ability to make an immediate impact at the next level. Buffalo has relied heavily on Josh Allen to carry this offense, and continuing to build a strong offensive line around him should be a priority. Pieper might not be the exciting skill-position player some Bills fans are hoping for, but I think landing a potential long-term starter at guard at the end of the first round would be a tremendous selection.
