The passing of the NFL Trade Deadline doesn't always mean that we see the top of the NFL Draft change. That is the case, however, for the 2027 NFL Draft, as the Jacksonville Jaguars sent their first-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for Jordan Davis, which came after the Chicago Bears shipped off their first-round pick to the Tennessee Titans for Jeffery Simmons.
But beyond the picks changing hands, there may also be some teams whose draft needs have changed. So naturally, it's time to dive into another NFL Mock Draft.
We're going through the entire first round with a full projection for all 32 first-round picks, those with new homes and those staying put. Let's start with the Chargers at the top for this mock draft, a team that unbelievably didn't end up moving anyone at the trade deadline.
It's still baffling to me that the Chargers were so inactive at the deadline — and even worse, the one deal they made to send Daiyan Henley to the Broncos fell through. LA isn't in a good spot and certainly not in a position to pass on Jeremiah Smith. He is the complete package at wide receiver with size, speed, agility, tremendous hands and even contact balance to boost.
The Chargers certainly don't have this type of pass-catching presence in the building.
Trading Jeffery Simmons is, to some degree, a slight step back in the Titans' rebuild. At the same time, though, they need plenty of help throughout the roster. Colin Simmons can be a foundational piece in Tennessee. While he's struggled with injuries the past couple of weeks, he's arguably the best sack artist in college football.
His blend of explosiveness and power is hard to match off the edge and he could be a quick double-digit sack player in the NFL.
Not only did the Dolphins have a quiet trade deadline, but they lost Malik Willis to IR. Barring Kyle McCord shocking everyone and lighting the world on fire as he takes over in relief, Miami will be eyeing a quarterback in the draft. Drew Mestemaker has separated himself in that regard.
We knew he had a big arm and the requisite physical tools to be a pro prospect, but he's displayed tremendous poise, pocket mobility and IQ to raise his stock as QB1.
I'm late coming around on CJ Carr, largely because I simply needed to see him do it in true tests. That didn't happen earlier in Notre Dame's season against BYU, but absolutely did against Miami. The arm is there and he's showing the ability to layer his throws and give his receivers a chance almost every time.
The Jets are obviously a team still looking for their quarterback of the future and Carr is worth that bet in this spot.
Though it wasn't a fire sale that the Eagles held at the trade deadline, moving Jordan Davis is a clear indication that Howie Roseman is aiming to shake things up. But with a top-five pick, Philadelphia is going meat and potatoes to rebuild the offensive line after trades and Lane Johnson's retirement.
Jordan Seaton has had the physical tools since he was a 5-star recruit, but he's developed into a high-end tackle technique and power wise since joining LSU and the top player at his position.
The Jets are back on the clock, though not for the last time in the first round, and they have their quarterback in tow with Carr. That moves the focus to a defense that still has some pretty clear long-term holes, especially in the secondary. Leonard Moore is a stud and has been a projected top 10 pick in the class for years.
Fluidity, length, mirroring — he has everything you want from a top cornerback prospect and can easily take the field as CB1 for New York next season.
My line about the Commanders has remained consistent: Washington needs to get younger and more explosive on defense. Sonny Styles was a good start a year ago and Dylan Stewart will continue that on the defensive front. The South Carolina product is monster with elite explosiveness and the ability to get tremendous push at multiple points in the trenches.
There isn't a player in Washington right now that can offer what he does down to down.
While Chris Cole is more of a hybrid than a pure linebacker prospect, that makes complete sense for the Buccaneers in this spot. Lavonte David has shown his age for some time now and Tampa Bay has paid the price for that defensively. Cole is lightning off his spot, whether he's blitzing or crashing down into the trenches. His versatility and otherworldly physical tools are a shot in the arm that the Bucs need.
No question about it, I'm ready to get hurt again. Arch Manning made me look foolish over the first half of the season with his erratic play, but he's doing exactly what he did a year ago and playing his best football late in the season. The Cardinals need to get the quarterback position fixed in a hurry. Manning is worth a roll of the dice here given his physical tools.
We need it to be more consistent, but Arch has the arm and the ability to make any throw on the field that can make him a franchise QB.
As for now, I still believe that Trevor Goosby has a chance to be a top 10 pick. He's out for the rest of the year at Texas due to an injury, which is something to monitor, but he was a clear stud for the Longhorns before that happened. He's been a rising prospect throughout his entire career and now the Falcons are on the board needing a future for when Jake Matthews is gone and after Kaleb McGary's retirement.
Goosby is their man, easily.
After seeing both Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu head to the NFL Draft, Zereoue…
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