The winless Los Angeles Chargers sit at the top of the 2027 NFL Draft order following an active trade deadline that saw six first-round picks change hands.
Top Pick Projections
Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith remains the consensus choice for the No. 1 selection, with analysts projecting him to land with the Chargers to bolster their offense.
Smith recorded 69 receptions for 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns for the Buckeyes, averaging 17.4 yards per catch. Pro Football Network projects the Chargers hold a 46 percent chance of securing the top selection based on simulation models.
Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker has emerged as the clear top signal-caller in the class. Mestemaker has completed 206 of 309 passes for 2,962 yards, 29 touchdowns, and eight interceptions through nine games.
Trade Deadline Impact
The Philadelphia Eagles acquired Jacksonville’s first-round pick and a 2029 second-round pick in exchange for defensive tackle Jordan Davis. The Tennessee Titans secured additional draft capital by trading defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons to the Chicago Bears.
The Jets hold three picks in the top 32 selections, while the Browns, Eagles, and Titans hold two first-round picks each. Meanwhile, the Colts, Packers, Bears, Rams, and Jaguars enter the final stretch without a first-round selection.
Defensive Prospects
Notre Dame edge rusher Boubacar Traore and Texas edge rusher Colin Simmons lead the defensive prospects. Simmons posted 10.5 sacks and 25 total pressures through his first six games before suffering an ankle injury.
Clemson cornerback Ashton Hampton has recorded 14 forced incompletions, 12 pass breakups, and two interceptions this season. Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore has allowed only eight receptions as the primary coverage defender across seven games, earning an 81.1 coverage grade.
Updated top-50 Draft Board 🚨 – No. 1 is the only spot that hasn't changed since August – A LOT of QBs (only 2 RBs) – Another good draft class if you need WR or EDGE helphttps://t.co/XXvvZ7OLDK
Chargers and Titans Face Struggles Ahead of Draft
The Los Angeles Chargers carry a zero-and-eight record through the first half of the 2026 season, marking them as the league’s only winless team. Despite a disastrous season for quarterback Justin Herbert, the Chargers rebuffed trade interest in him at the deadline to signal their commitment to him.
The Tennessee Titans sit at one win and seven losses with a minus-55 point differential. After trading Jeffery Simmons, the Titans lack depth on the defensive line. Texas edge rusher Colin Simmons stands 6’3″ and weighs 246 pounds, bringing junior status and a production sheet featuring 25 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles. Scouting profiles note that he functions as a skilled speed rusher.
How did the trade deadline shake up the latest NFL Mock Draft? 👀 28. Vikings: RB Jadan Baugh, Florida 18. Browns: LB Chris Cole, Georgia 11. Texans: EDGE Dylan Stewart, South Carolina 3. Dolphins: QB Drew Mestemaker, Oklahoma State 1. Chargers: WR Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State… pic.twitter.com/lOYNeOX3DB
Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis spent time on the injured reserve list during the season, leaving the offense searching for stability. The Dolphins enter draft calculations with multiple selections, including a pick acquired from the Detroit Lions involving the 27th overall selection in exchange for the 34th, 102nd, and 141st picks.
Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker features prominently in projections for the team, aided by an improved pressure-to-sack rate that dropped from 14.7 percent to 8.6 percent.
New First Draft with @MelKiperESPN! We react to the NFL trade deadline through a draft lens Thoughts on Fernando Mendoza, the Vikings, Jaguars and much more. Plus prospect talk on Dylan Riley and Patrick Overmyer 📈https://t.co/bIcJY6MBii
Meanwhile, defensive additions across the league target immediate trenches help, such as Ole Miss defensive tackle Will Echoles standing 6’3 and 310 pounds, and Oregon defensive tackle A’Mauri Washington checking in at 6’3 and 325 pounds with an 83.8 PFF run-defense grade from the 2024 season and a 69.8 mark in subsequent action.
Offensive line boards feature Kentucky tackle Lance Heard at 6’5″ and 320 pounds with nearly 37-inch arms, bringing college experience at both right and left tackle. Iowa guard Trevor Lauck provides smooth pass protection and leverage discipline. Utah tackle Zereoue Williams is verified at 321 pounds, offering a massive body type and heavy-punch grip strength for long-term protection.
Earlier coverage: Jordan Reid Ranks 2027 NFL Draft Prospects, Jeremiah Smith Leads
2. Titans select Colin Simmons 6. Jets select CJ Carr 9. Cardinals select 🤯 🚨FRESH MOCK DRAFT🚨https://t.co/PfZGDxGcrq
Keep reading
