# Justin Melo: Melo's 2027 first-round mock draft assigns all 32 picks, headlined by Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith going No. 1 overall to the Chargers and Oklahoma State QB Drew Mestemaker as the first quarterback off the board at No. 3 to Miami. **Claimed:** Nov 2, 2026 **Pundit:** Justin Melo — https://missedtakes.co/pundits/justin-melo **Outlet:** Sports Illustrated — https://missedtakes.co/outlets/sports-illustrated **How it reached us:** published in writing **Original:** https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/onsi/news/2027-nfl-mock-draft-trade-deadline-flips-first-round-projections 35 checkable claims — 32 mock draft picks, 2 position order calls and 1 team draft slot call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call. It names 60 players and teams, each linked to their own record. None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in. Of the 14 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 6 and below it on 8. > Instead of replacing the QB, they select the best overall prospect in Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith and return next season with a new offensive play caller. *(their words, quoted for attribution)* ## The claims - **Carter Smith to be picked at number 29** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Carter Smith, Denver Broncos - Verdict: not settled yet - **Jadan Baugh to be picked at number 28** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Jadan Baugh, Pittsburgh Steelers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Brauntae Johnson to be picked at number 26** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Brauntae Johnson, Detroit Lions - Verdict: not settled yet - **Dylan Stewart to be picked at number 2** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Dylan Stewart, Tennessee Titans - Verdict: not settled yet - **Xavier Williams to be picked at number 22** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Xavier Williams, New York Giants - Verdict: not settled yet - **Chris Cole to be picked at number 5** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Chris Cole, New York Jets - Verdict: not settled yet - **Boubacar Traore to be picked at number 11** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Boubacar Traore, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Ashton Hampton to be picked at number 15** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Ashton Hampton, Baltimore Ravens - Verdict: not settled yet - **Arch Manning to be picked at number 12** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Arch Manning, Arizona Cardinals - Verdict: not settled yet - **Trevor Goosby to be picked at number 24** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Trevor Goosby, Kansas City Chiefs - Verdict: not settled yet - **C.J. Carr to be 2nd quarterback off the board** - Kind: Position Order Calls · About: C.J. Carr, New York Jets - Verdict: not settled yet - **David Stone to be picked at number 27** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: David Stone, Tennessee Titans - Verdict: not settled yet - **Will Echoles to be picked at number 10** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Will Echoles, New York Jets - Verdict: not settled yet - **Trinidad Chambliss to be picked at number 16** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Trinidad Chambliss, Cleveland Browns - Verdict: not settled yet - **Zalance Heard to be picked at number 13** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Zalance Heard, Atlanta Falcons - Verdict: not settled yet - **Kade Pieper to be picked at number 30** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Kade Pieper, Minnesota Vikings - Verdict: not settled yet - **Drew Mestemaker to be 1st quarterback off the board** - Kind: Position Order Calls · About: Drew Mestemaker, Miami Dolphins - Verdict: not settled yet - **C.J. Carr to be picked at number 4** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: C.J. Carr, New York Jets - Verdict: not settled yet - **Will Heldt to be picked at number 31** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Will Heldt, San Francisco 49ers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Los Angeles Chargers to pick at number 1** - Kind: Team Draft Slot Calls · About: Los Angeles Chargers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Drew Mestemaker to be picked at number 3** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Drew Mestemaker, Miami Dolphins - Verdict: not settled yet - **KJ Bolden to be picked at number 21** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: KJ Bolden, New England Patriots - Verdict: not settled yet - **Jaylen McClain to be picked at number 32** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Jaylen McClain, Buffalo Bills - Verdict: not settled yet - **Greg Johnson to be picked at number 8** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Greg Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles - Verdict: not settled yet - **Colin Simmons to be picked at number 9** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Colin Simmons, New Orleans Saints - Verdict: not settled yet - **Devan Thompkins to be picked at number 18** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Devan Thompkins, Cleveland Browns - Verdict: not settled yet - **Ellis Robinson to be picked at number 20** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Ellis Robinson, Dallas Cowboys - Verdict: not settled yet - **Trevor Lauck to be picked at number 25** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Trevor Lauck, Jacksonville Jaguars - Verdict: not settled yet - **Jeremiah Smith to be picked at number 1** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Jeremiah Smith, Los Angeles Chargers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Charlie Becker to be picked at number 14** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Charlie Becker, Las Vegas Raiders - Verdict: not settled yet - **Leonard Moore to be picked at number 6** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Leonard Moore, Washington Commanders - Verdict: not settled yet - **Kelley Jones to be picked at number 23** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Kelley Jones, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: not settled yet - **Yhonzae Pierre to be picked at number 17** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Yhonzae Pierre, Seattle Seahawks - Verdict: not settled yet - **Jordan Seaton to be picked at number 7** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Jordan Seaton, Houston Texans - Verdict: not settled yet - **Zereoue Williams to be picked at number 19** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Zereoue Williams, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: not settled yet ## Who this take is about - Carter Smith — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/carter-smith - Denver Broncos — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/broncos - Jadan Baugh — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jadan-baugh - Pittsburgh Steelers — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/steelers - Brauntae Johnson — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/brauntae-johnson - Detroit Lions — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/lions - Dylan Stewart — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/dylan-stewart - Tennessee Titans — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/titans - Xavier Williams — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/xavier-williams - New York Giants — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/giants - Chris Cole — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/chris-cole - New York Jets — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/jets - Boubacar Traore — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/boubacar-traore - Tampa Bay Buccaneers — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/buccaneers - Ashton Hampton — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/ashton-hampton - Baltimore Ravens — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/ravens - Arch Manning — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/arch-manning - Arizona Cardinals — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/cardinals - Trevor Goosby — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/trevor-goosby - Kansas City Chiefs — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/chiefs - C.J. Carr — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/c-j-carr - David Stone — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/david-stone - Will Echoles — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/will-echoles - Trinidad Chambliss — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/trinidad-chambliss - Cleveland Browns — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/browns - Zalance Heard — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/zalance-heard - Atlanta Falcons — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/falcons - Kade Pieper — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/kade-pieper - Minnesota Vikings — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/vikings - Drew Mestemaker — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/drew-mestemaker - Miami Dolphins — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/dolphins - Will Heldt — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/will-heldt - San Francisco 49ers — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/49ers - Los Angeles Chargers — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/chargers - KJ Bolden — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/kj-bolden - New England Patriots — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/patriots - Jaylen McClain — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jaylen-mcclain - Buffalo Bills — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/bills - Greg Johnson — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/greg-johnson - Philadelphia Eagles — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/eagles - Colin Simmons — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/colin-simmons - New Orleans Saints — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/saints - Devan Thompkins — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/devan-thompkins - Ellis Robinson — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/ellis-robinson - Dallas Cowboys — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/cowboys - Trevor Lauck — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/trevor-lauck - Jacksonville Jaguars — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/jaguars - Jeremiah Smith — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jeremiah-smith - Charlie Becker — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/charlie-becker - Las Vegas Raiders — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/raiders - Leonard Moore — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/leonard-moore - Washington Commanders — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/commanders - Kelley Jones — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/kelley-jones - Cincinnati Bengals — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/bengals - Yhonzae Pierre — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/yhonzae-pierre - Seattle Seahawks — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/seahawks - Jordan Seaton — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jordan-seaton - Houston Texans — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/texans - Zereoue Williams — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/zereoue-williams - Carolina Panthers — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/panthers ## What others said about the same people - Parker Hurley on Jessie Bates: Hurley argues a Jessie Bates trade to San Francisco is unrealistic because Atlanta remains in the weak NFC South race and likely won't sell, and he expects 49ers safety Ji'Ayir Brown to depart in free agency after this season. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/7e8279a5-fad4-4c61-9646-0809bdcdaf40 (scored 0) - Jeremy Brener on Seattle Seahawks: Brener picked the Seahawks to beat the Cardinals in Week 9 by a multi-score margin, giving a final score of 27-13, and expressed confidence Seattle would be fine with Drew Lock starting at quarterback. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/7eb2d245-63d0-4be0-80ba-3f60197e2b16 (scored 100) - Albert Breer on Seattle Seahawks: Breer picks the Seahawks to beat the Cardinals in their Week 9 NFC West matchup. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/4d67a8a5-0c05-4abe-b2ca-f0cef8390b1d (scored 100) - Tyler Sullivan on Seattle Seahawks: Sullivan picks the Seahawks to win in Week 9. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/dfca04b3-5c80-4a2e-b0de-8ac3a25f225b (scored 100) - Dave Richard on Seattle Seahawks: Richard picks the Seahawks over the Cardinals. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/d3db433e-52c6-42d1-a3b0-6b342aac8a9e (scored 100) - John Pluym on Seattle Seahawks: Pluym picks the Seahawks over the Cardinals. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/e3897747-c55f-4340-9e82-03f9730f87ba (scored 100) ## More mock draft picks The same kind of call, about other players and teams. - Chris Simms on Malachi Corley: Simms named the Bears the NFL's best overall offense and best rushing offense, the Bengals the best passing offense, Seattle the best total defense, Minnesota the best pass defense and Tampa Bay the best run defense; he also called Tristan Wirfs the league's best offensive lineman, projected Miami's Malachi Toney as a top-15 pick, and predicted a 30-14 Jaguars win in Baltimore. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/c0fd4647-2de8-4a5f-bac2-950fed303ee9 (scored 11.46) - Todd McShay on Keelon Russell: While breaking down LSU's offense, McShay called receiver Jackson Harris a top-50 NFL draft prospect, and later said LSU's Sam Levitt and Alabama's Keelan Russell are potential top-10 picks in a future draft. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/15d40546-2ab9-4ab8-b5bd-ed0ef7f26ae5 (scored 0) - Philip Hughes on Kyle Kennard: Evaluating edge rusher Kyle Kennard ahead of the draft, the account projected him as a Day 2 selection. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/605a686a-b5f1-4611-82b4-961abf8de93e (scored 33.86) - Blaine Grisak on Brian Thomas Jr.: Grisak argues the Rams should not trade a second-round pick for Jaguars receiver Brian Thomas Jr., calling it too great a risk and too high a cost. In an embedded tweet of his own from the 2024 pre-draft period, he suggested the Rams could select Thomas at pick No. 19. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/627bcf5d-9f1d-4a34-a1b7-53b8f0aebc40 (scored 84.09) - Walt on Garrett Nussmeier: In a running series of coach/GM hiring and firing grades, Walt projects Fernando Mendoza as the No. 1 overall pick of the Raiders in the 2026 draft and has LSU's Garrett Nussmeier going No. 2 overall in his 2026 mock draft. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/29bb2d31-fbe3-40db-b378-be5ba5d990b0 (scored 0) - Rob Rang on Malachi Corley: Rang updated his quarterback board for the 2027 NFL Draft, moving Ole Miss's Trinidad Chambliss to No. 1 ahead of Dante Moore and Arch Manning, and sorting the 14 QBs into first-round, Day 2 and Day 3 tiers. He also projects Jeremiah Smith as the No. 1 overall pick and says Manning would be a first-round pick if eligible. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/65667ef4-80c7-4bd1-a9ae-6c7aa8eb18b7 (scored 23.94) --- Accuracy is 0-100 against what actually happened. The naive guess is what a strategy requiring no knowledge would have scored on the same call — the difference is the skill, and it is what the MissedTakes Score averages. Full method: https://missedtakes.co/methodology We summarize what a pundit said and quote a short span for attribution; we never republish their article. If this is wrong, tell us: https://missedtakes.co/corrections?pundit=justin-melo