# Justin Melo: Melo published a very early 2027 NFL first-round mock draft with four quarterbacks going in the top four picks, led by Arch Manning at No. 1 to Arizona, and Jeremiah Smith as the top non-QB at No. 5. **Claimed:** Aug 10, 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/mock-drafts/2027-nfl-mock-draft-first-round-projection-before-college-football-season-changes-everything 32 checkable claims — 32 mock draft picks — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call. It names 61 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 5 and below it on 9. > If Manning continues developing in the right direction, he'll be the favorite to go No. 1 overall. *(their words, quoted for attribution)* ## The claims - **Kelley Jones to be picked at number 18** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Kelley Jones, New York Jets - Verdict: not settled yet - **Jamari Johnson to be picked at number 20** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Jamari Johnson, Denver Broncos - Verdict: not settled yet - **Matayo Uiagalelei to be picked at number 29** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Matayo Uiagalelei, Seattle Seahawks - Verdict: not settled yet - **Drake Lindsey to be picked at number 15** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Drake Lindsey, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Verdict: not settled yet - **David Stone to be picked at number 30** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: David Stone, Baltimore Ravens - Verdict: not settled yet - **Jeremiah Smith to be picked at number 5** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Jeremiah Smith, Las Vegas Raiders - Verdict: not settled yet - **Jordan Seaton to be picked at number 6** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Jordan Seaton, Atlanta Falcons - Verdict: not settled yet - **Will Echoles to be picked at number 11** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Will Echoles, New York Jets - Verdict: not settled yet - **Julian Sayin to be picked at number 3** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Julian Sayin, Cleveland Browns - Verdict: not settled yet - **Yhonzae Pierre to be picked at number 28** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Yhonzae Pierre, Philadelphia Eagles - Verdict: not settled yet - **Cam Coleman to be picked at number 10** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Cam Coleman, New York Giants - Verdict: not settled yet - **Leonard Moore to be picked at number 8** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Leonard Moore, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Charlie Becker to be picked at number 23** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Charlie Becker, Dallas Cowboys - Verdict: not settled yet - **Jadan Baugh to be picked at number 17** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Jadan Baugh, Chicago Bears - Verdict: not settled yet - **Kade Pieper to be picked at number 21** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Kade Pieper, Detroit Lions - Verdict: not settled yet - **Kenyatta Jackson to be picked at number 32** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Kenyatta Jackson, Cleveland Browns - Verdict: not settled yet - **Drew Mestemaker to be picked at number 14** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Drew Mestemaker, Pittsburgh Steelers - Verdict: not settled yet - **KJ Bolden to be picked at number 12** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: KJ Bolden, Washington Commanders - Verdict: not settled yet - **Carter Smith to be picked at number 24** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Carter Smith, Houston Texans - Verdict: not settled yet - **Dylan Stewart to be picked at number 7** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Dylan Stewart, Tennessee Titans - Verdict: not settled yet - **Nick Nash to be picked at number 26** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Nick Nash, Kansas City Chiefs - Verdict: not settled yet - **Matt Moore to be picked at number 2** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Matt Moore, Miami Dolphins - Verdict: not settled yet - **Arch Manning to be picked at number 1** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Arch Manning, Arizona Cardinals - Verdict: not settled yet - **Carson Green to be picked at number 31** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Carson Green, Buffalo Bills - Verdict: not settled yet - **Tae Johnson to be picked at number 16** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Tae Johnson, Jacksonville Jaguars - Verdict: not settled yet - **Zabien Brown to be picked at number 22** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Zabien Brown, San Francisco 49ers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Justin Scott to be picked at number 25** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Justin Scott, Los Angeles Chargers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Ellis Robinson to be picked at number 13** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Ellis Robinson, Minnesota Vikings - 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 - **C.J. Carr to be picked at number 4** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: C.J. Carr, New York Jets - Verdict: not settled yet - **A'Mauri Washington to be picked at number 27** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: A'Mauri Washington, New England Patriots - Verdict: not settled yet - **Brice Pollock to be picked at number 19** - Kind: Mock Draft Picks · About: Brice Pollock, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: not settled yet ## Who this take is about - Kelley Jones — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/kelley-jones - New York Jets — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/jets - Jamari Johnson — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jamari-johnson - Denver Broncos — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/broncos - Matayo Uiagalelei — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/matayo-uiagalelei - Seattle Seahawks — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/seahawks - Drake Lindsey — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/drake-lindsey - Tampa Bay Buccaneers — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/buccaneers - David Stone — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/david-stone - Baltimore Ravens — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/ravens - Jeremiah Smith — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jeremiah-smith - Las Vegas Raiders — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/raiders - Jordan Seaton — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jordan-seaton - Atlanta Falcons — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/falcons - Will Echoles — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/will-echoles - Julian Sayin — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/julian-sayin - Cleveland Browns — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/browns - Yhonzae Pierre — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/yhonzae-pierre - Philadelphia Eagles — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/eagles - Cam Coleman — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/cam-coleman - New York Giants — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/giants - Leonard Moore — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/leonard-moore - Carolina Panthers — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/panthers - Charlie Becker — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/charlie-becker - Dallas Cowboys — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/cowboys - Jadan Baugh — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jadan-baugh - Chicago Bears — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/bears - Kade Pieper — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/kade-pieper - Detroit Lions — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/lions - Kenyatta Jackson — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/kenyatta-jackson - Drew Mestemaker — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/drew-mestemaker - Pittsburgh Steelers — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/steelers - KJ Bolden — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/kj-bolden - Washington Commanders — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/commanders - Carter Smith — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/carter-smith - Houston Texans — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/texans - Dylan Stewart — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/dylan-stewart - Tennessee Titans — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/titans - Nick Nash — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/nick-nash - Kansas City Chiefs — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/chiefs - Matt Moore — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/matt-moore - Miami Dolphins — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/dolphins - Arch Manning — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/arch-manning - Arizona Cardinals — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/cardinals - Carson Green — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/carson-green - Buffalo Bills — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/bills - Tae Johnson — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/tae-johnson - Jacksonville Jaguars — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/jaguars - Zabien Brown — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/zabien-brown - San Francisco 49ers — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/49ers - Justin Scott — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/justin-scott - Los Angeles Chargers — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/chargers - Ellis Robinson — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/ellis-robinson - Minnesota Vikings — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/vikings - Colin Simmons — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/colin-simmons - New Orleans Saints — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/saints - C.J. Carr — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/c-j-carr - A'Mauri Washington — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/a-mauri-washington - New England Patriots — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/patriots - Brice Pollock — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/brice-pollock - Cincinnati Bengals — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/bengals ## What others said about the same people - Zack Kelberman on Sean Fresch Jr.: Kelberman expects Sean Fresch Jr. to clear waivers and return to the Broncos' practice squad, sees Riley Moss back from concussion for the Week 11 game at Las Vegas, and projects newly acquired Daiyan Henley to begin as the third inside linebacker behind Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad before likely moving into a starting role. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/978f775c-5611-4514-ad2f-b35a6eac0402 (scored 0) - Zack Kelberman on Sean Fresch Jr.: Kelberman writes that Riley Moss may sit out the preseason finale against Minnesota but should be available for the Week 1 opener at Kansas City; they also suggest undrafted corners Sean Fresch Jr. and Brent Austin are being evaluated for practice squad spots. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/3c8c47b8-6041-4282-8d21-d21741d8f11b (scored 0) - Chris Clark on Nikko Remigio: Clark expects the Chiefs to bring back exclusive-rights receiver Nico (Remigio) and long snapper James Winchester, to re-sign JuJu Smith-Schuster as a cheap veteran fifth receiver, and not to bring back Hollywood Brown, Josh Dobbs-type depth, Gardner Minshew, Janarius Robinson or Mike Caliendo; they also say the Chiefs will not use a franchise tag and believes Bryan Cook won't return. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/99521265-d5c0-4db1-b2a0-fe77908ea0b3 (scored 0) - Nate Gosney on Daiyan Henley: After the Broncos rescinded the trade, Gosney expects Daiyan Henley to remain with the Chargers for the rest of the 2026 season, but believes the awkward fallout has effectively killed any chance of them signing a new contract with Los Angeles after the season. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/60272861-4ad0-4749-b36a-dcdf09b9213f (scored 0) - Parker Hurley on Khalid Kareem: Hurley predicts the 49ers will release Khalil Kareem when Nate Hobbs is activated and cut Brandin Cooks when C.J. West returns, while arguing Sebastian Valdez won't be the one let go and no cornerback will be cut. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/5a729417-69ee-493a-9bec-d905fd1a7082 (scored 0) - Sam Monson on New York Giants: Monson picked every Week 10 game, taking the Giants, Lions, Packers, Panthers, Colts, Texans, Bills, Chiefs, Jaguars, Seahawks, Rams, Cowboys, Bengals and Ravens, and also suggested the Chargers' only likely wins the rest of the way come against the Jets and Dolphins. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/f4cb7a1e-1380-4f08-b39b-1432b97db846 (scored 0) ## 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; they 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 them 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 their own from the 2024 pre-draft period, they suggested the Rams could select Thomas at pick No. 19. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/627bcf5d-9f1d-4a34-a1b7-53b8f0aebc40 (scored 84.09) - Charlie Campbell on Xavier Williams: Campbell's draft stock report projects Indiana WR Charlie Becker as a top-10 pick in 2027, Mississippi State CB Kelley Jones as a first-rounder, Tennessee DT Xavier Gilliam as a top-15 pick, and Texas OT Trevor Goosby as a top-10 pick, while suggesting Arch Manning could still be a first-rounder if they declare. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/2dd4bf46-e5eb-4dff-8500-95d9fdbd2986 (scored 0) - 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 their 2026 mock draft. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/29bb2d31-fbe3-40db-b378-be5ba5d990b0 (scored 0) --- 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