Jets' 2027 NFL mock draft lands key players after first weekend of college football

There's a long way to go until the 2027 NFL Draft, but after the first weekend of college football, it's hard not to be excited about some of the incoming prospects available in next April's class. For New York Jets fans in particular, there's extra reason for excitement.

The Jets are the only team scheduled to have three first-round draft choices and three chances to land players who could continue to move the team in the right direction.

Sports Illustrated's Justin Melo put out a mock draft after the weekend's first official action of college football, and it lands the Jets a much-needed quarterback and two young defenders.

2027 mock draft lands New York Jets three blue-chip prospects

Round 1, Pick No. 3 overall, Notre Dame QB CJ Carr

There will be a nauseating amount of quarterback discourse for Jets fans to sift through over the next eight months, and for good reason. The 2027 class features several high-profile prospects who could be targets for New York next April. In Melo's mock, he has the Jets taking Notre Dame signal caller CJ Carr.

"Notre Dame's CJ Carr really impressed as a first-year starter in 2025, throwing for 2,741 passing yards, 24 touchdowns. Carr needs more experience, but the baseline traits for a future top-five pick are in place."

Obviously, there's no quarterback you can set in stone as an obvious Jets pick at this point in time, but it's a fairly safe bet to assume New York will take a shot on a collegiate signal caller with one of their first-round picks.

Round 1, Pick No. 13 overall (via Indianapolis), Ole Miss DT Will Echoles

Defensive tackle may end up being a sneaky need for the Jets in 2027. Their room is deep heading into 2026, but multiple veterans are set to test unrestricted free agency next spring, including Harrison Phillips, Jowon Briggs, and David Onyemata. Melo has them addressing the position with Ole Miss' Will Echoles.

"Ole Miss defensive tackle Will Echoles is a rising 20-year-old prospect who notched five sacks and 39 pressures throughout 2025. Echoles is among the best overall prospects we've studied thus far."

We'll see if Echoles can follow up his breakout 2025 season with another productive year with the Rebels and end up remaining a potential Jets target ahead of next April.

Round 1, Pick No. 16 overall (via Dallas), Clemson CB Ashton Hampton

In a similar vein to defensive tackle, cornerback may end up being a priority for the Jets in 2027, particularly if neither Azareye'h Thomas nor Brandon Stephens look capable as starting options throughout the upcoming season. If they don't, New York should certainly consider targeting a player like Clemson's Ashton Hampton.

"Clemson's Ashton Hampton is a big-bodied boundary corner (6-3, 204) with the length and aggression needed to play press-man coverage on the outside. He had an impressive interception versus LSU in Week 1."

After trading away Sauce Gardner last year, the Jets need a long-term answer at boundary cornerback, and Hampton may end up being one of the 2027 draft class's best options.

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