Jadan Baugh’s recent dip in production hasn’t knocked him out of the first-round conversation.
In USA TODAY Sports’ latest 2027 NFL mock draft, published Wednesday by Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, the Florida running back is projected to go No. 19 overall to the Cleveland Browns. He is the lone back taken in the opening round, with Cleveland using a pick acquired from the Los Angeles Rams to address its rushing attack.
That kind of investment at running back is uncommon these days. Teams have grown far more reluctant to spend premium draft capital on the position because of the short average career length and the league’s continued tilt toward the passing game. Still, the Browns’ numbers make the fit easy to understand: they rank 29th in expected points added per rushing attempt.
“Cleveland will have to ensure the ask of its next quarterback isn’t too great,” Middlehurst-Schwartz wrote.
The mock draft also points out that Cleveland’s front office has typically steered clear of major running back investments, which would make Baugh’s selection a bit out of the ordinary. But the idea is straightforward enough: strengthen the ground game, lighten the load on a young quarterback.
Baugh had previously been slotted at No. 20 overall to the Denver Broncos in Middlehurst-Schwartz’s October mock draft, so he actually moved up one spot despite Florida’s offensive struggles lately.
Through eight games, the third-year back has 801 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on 152 carries, good for 5.3 yards per attempt. He burst out of the gate with four straight 100-yard games, but the last month has been much quieter. Over his past four outings, he has totaled just 201 rushing yards, including 38 yards on 17 carries in Saturday’s 27-8 loss to Georgia.
Even with that slowdown, Baugh remains the top running back in USA TODAY’s latest projection and a legitimate first-round possibility.
Florida, now 5-3 and 3-3 in the SEC, returns home Saturday to face Oklahoma as Baugh tries to get back to the form he showed early in the season.
In Other News...
Florida Assistant Emerges In Rival Search That Could Divide Gators Fans
Florida States coaching search has already turned into one of the more interesting storylines in the state, and it has a name Gators fans know well. Buster Faulkner, Floridas offensive coordinator, has surfaced as an intriguing candidate after the Seminoles fired Mike Norvell, a reminder that his rise in coaching has put him on the radar beyond Gainesville. His background is rooted in offense, and that alone makes him a logical fit for a program looking to reset its identity.
For Florida fans, the possibility is awkward in the way rival business often is. Faulkner has not been a head coach before, but Florida States next hire will have to navigate more than just play-calling, with financial limitations and a major rebuild waiting for whoever takes over. If the Seminoles decide to push in that direction, it would create an unusual subplot in the rivalry and leave Gators supporters watching a familiar assistant through a very different lens. [Read more 🡒]
Florida Suddenly Has A Depth Problem Ahead Of Oklahoma
Floridas availability picture for Oklahoma took a hit this week, and the early report made the Gators depth concerns hard to miss. Seven players showed up on the initial list, including wide receiver Vernell Brown III as doubtful and four others already ruled out, leaving Florida to sort through its rotation with another SEC test looming.
Jon Sumrall also offered an update on Browns injury status, saying the receiver is still pushing to get back after a recent setback. The other notable absence is defensive lineman Jeramiah McCloud, who is suspended for conduct detrimental to the team and will have his status re-evaluated after the game, adding one more layer of uncertainty to a roster already running thin. [Read more 🡒]
Vernell Brown IIIs Return Just Became A Bigger Florida Concern
Floridas wide receiver picture took another hit this week with Vernell Brown III now listed as doubtful for the upcoming game against Oklahoma after a knee injury and a setback in practice. The Gators have already had to manage a busy availability report, and head coach Jon Sumrall made clear Browns situation is legitimate after a non-surgical procedure, pushing back on the social media chatter that had started to swirl around the injury.
Browns status matters because he has been part of the offensive conversation all season, and the timing only adds to the uncertainty heading into a tough matchup. Florida is also dealing with several other players listed out or questionable, including defensive lineman Jeramiah McCloud, who is suspended and will have his status reevaluated after the game, leaving the Gators with more moving parts than they would like this late in the week. [Read more 🡒]