The first weekend of college football is in the books, and it was enough to start stirring up the 2027 NFL Draft conversation - especially for Jets fans.
New York is the only team set to hold three first-round picks, which gives it three cracks at adding impact talent if things line up the right way. In a new mock draft from Sports Illustrated’s Justin Melo, the Jets come away with a quarterback and two defensive prospects who would fit obvious long-term needs.
At No. 3 overall, Melo sends New York to Notre Dame for quarterback 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.”
There’s going to be plenty of quarterback chatter around the Jets between now and next April, and this kind of projection only adds fuel to it. New York is widely expected to be in the market for a college passer with one of its first-round selections, and Carr is the name Melo plants there.
The Jets’ second first-rounder in the mock comes at No. 13 overall, via Indianapolis, and it addresses the defensive line. Melo has them taking Ole Miss tackle 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.”
That pick makes sense on paper with multiple veterans in New York’s defensive tackle room set to hit unrestricted free agency next spring, including Harrison Phillips, Jowon Briggs, and David Onyemata.
Then comes another defensive addition at No. 16 overall, via Dallas, with Clemson cornerback Ashton Hampton. Corner could become a real need if Azareye'h Thomas or Brandon Stephens don’t emerge as dependable starters this season, and Melo’s mock has the Jets ready to attack that spot as well.
For now, it’s only August, and a lot can change before the draft picture really comes into focus. But after one weekend of college football, the Jets already have three first-round swings and a mock draft that gives them a quarterback, a defensive tackle and a cornerback.
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