The 2026 NFL Draft is in the books. So naturally, the media is quickly turning the page and looking ahead to the 2027 NFL Draft. It’s normal for outlets to post early thoughts on the following year’s draft, but especially this one. The 2027 draft class, at least early on, has a chance to be special. A handful of quarterbacks, starting with Texas’ Arch Manning, could go early in the first round and arguably the best player in college football finally becomes draft-eligible, that being Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.
So why not do a way-too-early seven-round mock for 2027 for the Cincinnati Bengals? Why? Because we’re nuts. Let’s get started.
No. 17 – Ellis Robinson IV, CB, Georgia
The Bengals did take a cornerback in this year’s draft, taking Tacario Davis of Washington in the third round. That’s a bit of a head start as the Bengals will soon have plenty of decisions to make at the position. Dax Hill, D.J. Turner, Jalen Davis, D.J. Ivey and Ja’Sir Taylor are all free agents in 2027.
Robinson started 12 games last season for the Bulldogs. He had four interceptions and seven passes defended, being named Second-Team All-SEC. He’s a former five-star prospect and was the No. 3 overall prospect coming out of IMG Academy.
No. 49 – T.J. Moore, WR, Clemson
The Bengals added Georgia wide receiver Colbie Young in the fourth round. Outside of him, the Bengals don’t have much under contract for 2027 besides Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Moore should get more opportunities with Antonio Williams now in the NFL but with a new quarterback following the graduation of Cade Klubnik. Moore had 837 yards and four touchdowns on 52 catches last season. He recorded at least six catches and 68 yards in three of his last four games, including 83 yards on six catches in the Pinstripe Bowl against Penn State.
No. 81 – Anthonie Knapp, OT, Notre Dame
Knapp stepped right into the starting lineup as a true freshman following a season-ending injury to Charles Jagusah and has started all but one game in two seasons for the Irish — he was injured in the semifinal two seasons ago against Penn State and missed the National Championship against Ohio State.
No. 97 – Raleek Brown, RB, Texas
Chase Brown, Samaje Perine and Gary Brightwell are all free agents in 2027. The Bengals could extend Brown but they’ll still need depth behind him. Brown joins the Longhorns this season after rushing for over 1,100 yards last season for Arizona State.
No. 117 – Alani Noa, IOL, USC
22 starts over the last two seasons between left and right guard. Dylan Fairchild is set for the future, but Dalton Risner was only re-signed for one season.
No. 155 – Terry Moore, S, Ohio State
Moore missed the entire 2025 season due to injury but had a productive three-year stint at Duke, including four interceptions and eight pass breakups. He now joins Ohio State as they look to replace the newest addition to the Dallas Cowboys, Caleb Downs.
No. 195 – Wendell Gregory, Edge, Kansas State
Gregory had four sacks last season for Oklahoma State and was named Third-Team All-Big 12. He transferred to Kansas State this year and began his college career at South Carolina in 2024.
No. 234 – Rocco Becht, QB, Penn State
The Bengals could take a late-round stab at a quarterback as they do not have a quarterback under contract for 2027 – Sean Clifford is a restricted free agent. The Bengals may even grab one sooner. The ages of the quarterbacks on the Bengals roster: 30 (Joe Burrow), 41 (Joe Flacco), 40 (Josh Johnson), and 28 (Clifford).
Becht followed head coach Matt Campbell from Iowa State to Penn State. He has thrown for over 9,300 yards and 64 touchdowns in three full seasons in his career, all with the Cyclones.
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: 2027 NFL mock draft: Way-too-early Bengals 7-round projections