Northwest Prospects: NFL Mock Draft (2027-2029; Part 2)

The 2026 NFL Draft kicks off Thursday, changing the lives of soon-to-be-NFL players and the teams who select them.   This article uses the current NFL Draft order team needs to project what these teams would do - very hypothetically - if only the Oregon and Washington prospects in the classes 2027-2029 were available.   For example, the Las Vegas Raiders have the No. 1 pick this year and need a quarterback.   In this exercise, therefore, they remain at No. 1 and still have the same need.   How would this draft play out?   Here's a look - with a blended analysis of current NFL Teams and the local star we love to cover.   (It is important to note this is a “for fun” exercise. We are not projecting 32 Northwest prospects to be future NFL first-round draft picks).    Without further ado, here's our mock draft:    Here's<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/04/nfl-mock-draft-northwest-prospects-2027-2029-part-1/" id="https://prepredzone.com/2026/04/nfl-mock-draft-northwest-prospects-2027-2029-part-1/"> Part 1 - Picks 1-16</a>   17. Detroit Lions — OT [player_tooltip player_id='1857585' first='Kyler' last='Harden'], O'Dea (2028)   The Lions experienced an odd hiccup in what has generally been an ascension over the past few years.   Detroit needs a tackle, and [player_tooltip player_id='1857585' first='Kyler' last='Harden'] is a solid fit.   The 6-foot-5, 260-pound still-growing tackle already holds offers from Auburn, Cal, Penn State and Washington.   Like several of the guys picked 8-17 he could've gone higher had “need” not played a bigger part in this very-much mock exercise.    18. Minnesota Vikings — DB [player_tooltip player_id='984781' first='Markel' last='Newell'], Puyallup (2028)    Prior to the draft, Minnesota is being labeled as a team desperate for defensive back help.   The Northwest's “Honey Badger” is sitting right there.   [player_tooltip player_id='984781' first='Markel' last='Newell'] is up to double-digit offers, highlighted by Arizona, Arizona State, Boise State, Washington State and others.    Newell isn't the biggest prospect - 5-foot-10, 180 pounds - but he can cover and come downhill and make a tackle - the perfect modern nickel.     19. Carolina Panthers —  WR [player_tooltip player_id='985348' first='Jayce' last='Halasz'], Graham-Kapowsin (2028)   Carolina needs a weapon for Bryce Young and gets a steal in Graham-Kapowsin wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='985348' first='Jayce' last='Halasz'], whose 6-foot-3 frame makes it difficult for teams to matchup on the outside given that he now pairs with Tetairoa McMillan (6-foot-5).    Halasz has great size, but also runs crisp routes and is a complete receiver.   His stock seems to be soaring, as he's recently added offers from Cal and Stanford.    20. Dallas Cowboys — CB [player_tooltip player_id='928074' first='Maurice' last='Williams'], Timberline    Dllla would like to double up on defense Thursday, it seems, and are able to do that in our mock.   They landed impact defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1599603' first='Tevita' last='Nonu'] at No. 12, and now get a high-upside cornerback in Washington commit [player_tooltip player_id='928074' first='Maurice' last='Williams'].   There's a world in which Williams shows out as a senior is immediately worthy of going 10 spots higher, but in real NFL Drafts missed time is a red flag.   21. Pittsburgh Steelers — QB [player_tooltip player_id='1557937' first='Jadis' last='Lefono'], Lakes (2029)   Mendoza is the only “surefire” first-round pick this week, although some are speculating Alabama's Ty Simpson could go Day 1.   In this exercise, teams that need a quarterback are able to get one, because there are several good ones.   While the first two picks knocked out the proven star signal-callers, Pittsburgh still gets its future QB.   Jadis Lefodo is a talented 6-foot-1, 195-pound passer who already holds an offer from San Diego State.    He could develop into a bluechip passer.    22. Los Angeles Chargers — OL Rashaun Lavata'i, Curtis (2027)    Protect Justin Herbert at all costs.   That's the name of the game for the Chargers.   Enter Rashaun Lavata'i.   The versatile 6-foot-6, 285-pound lineman holds offers from Arizona, Cal, Oregon State, UCLA, Washington State and others.    He is a four-star prospect and may end up being one of the most sought-after players in the region as a late bloomer.    23. Philadelphia Eagles — WR [player_tooltip player_id='2065218' first='Siosaia' last='Malietufa'], Puyallup (2029)   As a freshman at O'Dea, [player_tooltip player_id='2065218' first='Siosaia' last='Malietufa'] was an all-league selection and now moves to a loaded Puyallup squad.   Why the Eagles?   A.J. Brown is likely to be traded this offseason (Patriots), and despite the pairing of DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks they could use another playmaker.   Malietufa is the guy.    24. Cleveland Browns — WR [player_tooltip player_id='937176' first='Malachi' last='Garlington'], Nelson (2027)   Cleveland went offensive tackle at No. 6 with [player_tooltip player_id='1397350' first='Xavier' last='Berry'], and now go and get a much-needed field-stretcher in [player_tooltip player_id='937176' first='Malachi' last='Garlington'].   The speedy 6-foot-3, 180-pound pass-catcher was arguably the breakout star in the state of Oregon last fall and could uptick to an entirely new level with strong camp showings.   PRZ is really high on the program-altering athlete.    25. Chicago Bears — DB [player_tooltip player_id='1012408' first='Kaden' last='Johnson'], Bellevue (2028)   Chicago had a stellar last season and find itself picking much lower than they have in recent years.   The Bears have a need in the secondary and [player_tooltip player_id='1012408' first='Kaden' last='Johnson'] is clearly the best one available.   Johnson has offers from Auburn, Kentucky, Texas A&M and others.   Admittedly, this spot makes me nervous.   Johnson could easily be much higher on this list and even as I type it I don't love the “too low” placement.    26. Buffalo Bills — LB [player_tooltip player_id='791149' first='Kawai' last='Chamberlin'], Willamette (2028)   The Bills could use a wide receiver or an interior offensive lineman.   But Buffalo has to stop the run, and Willamette's [player_tooltip player_id='791149' first='Kawai' last='Chamberlin'] is a tackling machine.    He will be among the favorites for state defensive player of the year this fall.    Puyallup's [player_tooltip player_id='1188110' first='Michael' last='Pulalasi'] also makes sense as a tone-setter in the front seven, but the NFL covets size and Chamberlin (6-2, 220) fits the bill.    Like the real NFL Draft, off-ball linebackers tend to slide to early Round 2, which is where you would find Pulalasi.    27. San Francisco 49ers —OL/DL [player_tooltip player_id='1705963' first='Ronan' last='Crawford'], West Linn   The 49ers have a few needs, but those include a developmental left tackle and help along the defensive line - with emphasis on size/length.   Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch kill two birds with one stone by getting [player_tooltip player_id='1705963' first='Ronan' last='Crawford'], who has shown elite get-off as an edge but is the son of a former NFL tackle.   The West Linn star could develop into a bluechip recruit at either spot, and the 49ers have the time and patience to let him develop behind Trent Williams in this “totally unrealistic, but you get where I'm going with it,” timeline.    28. Houston Texans —WR [player_tooltip player_id='1613644' first='Presley' last='DeLance'], Lake Oswego (2028)   The Texans need help along the offensive line, but versatile, fast-rising weapon [player_tooltip player_id='1613644' first='Presley' last='DeLance'] is too good to pass up.   The fast-rising pass-catcher has recently added offers from Arizona and Boise State and is beginning to live up to all the potential.   As a 6-foot-4, 230-pound wide receiver/tight end, he's the perfect target for C.J. Stroud.     29. Kansas City Chiefs — TE [player_tooltip player_id='1242768' first='George' last='VanSandt'], Central Catholic   At pick No. 9, Kansas City drafted its heir apparent to Chris Jones in [player_tooltip player_id='1969806' first='Kitiona' last='Tupua'].   Here they get the replacement for aging (star) tight end Travis Kelce, selecting recent Arkansas Razorbacks commit Geoge VanSandt, who is a quality blocker and solid pass-catcher - with a growing understanding of where to sit in zone coverage.   30. Miami Dolphins — WR Keh'ano Corpuz, Graham-Kapowsin (2029)   The Dolphins have needs galore and can take “BPA.”   In this case, that's Graham-Kapowsin wide receiver/athlete Keh'ano Corpuz, who is a young playmaker who shows polish well beyond his years.   Miami gets a steal late in Round 1.    31. New England Patriots —TE/DE [player_tooltip player_id='1609596' first='Brady' last='Knips']. Tualatin (2028)    Tualatin's [player_tooltip player_id='1609596' first='Brady' last='Knips'] is quietly gaining steam as a potential bluechip recruit.    The 6-foot-5, 220-pound tight end/defensive end is emerging as a big-time talent and this is a big bet on his potential.   I'd rather be early than late, and PRZ is high on Knips.   32. Seattle Seahawks — LB [player_tooltip player_id='985511' first='Kaicen' last='Carter'], Federal Way (2028)   The defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks don't have a ton of needs, but could use another playmaker in the front-seven.   [player_tooltip player_id='985511' first='Kaicen' last='Carter'] doesn't have a lot of tape, but he's oozing with potential.   Seattle takes a flier on the local kid, who continues to stack up offers - Arizona State, Boise State, Minnesota, Washington and others.

The 2026 NFL Draft kicks off Thursday, changing the lives of soon-to-be-NFL players and the teams who select them.