The 2026 NFL Draft has barely wrapped, but Syracuse football is already making noise for 2027—and one Orange defender is turning heads before the season even kicks off.
Cornerback Chris Peal is generating serious early buzz, currently ranked No. 46 overall on the 2027 big board by the NFL Mock Draft Database. That puts him as the sixth-best cornerback in the class, with some early projections slotting him as a late first-round pick. Athlon Sports and Saturday Blitz have Peal going to the Seattle Seahawks in the 30s, while Bleacher Report sends him to the Detroit Lions at No. 26. The Sporting News is even higher, ranking Peal No. 19 on its Top 50 Big Board.
It’s early—May of 2025—but that hasn’t stopped our staff from weighing in on what this means for Syracuse’s future draft pipeline.
Are you surprised to see Peal listed as a potential first-round pick? Why or why not?
Kevin: Yes, I am. I saw Peal as a draft prospect, but first- or second-round projection is pretty surprising. He played well for the Orange last season, and it shows that scouts look beyond the team’s record when evaluating talent.
Dom: Absolutely. I expected him to be a shoo-in pick at some point in the draft, but buzz this high is great for him—and great for Syracuse. Considering he played sparingly in two years at Georgia and was largely underdiscussed during Syracuse’s 2025 campaign, I’m surprised in a good way. I’m excited to see him and Samuel Jr. in coverage, and I think team success will likely cement Peal as a top-64 pick.
What other players do you think are on track to be selected in the 2027 Draft?
Kevin: Quarterbacks are always hard to predict, and with Angeli coming off an injury and some questions about arm strength, I’ll go with Keyshawn Johnson. If he can show he can get to the passer at the Power Four level, someone will take a flier on him.
Dom: Sticking with offense and going deep into the well here, I’ve got a hot take: Syracuse could get two offensive linemen drafted in 2027. That might sound bold, but the unit has the potential to surprise.
For Orange fans, the message is clear: the 2027 draft class is already taking shape, and Syracuse is building something worth watching.