The Athletic recently released its first in-season mock of the 2027 NFL Draft, projecting how the first round might play out in next spring’s draft.

Three Clemson players landed in The Athletic’s 2027 NFL mock draft written by Nick Baumgardner.

Cornerback Ashton Hampton, linebacker Sammy Brown and edge rusher Will Heldt are all currently projected as first-round picks.

In the mock draft, Hampton is the first Tiger to come off the board, going to the New York Jets with the No. 17 overall pick.

So far this season, the junior has posted 19 total tackles (0.5 for loss), nine pass breakups and an interception in five games. He entered Clemson’s open date in Week 6 leading the country in passes broken up.

Hampton broke out during his freshman campaign in 2024, when he earned freshman All-America honors. He followed up his debut season with a strong sophomore season in 2025, locking down a key role in the secondary.

“There’s a fair chance we see New York find a way to package some of its picks to move up in Round 1 next spring, be it for the front office’s QB of choice or just another top-end talent,” Baumgardner wrote.

“The most productive corner in Power 4 football, Hampton (6-3, 204) has forced 10 incompletions, broken up nine passes and made three run stops this season. His speed won’t blow anyone away, but his ability to disrupt receivers might remind you a bit of new Cowboys corner Joey Porter Jr.”

Brown is projected to be selected three picks later, as the No. 20 overall selection of the Cincinnati Bengals.

Through five games, the junior ranks third on the Tigers with 40 total tackles. He has recorded two tackles for loss, a sack and a pass breakup.

A former five-star prospect in the 2024 recruiting class and a high school Butkus Award winner, Brown earned freshman All-America honors in his debut season in 2024 while also being named the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year. He continued to be a force on Clemson’s defense as a sophomore last season, when he was a third-team All-America selection by Phil Steele, as well as a first-team All-ACC honoree.

“A true sideline-to-sideline linebacker, Brown (6-1, 234) is one of the fastest defenders in the class (4.41-second 40-yard dash, 38-inch vertical),” Baumgardner wrote. “He is a very disruptive presence — and he could go even higher than this if he cleans up his tackling.”

Rounding out the trio of Tigers in The Athletic’s mock draft is Heldt, who is projected to be taken by the Chicago Bears with the No. 25 overall pick.

The senior leads Clemson in tackles for loss (6.5) and sacks (four) through five games, while tallying 17 total tackles.

Heldt transferred to Clemson following two productive seasons at Purdue and earned third-team All-ACC honors in his first season as a Tiger in 2025, when he led Clemson in both sacks and tackles for loss while finishing fourth on the team (and first on the defensive line) in tackles.

“Heldt (6-7, 260) has a near-ideal build for a true three-down edge,” Baumgardner wrote. “He plays with active hands and burst off the ball, and he has picked up 19 pressures and four sacks this season, with a 15.4 percent win rate.”

The 2027 NFL Draft is scheduled to take place from April 29 to May 1 in Washington, D.C.