2027 NFL Mock Draft: Hawkeyes' Kade Pieper Headed to Ravens in First Round Projection
Iowa football fans have a new name to track in the 2027 NFL Draft conversation. Kade Pieper, the Hawkeyes' standout interior offensive lineman, is projected to land with the Baltimore Ravens at pick No. 29 in the latest mock draft from Sports Illustrated's John Damon.
The projection comes as the NFL season kicks off and college football enters its first full week of play. Damon's mock uses current FanDuel Super Bowl odds in reverse order to establish the draft order, giving a fresh look at how the 2027 first round could shake out.
Iowa's Pieper Following in Linderbaum's Footsteps
Pieper's projection to Baltimore carries extra weight given the Ravens' history with Iowa offensive linemen. Baltimore drafted Tyler Linderbaum in the first round back in 2022, and he went on to reset the center market in free agency this past offseason.
Damon notes that drafting Iowa offensive linemen tends to work out well for NFL teams, and Pieper appears next in line to uphold that standard. He's currently viewed as a potential top interior lineman in the 2027 class and the best center available.
Drafting Iowa offensive linemen works out more times than it doesn't for teams, and Pieper feels next in line to live up to that standard.
The Ravens are coming off a season where they lost Linderbaum and have been searching for long-term answers on the interior. Baltimore made some temporary moves this offseason, but Pieper could provide the stability the franchise needs up front.
Four Quarterbacks Open the Draft in Historic Projection
The mock draft makes history before Iowa's representative even comes off the board. For the first time ever, the first four picks of the NFL Draft are projected to be quarterbacks.
Arch Manning heads the class, landing with the Arizona Cardinals at No. 1 overall. The Texas quarterback and member of football's first family impressed in his first full season as a starter, showing why he's been hyped since high school.
Dante Moore of Oregon goes second to Miami, CJ Carr of Notre Dame lands with the Jets at No. 3, and Darian Mensah of Miami rounds out the historic quarterback run at No. 4 for Cleveland.
Jeremiah Smith Falls to Raiders as Best Prospect Available
Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is widely considered the best overall prospect in the class, but quarterback needs pushed him down to No. 5 overall. The Las Vegas Raiders scoop him up in what Damon calls a slam dunk pick.
Smith has been a generational talent since high school and could immediately transform the Raiders' offense alongside Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty.
Big Ten Presence Strong Throughout First Round
Beyond Pieper, several other Big Ten standouts appear in the first-round projection. Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin lands with Pittsburgh at No. 12, and USC quarterback Jayden Maiava goes to Minnesota at No. 15.
Indiana wide receiver Charlie Becker is projected to San Francisco at No. 25, while Indiana offensive tackle Carter Smith heads to Houston at No. 24.
What This Means for Iowa Football
Pieper's rise is a testament to Iowa's continued reputation as a pipeline for NFL offensive line talent. The Hawkeyes have produced numerous professional linemen over the years, and Pieper appears poised to continue that tradition.
His combination of technique, strength, and football IQ has scouts taking notice. If he maintains his trajectory through the 2026 season, Iowa could see another first-round selection on the offensive line.
Full First-Round Projection at a Glance
Here's how the complete first round shakes out in Damon's mock:
- 1. Arizona Cardinals: Arch Manning, QB, Texas
- 2. Miami Dolphins: Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
- 3. New York Jets: CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame
- 4. Cleveland Browns: Darian Mensah, QB, Miami
- 5. Las Vegas Raiders: Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
- 6. Tennessee Titans: Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame
- 7. New Orleans Saints: Colin Simmons, EDGE, Texas
- 8. Carolina Panthers: Dylan Stewart, EDGE, South Carolina
- 9. Atlanta Falcons: Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas
- 10. Washington Commanders: Cam Coleman, WR, Texas
- 11. New York Giants: Ellis Robinson IV, CB, Georgia
- 12. Pittsburgh Steelers: Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State
- 13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Will Echoles, IDL, Ole Miss
- 14. New York Jets (via IND): David Stone, IDL, Oklahoma
- 15. Minnesota Vikings: Jayden Maiava, QB, USC
- 16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jordan Seaton, OT, LSU
- 17. Chicago Bears: Kewan Lacy, RB, Ole Miss
- 18. New York Jets (via DAL/GB): Ashton Hampton, CB, Clemson
- 19. Cincinnati Bengals: Sammy Brown, LB, Clemson
- 20. Detroit Lions: Tae Johnson, SAF, Notre Dame
- 21. Dallas Cowboys: Zabien Brown, CB, Alabama
- 22. Philadelphia Eagles: Quincy Rhodes Jr., EDGE, Arkansas
- 23. Denver Broncos: Jamari Johnson, TE, Oregon
- 24. Houston Texans: Carter Smith, OT, Indiana
- 25. San Francisco 49ers: Charlie Becker, WR, Indiana
- 26. New England Patriots: Damon Wilson II, EDGE, Miami
- 27. Kansas City Chiefs: Ryan Coleman-Williams, WR, Alabama
- 28. Los Angeles Chargers: Ahmad Moten Sr., IDL, Miami
- 29. Baltimore Ravens: Kade Pieper, IOL, Iowa
- 30. Seattle Seahawks: Teitum Tuioti, EDGE, Oregon
- 31. Buffalo Bills: Matayo Uiagalelei, EDGE, Oregon
- 32. Cleveland Browns (via LAR): A'Mauri Washington, IDL, Oregon
What's Next for Iowa's Draft Prospects
As the college football season unfolds, Pieper will have every opportunity to solidify his first-round status. Iowa fans should keep a close eye on his performance in the trenches this fall.
The Hawkeyes have a history of developing NFL-ready offensive linemen, and Pieper's projection to Baltimore suggests that tradition remains strong. Whether he ends up with the Ravens or another team, Iowa could see its offensive line represented in the first round once again.