Teams Projecting Mensah to the 1st Round

Over the past three seasons of college football, Darian Mensah has been a consistent point-producer and has elevated his team at each of the three programs he has played with. This season, Mensah is off to a prolific start with the Miami Hurricanes completing 89 percent of his passes for 1,211 yards with 14 touchdowns and zero interceptions. As a junior, Mensah is getting graded for the 2027 NFL Draft by scouts. In speaking with sources at multiple teams, they are projecting Mensah to have a starter grade and be a first-round pick next April.

Sources at multiple teams said they liked Mensah’s accuracy and poise. Mensah is listed at 6-foot-3, 205 pounds, and sometimes the listed numbers are inaccurate and inflated, but team sources who have seen Mensah in person say his size is fine and not a problem for the NFL.

“He’s poised with good command and accuracy,” said an AFC national scout. “Don’t think the arm is high end but won and produced everywhere. Somewhat similar to Bryce Young and is bigger. Not quite the improviser or brain of Bryce, but similar.”

In 2024, Mensah had a good season as Tulane's starting quarterback, completing 66 percent of his passes for 2,723 yards with 22 touchdowns and six interceptions. That led to Mensah getting big money from Duke in the transfer portal. In 2025 with the Blue Devils, Mensah completed 67 percent of his passes for 3,973 yards with 34 touchdowns, six interceptions, and one rushing touchdown. After his sophomore year, Mensah hit the portal again and landed with the Miami Hurricanes as the replacement for Carson Beck.

Sources say that if Mensah stays consistent, they think he could go high in the first round. However, it is still early in the process, as the college football season hasn't reached the halfway point. In my latest 2027 NFL Mock Draft, I have Mensah going off the board quickly and team sources think Mensah will have a starter grade and be a first-round pick next April.