Cayden Green — 2027 NFL Mock Draft Roundup 1.0

Green is still only 21 years old yet enters the upcoming season with about three years of starting experience on the offensive line. He starred at left tackle last year after previously starting at left guard for Missouri and beginning his college career at Oklahoma, where he started five games as a true freshman. He is one of the youngest and most gifted blockers in college football, showing impressive initial quickness and agility for someone listed at 6-foot-5, 324 pounds.

Green is a stout pass protector who can handle duties inside and out and keep Josh Allen's exit strategies viable when he needs to go off-script.

Green plays with a sturdy anchor against power rushers, and while he needs to play with lower pads in the run game, his high-level awareness makes him a reliable blindside protector whose NFL future could be inside at guard.

The Lions addressed their need at tackle by drafting Blake Miller in the first round last week, but guard remains one of their biggest question marks. Green shifted to tackle last season, but his long-term NFL outlook is at guard. He's a physical presence at 6-foot-5, 324 pounds who is able to latch onto defenders to create run lanes. Green makes good initial hand contact in pass protection but still needs to improve his strike timing. His mobility was limited last season because of a foot injury, so that's worth watching this upcoming season.

Green allowed just seven pressures last season and has proven ability at both tackle and guard. These tackle prospects are lining up for first-round evaluations, and the vast majority play in college football's most competitive conferences. Green will face as many as five preseason top-15 teams next season, including Colin Simmons' Texas.