​It’s never too early to start preparing for the 2027 NFL draft, and CBS Sports has released a new one with an interesting position for Kentucky football tackle Lance Heard. The big left tackle has been rising up draft boards, and has launched all the way into round one.Analyst Mike Renner projects Heard to be picked by the Cincinnati Bengals with the No. 25 overall pick in round one. Heard would fit in on the Bengals’ line in the run game where he’s a certified people mover. He wouldn’t have to start right away with Orlando Brown Jr. under contract for two more seasons. With Brown’s play slipping from his peak, though, Heard would provide injury insurance in the meantime.Through four games this season, Heard has been one of the nation’s best left tackles. He has been solid as a pass protector, but dominant in run blocking, and was instrumental in Kentucky’s running backs rushing for 390 yards last week, and has helped the Wildcats have a strong run game all season.At the beginning of the season, Heard was mostly considered a mid-round pick, peaking in round three. It didn’t take long for him to move up. This article originally appeared on UK Wildcats Wire: Kentucky’s Lance Heard goes round one in new mock draft