Predicting the NFL Draft is an exercise in volatility, especially when looking years into the future. While the 2024 draft famously featured six quarterbacks in the top twelve picks, subsequent years saw a dip in signal-caller volume. However, the 2027 class is shaping up to be a return to form. We are currently tracking a group that could easily see five quarterbacks taken in the opening round, provided their development stays on its current trajectory.
At the forefront of this discussion is Dante Moore. Currently projected as the top overall prospect, Moore possesses the pocket poise and off-platform playmaking ability that NFL front offices covet. He chose to return to Oregon rather than enter the previous cycle, where he likely would have been a top-two selection. Right behind him is Arch Manning, a player whose recruitment and lineage have created a level of media gravity rarely seen in college sports. Beyond the name, Manning’s late-season performance in 2025 has solidified his status as a legitimate contender for the top spot.
The depth doesn’t stop there. Names like Jayden Maiava, Darien Mensah, and CJ Carr represent a diverse range of styles, from big-armed vertical passers to efficient game managers. While it is still early, and the upcoming college football season will inevitably shuffle the deck, this “living watchlist” provides a snapshot of the elite talent currently rising through the ranks. As we saw with players like Jayden Daniels, there will always be a late riser who crashes the first-round party, but for now, these are the prospects defining the 2027 conversation.
1. Miami Dolphins: Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
Dante Moore stands out as the premier quarterback in this cycle. His composure within the pocket is advanced for his age, allowing him to navigate pressure with ease. Moore excels when the initial play design breaks down, showing an elite ability to create yardage out of structure. His performance during the 2025 season cemented his status as QB1, outshining his peers in high-stakes environments.
2. New York Jets: Arch Manning, QB, Texas
After a measured start to the 2025 campaign, Arch Manning found his rhythm and finished the year on a high note. If he maintains that momentum through the upcoming season, the debate for the first overall pick will be a toss-up. Manning combines a classic frame with the football IQ expected of his pedigree, making him a cornerstone prospect for a franchise like the Jets.
3. Arizona Cardinals: Jayden Maiava, QB, USC
Maiava is a physically gifted passer with the arm strength to test every level of the defense. He shows impressive touch on intermediate, layered throws that require both power and finesse. The next step in his evolution is finding more consistent play from snap to snap, which could elevate him into the elite tier of draft prospects.
4. Cleveland Browns: Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
Jeremiah Smith is a rare wide receiver prospect who appears even more polished than previous Buckeyes stars. With a physical profile and catch radius reminiscent of legendary wideouts like Julio Jones, Smith is expected to be the centerpiece of an NFL passing attack. He is a mismatch nightmare for any cornerback at the collegiate level.
5. Tennessee Titans: Colin Simmons, EDGE, Texas
Simmons was a disruptive force throughout 2025, winning matchups with a lethal combination of explosive speed and functional power. His ability to transition from speed to power makes him difficult to block in isolated situations. Expect his technical refinement to only improve as he prepares for the professional level.
6. Las Vegas Raiders: Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas
Possessing a massive frame and high-end athletic traits, Goosby is the prototypical developmental tackle that NFL scouts love. While he is still refining his footwork against elite speed rushers, his ability to anchor against power is already at an NFL level. He provides the Raiders with a high-ceiling protector on the edge.
7. New Orleans Saints: Dylan Stewart, EDGE, South Carolina
Stewart is a tenacious defender who uses his length to dominate the point of attack. He is equally effective against the run as he is rushing the passer, frequently collapsing the pocket through sheer explosiveness. His suddenness off the ball allows him to disrupt plays before they can fully develop.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers: Darien Mensah, QB, Miami
Mensah is a sturdy passer with the arm talent to drive the ball into tight windows. He is particularly effective on second-level throws and can deliver accurate strikes while on the move. While his aggressiveness sometimes leads to unnecessary risks, his ceiling as a vertical playmaker makes him an intriguing fit for the Steelers’ offensive philosophy.
9. Carolina Panthers: Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame
Moore is a fluid, versatile defensive back who can erase receivers both on the perimeter and in the slot. His length allows him to be disruptive at the catch point, and his smooth transitions keep him in phase throughout the route. This versatility makes him a Day 1 starter in various defensive schemes.
10. Atlanta Falcons: David Stone, DT, Oklahoma
A relentless interior defender, Stone plays with a high motor and quick feet that allow him to penetrate gaps. He is a consistent presence in the opponent’s backfield, often shedding blocks early to stuff the run or pressure the quarterback. His ability to line up in multiple techniques adds significant value to the Falcons’ front.
11. New York Giants: Matayo Uiagalelei, EDGE, Oregon
Uiagalelei wins with a physical style of play and a motor that never quits. While he may lack the extreme “bend” of some speed rushers, he compensates with overwhelming power and leverage. NFL teams will be looking for him to expand his pass-rush repertoire in the coming season to solidify his first-round stock.
12. Minnesota Vikings: CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame
CJ Carr is a high-IQ quarterback who specializes in efficiency and ball security. He excels as a game manager who can still deliver deep balls with touch and anticipation. His ability to make plays out of structure adds a layer of modern athleticism to his steady, reliable approach to the position.
13. Washington Commanders: Cam Coleman, WR, Texas
Coleman is a physically imposing receiver who combines strength with surprising agility. He is a threat after the catch, using elite balance to bounce off defenders and extend plays. Despite his size, he runs nuanced routes that allow him to create separation against a variety of coverages.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State
Mestemaker possesses a live arm and the ability to work through full-field progressions. After transferring to a higher level of competition at Oklahoma State, all eyes will be on his decision-making. If he can reduce his turnover rate while maintaining his aggressive downfield passing, he could climb draft boards rapidly.
15. New York Jets (via Colts): A’Mauri Washington, DL, Oregon
Washington is an athletic interior lineman who thrives on disruption. When he plays with low leverage, he is nearly impossible to move off his spot. His burst off the snap allows him to split double teams and create chaos in the backfield, making him a perfect fit for a penetrating defensive front.
16. Cincinnati Bengals: John Henry Daley, EDGE, Michigan
Daley is a technician on the edge, using superior hand placement to neutralize offensive tackles. He features an elite spin move that catch blockers off guard, and he has the functional strength to hold his own against the run. He is a well-rounded prospect with a high floor.
17. Chicago Bears: Caden Green, OL, Missouri
Green offers a reliable anchor in pass protection, showcasing the awareness needed to handle complex blitz packages. While he has played tackle, many scouts believe his future lies at guard, where his power and stability can be maximized in a phone booth. He is a cornerstone for any offensive line rebuild.
18. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jordan Ross, EDGE, LSU
Ross is a compact, powerful edge defender who uses a low center of gravity to get underneath the pads of blockers. His lateral agility makes him effective in pursuit, and he is particularly stout against tight ends in the run game. He provides the Jaguars with a physically dominant presence on the outside.
19. New York Jets (via Cowboys): Charlie Becker, WR, Indiana
Becker is a large-framed target who emerged as a reliable playmaker in late 2025. He specializes in contested catches, using his body to shield defenders and high-point the ball. His ability to make difficult, acrobatic catches look routine makes him a favorite target in the red zone.
20. Houston Texans: Quincy Rhodes, EDGE, Arkansas
Rhodes is a unique physical specimen, offering the size of an interior lineman with the movement skills of a traditional edge rusher. This versatility allows defensive coordinators to use him as a chess piece. He is a brick wall against the run and generates significant bull-rush power.
21. Philadelphia Eagles: Carter Smith, OT, Indiana
Smith is an athletic left tackle who excels in the run game, moving defenders with ease. While he is still developing his technique against elite speed rushers, his natural movement skills and frame provide a high ceiling. He fits the mold of the athletic blockers the Eagles typically covet.
22. Denver Broncos: Damon Wilson II, EDGE, Miami
Wilson is a downhill attacker who closes the gap on quarterbacks with impressive closing speed. He relies on a power-based approach, using leverage to drive blockers into the backfield. While he isn’t the most flexible rusher, his sheer force makes him a consistent threat.
23. Dallas Cowboys (via Packers): Kade Pieper, OL, Iowa
Pieper is a refined interior prospect who fits perfectly into zone-blocking schemes. He is technically sound in pass protection and shows the mobility to reach the second level on run plays. As he adds functional strength, he could develop into one of the top centers or guards in the class.
24. New England Patriots: Ryan Coleman-Williams, WR, Alabama
After a stellar freshman campaign, Coleman-Williams is looking to reclaim his dominant form. He possesses top-tier speed and playmaking ability that can stretch a defense vertically. If he can find consistency in the coming season, he has the talent to be one of the first receivers off the board.
25. Detroit Lions: Clev Lubin, EDGE, Louisville
Lubin is a versatile hybrid defender who can rush the passer or drop into coverage with equal effectiveness. This “positionless” quality is highly valued in modern NFL defenses. He plays with the discipline required to seal the edge against the run while offering a sudden burst as a rusher.
26. San Francisco 49ers: Terrance Carter Jr., TE, Texas Tech
Carter Jr. is a vertical threat at tight end who runs like a much smaller player in the open field. He is a matchup nightmare for linebackers and safeties, offering big-play potential every time he touches the ball. His commitment to blocking makes him a three-down asset for the 49ers.
27. Kansas City Chiefs: Jordan Seaton, OT, LSU
Seaton is an exceptionally mobile tackle for his size, moving with a lightness that belies his thick build. He is excellent in space, making him a valuable asset on screens and outside runs. Once he locks his heavy hands onto a defender, the rep is usually over.
28. Los Angeles Chargers: Ellis Robinson IV, CB, Georgia
Robinson is a confident, physical corner who excels in man-to-man coverage. He has a natural feel for the ball and is consistently disruptive at the catch point. His technical proficiency allows him to play on an island against the opposition’s top receiving threats.
29. Baltimore Ravens: Will Echoles, DL, Ole Miss
Echoles is a powerful interior presence who functions as a “human bulldozer.” He plays with a low center of gravity that makes him difficult to move, yet he possesses enough twitch to slip through gaps and finish plays in the backfield.
30. Buffalo Bills: Zabien Brown, CB, Alabama
Brown is a technically sound cornerback who uses his size to dictate terms to receivers. He is reliable in both man and zone schemes, showing the ability to mirror routes and react quickly to the ball. He provides a steady, physical presence in the secondary.
31. Seattle Seahawks: Nick Marsh, WR, Indiana
At 6-foot-3, Marsh is a massive target who uses his frame to win in contested situations. While he may not be a burner, his ability to create yardage after the catch and his crisp route-running make him a chain-moving threat. He is an ideal replacement for physical outside receivers.
32. Los Angeles Rams: Ahmad Hardy, RB, Missouri
Hardy is a “one-cut” runner who thrives in outside zone schemes. His low center of gravity makes him incredibly elusive and difficult to tackle on the first attempt. Once he reaches the second level, he has the breakaway speed to turn short gains into touchdowns.
2027 NFL Draft Outlook
While the draft order and prospect rankings will fluctuate wildly over the next twelve months, the 2027 class is clearly defined by its high-end quarterback potential and a deep pool of defensive line talent. The presence of franchise-altering passers like Dante Moore and Arch Manning ensures that the top of the draft will be high-stakes, while the depth at wide receiver and edge rusher provides value throughout the first round. As the 2026 college football season unfolds, these prospects will have the opportunity to solidify their standing as the next generation of NFL stars.
