In the world of NFL scouting, the conversation almost always begins and ends with the quarterback position. Whether it is a preliminary watchlist or a final projection, the search for a franchise signal-caller dictates the flow of the draft. After a 2024 class that saw six quarterbacks taken in the first twelve picks, the subsequent years have seen a slight cooling. However, if the current trajectory of the 2027 class holds steady, we could be looking at another historic run on quarterbacks in the first round.
At the forefront of this discussion is Oregon’s Dante Moore. While some may find his projection at the top spot debatable, his talent level is undeniable. Moore has already flashed the traits of a top-tier NFL prospect, and had he opted for the draft earlier, he likely would have been a high-priority target for teams like the Jets. Instead, he returns to the college ranks to solidify his status as the premier passer in this cycle.
Following closely is Arch Manning, a player whose name carries immense weight due to his legendary football lineage. NFL front offices often view high-pedigree prospects as safer bets against the inherent volatility of the quarterback position. Beyond the big names, this class appears exceptionally deep, featuring talents like Jayden Maiava, Darien Mensah, and CJ Carr. While early depth often thins out as the grueling college season progresses, the current landscape suggests a target-rich environment for teams needing a reset under center.
It is important to view this exercise as a living document—a snapshot of the developmental trajectories and physical traits that scouts are monitoring heading into the next college football season. As history shows, from Caleb Williams to Jayden Daniels, the college season always produces a few surprises that shake up the first-round order. If the 2027 class fulfills its potential, it won’t just include quarterbacks; it will be defined by them.
1. Miami Dolphins Select Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
Dante Moore possesses the elite pocket poise and off-platform playmaking ability that NFL coordinators crave. His performance during the 2025 season showcased a player capable of rising to the occasion in high-leverage moments. By outplaying his peers in the 2026 class, Moore has established himself as a legitimate candidate for the first overall pick, offering a rare blend of structure and creativity.
2. New York Jets Select Arch Manning, QB, Texas
After a period of adjustment in 2025, Arch Manning finished his campaign with significant momentum. If he maintains that level of production into the upcoming season, his combination of physical tools and mental processing will make him a fixture in the “QB1” conversation. The Jets, looking for long-term stability, would find his upside difficult to pass on.
3. Arizona Cardinals Select Jayden Maiava, QB, USC
Jayden Maiava is a physically gifted passer with a live arm and the ability to layer throws into tight windows. While he needs to find a more consistent rhythm throughout four quarters, his ceiling is as high as any player in the class. In an offense that values verticality, Maiava’s arm talent makes him a top-five lock.
4. Cleveland Browns Select Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
Jeremiah Smith is a generational talent at the wide receiver position. Comparisons to Hall of Fame-caliber players like Julio Jones or Calvin Johnson are becoming common, as Smith demonstrates a rare combination of size, speed, and ball skills. He enters the draft process with a more polished profile than many of the legendary Ohio State receivers who preceded him.
5. Tennessee Titans Select Colin Simmons, EDGE, Texas
Colin Simmons is a disruptive force on the edge, winning with a sophisticated blend of power and twitch. His 2025 tape was a masterclass in pressuring the pocket, and as he continues to add mass to his frame, he should become an even more formidable run defender at the next level.
6. Las Vegas Raiders Select Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas
With a massive frame and high-end athletic markers, Trevor Goosby is the prototypical developmental left tackle. While he is still refining his technique against elite speed rushers, his ability to anchor against power is already at an NFL level. He provides the Raiders with a foundational piece for their offensive line.
7. New Orleans Saints Select Dylan Stewart, EDGE, South Carolina
Dylan Stewart is a high-effort defender who uses his length to dominate at the point of attack. He is particularly effective as a run stopper, but his suddenness as a pass rusher suggests he has the tools to become a consistent double-digit sack producer in the professional ranks.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers Select Darien Mensah, QB, Miami
A sturdy passer with impressive deep-ball accuracy, Darien Mensah is the latest in a line of productive Miami transfer quarterbacks. While he occasionally takes unnecessary risks to extend plays, his ability to execute intermediate and deep throws out of structure makes him a dynamic threat for any offense.
9. Carolina Panthers Select Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame
Leonard Moore is a fluid, long-limbed cornerback who excels in man-to-man coverage. His versatility to slide into the slot or play on the perimeter gives defensive coordinators significant flexibility. He consistently stays in phase with receivers and uses his length to disrupt the catch point.
10. Atlanta Falcons Select David Stone, DT, Oklahoma
David Stone is a high-motor interior defender who lives in the opponent’s backfield. His quick first step allows him to beat blockers across their face, making him a nightmare for interior offensive linemen. Stone’s ability to defend both the run and the pass from multiple alignments is highly valued.
11. New York Giants Select Matayo Uiagalelei, EDGE, Oregon
Matayo Uiagalelei possesses the heavy hands and power-based rush style that sets a physical tone for a defense. While scouts are looking for more flexibility and a wider array of pass-rush moves in the coming season, his raw physical tools suggest a player on the verge of a major breakout.
12. Minnesota Vikings Select CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame
CJ Carr operates with the efficiency of a veteran game manager, showing excellent touch and anticipation. He rarely puts the ball in jeopardy and possesses enough athleticism to create when the initial play breaks down. For a team like the Vikings, his steady hand and high floor are incredibly attractive.
13. Washington Commanders Select Cam Coleman, WR, Texas
Cam Coleman is a physical mismatch for most collegiate defensive backs. He combines elite contact balance with the route-running nuance typically seen in smaller players. After the catch, he becomes a punishing runner, making him a primary target in any offensive scheme.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Select Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State
Transitioning to Oklahoma State, Drew Mestemaker will face an increased level of competition that will test his decision-making. He has a powerful arm and can drive the ball into tight windows, but reducing turnovers will be the key to cementing his status as a first-round selection.
15. New York Jets Select A’Mauri Washington, DL, Oregon
A’Mauri Washington is an explosive interior lineman who wins with leverage and a quick burst. When he plays with a low center of gravity, he is nearly impossible to move, allowing him to disrupt gap schemes and collapse the pocket from the inside out.
16. Cincinnati Bengals Select John Henry Daley, EDGE, Michigan
John Henry Daley is a technician on the edge, utilizing superior hand placement and a signature spin move to bypass offensive tackles. He is equally disciplined against the run, showing the strength required to reset the line of scrimmage and dictate play.
17. Chicago Bears Select Caden Green, OL, Missouri
Caden Green offers a sturdy anchor and high-level football IQ. While he has the frame to play tackle, many scouts believe his ultimate home may be at guard, where his power and awareness can be maximized in both pass protection and the run game.
18. Jacksonville Jaguars Select Jordan Ross, EDGE, LSU
Jordan Ross is a low-slung, powerful edge rusher who excels at getting under the pads of offensive linemen. His lateral agility allows him to redirect quickly in pursuit, making him an effective defender against modern mobile quarterbacks and outside run schemes.
19. New York Jets Select Charlie Becker, WR, Indiana
Charlie Becker is a massive target who specializes in contested-catch situations. His ability to contort his body in the air allows him to haul in passes that few other receivers can reach. He provides the Jets with a reliable “X” receiver who can win at all levels of the field.
20. Houston Texans Select Quincy Rhodes, EDGE, Arkansas
Quincy Rhodes is a versatile defensive chess piece with a rare combination of size and speed. He can line up in multiple spots across the front, using his sheer power to overwhelm blockers or his athleticism to chase down plays from the backside.
21. Philadelphia Eagles Select Carter Smith, OT, Indiana
Carter Smith is a high-upside left tackle prospect with natural movement skills. While he is still working on the technical nuances of handling elite speed, his physical profile suggests he could develop into a top-tier blindside protector in the NFL.
22. Denver Broncos Select Damon Wilson II, EDGE, Miami
Damon Wilson II is a “straight-line” rusher who wins with explosive downhill momentum. He lacks the bend of some of his peers, but his ability to convert speed to power makes him a constant threat to offensive tackles who struggle with heavy-handed rushers.
23. Dallas Cowboys Select Kade Pieper, OL, Iowa
Kade Pieper is an athletic interior lineman who thrives in zone-blocking schemes. As he continues to build his functional strength, his ability to move in space and identify blitzers will make him one of the most coveted interior offensive linemen in the 2027 draft class.
24. New England Patriots Select Ryan Coleman-Williams, WR, Alabama
After a somewhat inconsistent 2025 season, Ryan Coleman-Williams is looking to recapture the dominant form he showed as a freshman. If he can return to being a consistent deep threat and explosive playmaker, he has the potential to challenge for the top wide receiver spot.
25. Detroit Lions Select Clev Lubin, EDGE, Louisville
Clev Lubin is a hybrid defender who fits perfectly into the “positionless” defensive trends of the NFL. He has the power to rush the passer and the discipline to set the edge, but his ability to drop into coverage sets him apart from traditional defensive ends.
26. San Francisco 49ers Select Terrance Carter Jr., TE, Texas Tech
Terrance Carter Jr. is a dynamic threat at the tight end position, running like a power back once he has the ball in his hands. He stretches the field vertically and shows a high level of effort as a blocker, making him an ideal fit for a multi-faceted offensive attack.
27. Kansas City Chiefs Select Jordan Seaton, OT, LSU
Jordan Seaton is a massive offensive tackle who surprisingly excels in space. His lateral mobility allows him to reach the second level with ease, and his heavy hands make it difficult for pass rushers to disengage once he initiates contact.
28. Los Angeles Chargers Select Ellis Robinson IV, CB, Georgia
Ellis Robinson IV is a physical, high-IQ cornerback who excels in man-to-man situations. He has an innate ability to read the quarterback’s eyes and jump routes, making him a consistent threat to create turnovers in the secondary.
29. Baltimore Ravens Select Will Echoles, DL, Ole Miss
Will Echoles is a disruptive interior presence who plays with a low center of gravity. His surprising “twitch” allows him to penetrate gaps and disrupt the mesh point, making him a valuable asset for any defense looking to stop the run internally.
30. Buffalo Bills Select Zabien Brown, CB, Alabama
Zabien Brown is a technically sound cornerback with the size to match up against the NFL’s bigger wide receivers. Whether playing in press-man or off-coverage, he remains patient and uses his physical tools to dominate the catch point.
31. Seattle Seahawks Select Nick Marsh, WR, Indiana
Nick Marsh is a large-framed wide receiver with exceptional contested-catch ability. While he may not be a burner on vertical routes, his ability to create separation at the route stem and shield defenders with his body makes him a reliable chain-mover.
32. Los Angeles Rams Select Ahmad Hardy, RB, Missouri
Ahmad Hardy is a “one-cut” runner who thrives in outside zone schemes. His low center of gravity makes him incredibly difficult to tackle on the first attempt, and he possesses the breakaway speed to turn small gains into long-distance touchdowns.
The 2027 NFL Draft is shaping up to be a defining moment for teams in search of high-impact talent across the board, specifically at the quarterback and edge rusher positions. While these rankings will undoubtedly shift as the 2026 college football season unfolds, the physical traits and early production of these prospects provide a clear glimpse into the future of the league. Monitoring the development of players like Dante Moore and Arch Manning will be the primary storyline of the next year, as their performance will dictate the draft strategy for quarterback-needy franchises across the NFL.
