The 2027 NFL Draft class is beginning to take shape, with quarterbacks Arch Manning and Dante Moore projected as the top two picks in a mock draft released ahead of the upcoming college football season. Four quarterbacks are anticipated to be selected in the first round, signaling a potential shift in NFL team strategies.
Manning, currently at Texas, is projected to be selected by the Arizona Cardinals with the No. 1 overall pick. The mock draft suggests the Cardinals, facing a challenging division and a subpar roster, could view Manning as a franchise-altering talent. Manning is expected to enter his second year as a starter and fourth overall in college football.
The Miami Dolphins are projected to take Oregon's Dante Moore with the second pick. The mock draft describes Moore as a more instinctive and accurate passer than Manning and a likely top-two selection, even if a trade-up is required. Moore is considered a blue-chip quarterback prospect.
Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is projected as the third overall pick to the New York Jets. Described as potentially the best player in the class, Smith possesses a frame, speed, and star power comparable to a young Julio Jones. The Jets are noted to have multiple first-round picks, providing them flexibility.
Other early projections include South Carolina edge rusher Dylan Stewart to the Cleveland Browns at No. 4, and Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore to the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 5. The Atlanta Falcons are projected to select Texas edge rusher Colin Simmons at No. 6, followed by Texas offensive tackle Trevor Goosby to the Tennessee Titans at No. 7.
The mock draft also highlights Texas wide receiver Cam Coleman to the Carolina Panthers at No. 8 and Georgia cornerback Ellis Robinson IV to the New Orleans Saints at No. 9. The New York Giants are projected to address their defensive line with Oregon's A'Mauri Washington at No. 10.
Texas features prominently in the early selections, with four Longhorns — Manning, Simmons, Goosby, and Coleman — projected among the first eight picks. This depth of talent from a single program leads the mock draft's author to pick Texas to win the national title.
The selection order for this mock draft is based on the inverse order of DraftKings' latest Super Bowl odds. The projections acknowledge that significant changes are expected as the college football season progresses and teams' needs evolve.