2027 NFL Mock Draft Takes a Stunning Turn
The 2027 NFL Mock Draft picture is already changing dramatically, with three quarterbacks projected to come off the board with the first three selections. In the latest projection from ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid, the Cleveland Browns make an aggressive move to No. 1 overall and select Oregon quarterback Dante Moore, while Texas star Arch Manning goes second to the Arizona Cardinals and Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr lands with the New York Jets.
The projection is especially notable because earlier 2027 mock drafts frequently placed Manning at the top of the class. Dante Moore has also been a consistent contender for the No. 1 quarterback spot after choosing to return to Oregon rather than enter the 2026 NFL Draft.
That uncertainty makes the 2027 class one of the most intriguing quarterback groups to monitor as the 2026 college football season begins.
It is important to stress that this is a mock draft projection, not an actual trade or prediction of what NFL teams have decided. The draft order itself will change throughout the 2026 season, and the prospects still have an entire college season to reshape their evaluations.
2027 NFL Mock Draft: Browns Trade Up for Dante Moore
The biggest storyline in the latest 2027 NFL Mock Draft is Cleveland’s hypothetical move to the top of the board.
Reid’s projection has the Browns trading with the Miami Dolphins for the No. 1 overall pick. Cleveland would reportedly surrender its projected No. 4 and No. 32 selections, along with a 2027 fourth-round pick and a 2028 second-round selection.
The Browns would then use the No. 1 selection on Moore.
That would be an enormous investment in a quarterback, but the logic is straightforward. Cleveland could enter the 2027 offseason still searching for a long-term answer at the position, making a highly regarded young passer an obvious priority.
Moore also offers a compelling combination of accuracy, arm talent and pocket ability.
In his first full season as Oregon’s starter, Moore completed 71.8 percent of his passes for 3,565 yards, 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, according to reporting surrounding the latest projection.
Those numbers helped establish Moore as one of the premier quarterbacks in the upcoming class.
The decision to return to Oregon instead of entering the 2026 NFL Draft could ultimately become a major advantage. Another season of development gives Moore an opportunity to improve his processing and consistency while playing in a high-profile college environment.
Dante Moore vs. Arch Manning for No. 1
The most fascinating battle in the 2027 NFL Mock Draft cycle could be the race between Moore and Manning.
Both quarterbacks entered college football with enormous expectations, but they have followed somewhat different paths.
Manning arrived at Texas carrying the weight of one of football’s most famous quarterback surnames. As the nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning and grandson of Archie Manning, he has been under a microscope throughout his college career.
His first season as Texas’ full-time starter was not flawless. However, Manning finished the 2025 season strongly and showed the athletic ability, arm strength and playmaking potential that made him one of the most anticipated quarterback prospects in college football.
Manning completed 61.4 percent of his passes for 3,163 yards, 26 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 2025. He also added 399 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns.
That combination of passing and rushing ability gives Manning an unusually high ceiling.
Moore, meanwhile, has built his case around polished quarterback traits and strong production.
That is why the debate is far from settled.
Earlier mock drafts have placed Manning first overall, while other projections have preferred Moore. CBS Sports, for example, previously projected Manning No. 1 and Moore No. 2, while another CBS projection reversed the order and made Moore the first selection.
The 2026 college season could therefore determine which quarterback ultimately separates himself.
Arch Manning Lands With the Cardinals
In Reid’s latest projection, Manning does not have to wait long to hear his name.
The Arizona Cardinals select him at No. 2 overall.
The pairing makes sense from a roster-building perspective. Arizona has already invested in young talent but could still be searching for a definitive long-term quarterback solution when the 2027 draft arrives.
Manning would bring tremendous physical upside to the position.
He has the arm strength to attack every level of the field, mobility to extend plays and the pedigree that has made him one of the most recognizable prospects in the country.
Still, his 2026 season will be crucial.
NFL evaluators will want to see greater consistency, improved decision-making and continued development as a pocket passer. A dominant season could quickly push Manning back into the conversation as the favorite for the No. 1 overall selection.
The Cardinals could therefore be in position to land the quarterback who many analysts initially expected to go first.
CJ Carr Completes a Quarterback Top Three
The latest 2027 NFL Mock Draft also contains another major quarterback development.
Notre Dame’s CJ Carr is projected to go No. 3 overall to the New York Jets.
That means the first three picks would all be quarterbacks.
Carr does not carry the same level of national fame as Manning, but his early production has put him firmly into the first-round conversation.
As a redshirt freshman in 2025, Carr completed 66.6 percent of his passes for 2,741 yards, 24 touchdowns and six interceptions.
His projected destination is also intriguing.
The Jets have accumulated significant draft capital and have spent the offseason building toward a more competitive future. A young quarterback selected near the top of the 2027 draft could become the centerpiece of that rebuilding effort.
The fact that Carr is projected ahead of several other highly regarded quarterbacks demonstrates just how competitive the 2027 quarterback class could become.
Jeremiah Smith Could Be the Biggest Non-QB Prize
Although quarterbacks dominate the top of this 2027 NFL Mock Draft, Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith remains one of the most valuable players in the entire class.
Reid’s projection sends Smith to Miami at No. 4 after the Dolphins trade down from the top selection.
That is a potentially ideal outcome for Miami.
The Dolphins would lose the opportunity to select one of the top three quarterbacks, but they would gain significant draft capital while still landing a player viewed by Reid as the top overall talent in the class.
Smith has already produced at an extraordinary level in college football.
He recorded 87 receptions for 1,243 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2025 after catching 76 passes for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns the previous season.
Those numbers help explain why Smith is being discussed alongside the quarterbacks at the top of the draft.
If Miami believes Malik Willis can provide a short-term answer at quarterback, accumulating additional picks while adding Smith could be an attractive strategy.
The Projected Top Five
The latest projection gives the top five a particularly interesting shape:
- Cleveland Browns — Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
- Arizona Cardinals — Arch Manning, QB, Texas
- New York Jets — CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame
- Miami Dolphins — Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
- Las Vegas Raiders — Cam Coleman, WR, Texas
The projection also has several elite defensive prospects following the first five selections, including South Carolina edge rusher Dylan Stewart and Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore.
That balance is one reason scouts expect the 2027 class to be unusually deep.
Why the 2027 NFL Draft Could Be Special
The appeal of the 2027 NFL Mock Draft is not limited to three quarterbacks.
The class has potential stars at almost every premium position.
At quarterback, Manning, Moore and Carr headline the group, while other names could rise during the 2026 college season.
At wide receiver, Smith is already considered one of the elite prospects. Texas’ Cam Coleman is also projected inside the top five in Reid’s latest mock.
The defensive line and edge-rusher groups could be equally impressive. South Carolina’s Dylan Stewart and Texas’ Colin Simmons are among the young defensive stars expected to receive significant NFL attention.
Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore is another player who could challenge for a premium selection.
Because most of these players are still preparing for the 2026 college season, the draft picture remains highly fluid.
A breakout season can change everything.
What Could Change Before the 2027 NFL Draft?
Almost everything.
The current 2027 NFL Mock Draft should be viewed as an early snapshot rather than a final prediction.
The most obvious variable is quarterback performance.
If Manning has a spectacular 2026 season, he could regain the No. 1 spot across the industry. If Moore takes another major step at Oregon, his combination of production and passing ability could make him impossible to overlook.
Carr could also continue climbing if he performs at a high level against elite competition.
Then there is the issue of draft order.
No one knows which NFL teams will actually hold the first three selections in 2027. Injuries, free agency, trades and unexpected team performance will dramatically change the order.
That is why early mock drafts are more useful as scouting conversations than definitive forecasts.
Cleveland’s Bold Gamble Makes This Mock Stand Out
The most surprising element is still Cleveland’s hypothetical trade.
Giving up multiple premium selections to move from No. 4 to No. 1 would be expensive.
However, the price becomes easier to understand if the Browns believe Moore is a franchise quarterback.
Quarterbacks selected at the top of the NFL Draft can transform a rebuilding team. If Cleveland believes Moore has that potential, waiting for him to fall could be considered a bigger risk than paying the price to move up.
The Browns would also be betting on Moore developing into the best quarterback in the class.
That is the key question.
If Manning becomes the superior prospect, Cleveland could regret paying a massive premium for the No. 1 pick. If Moore emerges as the clear QB1, however, the trade could eventually look like a franchise-changing move.
The Quarterback Race Is Just Beginning
The latest 2027 NFL Mock Draft has created a fascinating early hierarchy: Moore at No. 1, Manning at No. 2 and Carr at No. 3.
But the order is anything but permanent.
Manning has the opportunity to strengthen his case at Texas. Moore can build on his impressive first season as Oregon’s starter. Carr can continue developing at Notre Dame and challenge the established top two.
Meanwhile, other quarterbacks will try to crash the party.
That competition is exactly what makes the 2027 NFL Draft cycle so compelling.
For now, the biggest takeaway is simple: the battle for the top pick may not be a foregone conclusion.
Dante Moore has entered the conversation.
Arch Manning remains firmly in it.
And CJ Carr is proving that the race could be bigger than anyone expected.
As the 2026 college football season approaches, every major performance will reshape the board.
The next version of the 2027 NFL Mock Draft could look completely different.
Sources and Further Reading
Primary source provided for this article: The New York Times / The Athletic source article
Additional reporting and draft context were cross-checked against ESPN-related reporting and other established NFL draft coverage.
For additional background on previous projections, readers can compare earlier 2027 mock drafts from CBS Sports and Pro Football Network.
