Projecting Round 1 of the 2027 NFL draft: Who are the early-pick QBs? Which prospects are on the rise?
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- Dante Moore (QB, Oregon) is projected as the No. 1 pick to the Cleveland Browns, who would acquire the top selection by sending Miami their first-round picks (Nos. 4 and 32), a 2027 fourth-round pick, and a 2028 second-round pick.
- Arch Manning (QB, Texas) is projected at No. 2 to the Arizona Cardinals, with veteran Jacoby Brissett's contract expiring after the 2026 season and third-round pick Carson Beck's presence not precluding a QB selection.
- CJ Carr (QB, Notre Dame) is projected at No. 3 to the Jets, completing a top three of all quarterbacks — a focal point the author attributes to the strength of this QB class.
- Jeremiah Smith (WR, Ohio State) is projected at No. 4 to the Miami Dolphins despite the trade-down, becoming their new go-to receiver at 6-foot-3, 225 pounds and a native of the area near Hard Rock Stadium.
- Dylan Stewart (Edge, South Carolina) and Colin Simmons (Edge, Texas) headline a deep edge-rusher class — Stewart with rare athletic tools despite only 4.5 sacks last season, and Simmons leading the SEC with 12 sacks.
- Leonard Moore (CB, Notre Dame) is projected at No. 7 to Carolina, coming off a five-interception season, as the Panthers potentially need a cornerback if Mike Jackson departs in free agency after 2026.
- The author based the 1-32 order on ESPN's Football Power Index projections and noted the mock will shift significantly between now and the April 2027 draft in Washington, D.C.
Why it matters: The Browns surrendering two first-rounders plus future picks to move up for a quarterback underscores how urgently Cleveland needs to resolve the Deshaun Watson situation, whose contract ends after 2026. With three quarterbacks occupying the top three selections, the 2027 class is shaping up as a defining QB draft where teams either land a franchise passer or fall further behind.
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