The 2027 NFL Draft may still be a year away, but the quarterback battle at the top is already heating up and there’s a brand-new name sitting ahead of the Manning dynasty.
According to the latest blockbuster mock draft released by On3 and based on projections from CBS Sports, Dante Moore has officially jumped Arch Manning as the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2027 NFL Draft a move that is already sending shockwaves through college football and NFL circles alike.
For months, many assumed Manning would eventually claim the top spot because of his famous last name, elite pedigree, and flashes of brilliance at Texas. But after an explosive season at Oregon, Moore has completely changed the conversation. And now, with NFL scouts already circling elite quarterback prospects for the future, the race to become the face of the 2027 draft class is officially underway.
Dante Moore Takes Over the No. 1 Spot
CBS Sports now projects the Miami Dolphins to select Moore with the first overall pick, citing his dominant 2025 season and overall development at University of Oregon as the key reasons behind the rise.
Moore’s transformation into a premier quarterback prospect didn’t happen overnight. After transferring to Oregon and thriving in the Ducks’ offensive system, he showcased elite arm strength, poise under pressure, and the ability to dissect defenses at every level of the field. Scouts were especially impressed by how consistently he delivered in big moments throughout the season.
CBS Sports even went as far as suggesting Moore would’ve been the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft had he declared early.
That’s an enormous statement considering how loaded recent quarterback classes have been.
The only major blemish on Oregon’s season came against the eventual national champions, but Moore’s overall body of work still elevated him above every other passer in the country.
And now, suddenly, the player many believed would forever live in Arch Manning’s shadow has stepped directly into the spotlight himself.
Arch Manning Isn’t Going Away
Even though Manning dropped to No. 2 in the mock draft, nobody around college football believes the race is over.
CBS Sports projects the New York Jets to land Manning with the second overall pick, and there’s still widespread belief that a huge 2026 season could easily push him back into the top spot.
Manning’s 2025 campaign started slower than many expected. There were moments when Texas fans questioned whether the hype had arrived too early. But by the end of the season, the former five-star quarterback looked much more comfortable commanding the offense.
His late-season surge reminded everyone exactly why he entered college football as one of the most heavily discussed quarterback prospects in modern recruiting history.
When Manning is playing confidently, the arm talent is obvious. The mobility is there. The football IQ is elite. And perhaps most importantly, he carries the calm demeanor NFL franchises desperately want in a franchise quarterback.
Now the pressure shifts to 2026.
If Manning opens the season the way he finished the previous one, the battle between him and Moore could dominate every Saturday headline in college football.
Quarterbacks Dominate the Top of the Draft
The biggest takeaway from the new mock draft is simple: quarterbacks are once again expected to dominate the early selections.
The first three picks are all quarterbacks.
After Moore and Manning come off the board, CBS Sports projects Jayden Maiava to land with the Arizona Cardinals at No. 3 overall.
Maiava’s rise has been one of the more fascinating stories in college football. Under offensive mastermind Lincoln Riley at University of Southern California, the quarterback flashed tremendous arm strength, touch, and creativity outside the pocket.
Scouts love his size and his ability to make layered throws into tight coverage. The biggest question surrounding Maiava remains consistency, but his ceiling is undeniable.
If Arizona eventually decides to move on from Kyler Murray, Maiava could become the next high-profile quarterback to take over the franchise.
Jeremiah Smith Continues to Terrify Defenses
While quarterbacks dominated the top three selections, the first non-quarterback off the board might actually be the most talented prospect in the entire draft class.
CBS Sports has Jeremiah Smith going No. 4 overall to the Cleveland Browns and analysts are already making comparisons that should terrify NFL defenses.
Smith is being compared to legendary receivers like Julio Jones and Calvin Johnson because of his rare blend of size, speed, explosiveness, and physical dominance.
Some evaluators even believe Smith is a better prospect than Marvin Harrison Jr. was coming out of Ohio State University.
That’s not praise NFL scouts hand out lightly.
If Smith continues producing at his current level, he may eventually force teams to reconsider the value gap between elite quarterbacks and truly generational receivers.
Texas Continues Producing NFL Talent
No program had a stronger presence in the mock draft than University of Texas.
Beyond Manning, two more Longhorn stars cracked the top 10.
At No. 5 overall, the Tennessee Titans are projected to select pass-rushing sensation Colin Simmons. Since arriving in Austin, Simmons has looked like a future NFL star. His combination of power, burst, and relentless motor has made him nearly unblockable at times.
Then at No. 6, the Las Vegas Raiders are projected to take offensive tackle Trevor Goosby.
Goosby remains somewhat raw technically, but scouts are obsessed with his size, athleticism, and long-term upside protecting the blindside.
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian has transformed the Longhorns into one of college football’s premier NFL pipelines, and this mock draft only reinforces that reality.
Defensive Monsters Flood the First Round
Elite pass rushers once again dominate the defensive side of the draft board.
At No. 7, the New Orleans Saints are projected to select Dylan Stewart, one of the most explosive defenders in the nation.
Stewart’s combination of strength, length, and suddenness has made him one of the most feared defenders in college football entering the 2026 season.
Meanwhile, teams throughout the first round continued targeting dominant defensive linemen and edge rushers, including:
- David Stone to the Atlanta Falcons
- Matayo Uiagalelei to the New York Giants
- Jordan Ross to the Jacksonville Jaguars
- Damon Wilson to the Denver Broncos
The message from NFL front offices remains clear: if you can consistently pressure quarterbacks, you’re going to get paid.
Miami and Notre Dame Keep Climbing
Two other programs that continue generating buzz are University of Miami and University of Notre Dame.
Miami quarterback Darien Mensah cracked the top 10, landing at No. 8 overall to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Hurricanes have suddenly become a quarterback development powerhouse after recent success stories involving Cam Ward and Carson Beck. Mensah now looks like the next name ready to explode nationally.
Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore also earned a top-10 projection, heading to the Carolina Panthers at No. 9.
Scouts love Moore’s versatility, smooth movement skills, and ability to play both outside corner and slot coverage at an elite level.
The Race Is Just Beginning
Of course, mock drafts this far out are never final predictions. Injuries happen. Breakout stars emerge. Seasons change everything.
But one thing is already obvious: the 2027 NFL Draft class has the potential to become one of the most talent-packed groups in recent memory.
The quarterback showdown between Dante Moore and Arch Manning alone could dominate headlines for the next year.
And if both players deliver monster seasons in 2026, NFL franchises may eventually face one of the toughest decisions in recent draft history.
Right now, though, the edge belongs to Dante Moore and college football has officially been put on notice.
