Previewing The 2027 NFL Draft QB Class: Arch Manning Leads A Loaded Group

All eyes are on the QBs heading into 2026-27 ahead of the 2027 NFL Draft, a group that can potentially break the record for the most players taken at the position in the first round of the draft. Arch Manning and Dante Moore headline this year’s star class of QBs, followed by an abundance of Heisman contenders who are all poised to lead their team on a run to the national title.

QBs To Watch For The 2027 NFL Draft

There is no shortage of QBs in the upcoming draft, giving teams potential hope of clawing their way back to relevancy should their selection pan out. From blue-chip prospects to multi-tool athletes, next year’s draft class may be one of the more exciting ones regarding franchise-changing selections.

Projected First-Round QBs

$tex.svg$ Arch Manning - Texas (Proj 1.02)

The name, the pedigree, the moxy. Arch Manning has all the traits a franchise could want with the skill to back it up. After a stunningly slow start to the season, Manning was able to find his footing the more he got integrated into the Texas Longhorns system, finishing the year with 3,163 yards and 26 TDs while adding another 399 yards and 10 TDs on the ground.

While the arm talent is certainly there, Manning has struggled with his consistency, completing just 61.4% of his passes. Heading into the 2026-27 season, Manning will need to quickly figure out how to connect with his WRs at a more consistent rate if he wants to be the 1.01 pick in next year’s draft, especially with the Longhorns drawing one of the tougher schedules in the nation, a slate that may keep them out of the playoffs.

Dante Moore - Oregon (Proj 1.01)

Manning’s regression will be Dante Moore’s gain, a serious contender to be the 1.01 pick and a top contender for the Heisman award. In his first year as the Oregon Ducks starting QB, Moore was efficient, ranking near the top of the board in EPA per play while throwing for 3,565 yards and 30 TDs.

What separates Moore from Manning is his consistency, completing nearly 72% of his passes. With the Ducks bringing back a majority of their skill players, Moore will have a great opportunity to build on his momentum while benefiting from a far more favorable schedule, giving him the edge he needs to leap over the Longhorns QB as the potential first overall pick in next year’s draft.

Julian Sayin - Ohio State (Proj 1.08)

One of the top finalists for the Heisman last year, Julian Sayin makes his return to Ohio State with all the tools he needs to pick up from where he left off. Sayin was surgical in the Buckeyes' system last year, completing 77.0% of his passes for 3,610 yards.

If Sayin wants to make a run to the top of the draft board, he will need to be far more efficient when facing off against top-tier defenses. In his last two games against Indiana and Miami, Sayin was sacked a combined 10 times while throwing three picks to his two TDs. If Sayin continues to stumble when the spotlight shines the brightest, we may see him slide on draft night.

CJ Carr - Notre Dame (Proj 1.09)

While Manning and Moore sit at the top of the oddsboard to be the number one overall pick, CJ Carr rivals them as one of the top contenders for the Heisman. One of my favorite picks to win the award next season, captaining an offense that is expected to pass at a higher rate while weaving through a very favorable schedule.

When allowed to air it out, Carr was productive, averaging nearly 10 yards per throw. Even with Jeremiyah Love gone, Carr is still surrounded by a deep group of skill players, making it easier to ward off any regression and string together his performances on a weekly basis.

Fringe Round One Talents In The 2027 NFL QB Class

Drew Mestemaker - Oklahoma State

After throwing for over 4,300 yards at North Texas, Drew Mestemaker is taking his talents to Oklahoma State to help strengthen his case for being a first-round selection in next year’s draft.

Darian Mensah - Miami

Another transfer, Darian Mensah will look to elevate Miami’s offense and help the Hurricanes make another run at the national championship.

LaNorris Sellers - South Carolina

A former betting favorite to be the 1.01 pick, LaNorris Sellers needs to round back into form if he wants to avoid falling out of the first round in next year's draft.

Published Jul 26, 2026, 4:00 AM ETUpdated Jul 26, 2026, 9:11 AM ET