Everyone’s already got their eyes glued to the 2027 NFL Draft, especially with Texas’ Arch Manning and Oregon’s Dante Moore battling it out for those top quarterback spots. But here’s the kicker: NFL insiders are straight up saying both guys have serious improvements to make before they hear their names called.
Arch Manning’s Underneath Throws Could Cost Him Everything
You see the name Arch Manning, and you think blue-chip, right? Well, an NFC evaluator told ESPN’s Jordan Reid that Manning has “a lot to prove.” His 2025 campaign, with 3,163 yards, 26 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, looks solid on paper. But dig a little deeper. He posted a 61.4 percent completion percentage, which was the third-lowest among the SEC’s top 15 passers last season. That’s a huge flag. Insiders are pounding the table on his lower-body mechanics and his accuracy on those shorter throws. If he doesn’t clean up that “underneath accuracy,” as the evaluator put it, the Longhorns’ offense will keep struggling to sustain drives, and his draft stock could take a hit. “If he can clean up the lower-body mechanics and underneath accuracy, he has a chance to be the first one picked,” the evaluator said. That’s a big “if.”
Dante Moore’s Big Game Struggles Are Still Haunting His Draft Stock
Then there’s Oregon’s Dante Moore, who helped lead the Ducks to a sweet 13-2 record and a College Football Playoff semifinal appearance in 2025. That sounds awesome, but both of those losses? They came against Indiana, the eventual national champions. An NFC director of scouting told Reid, “He’s really good when he’s in-rhythm and not under constant duress.” The problem? We just didn’t see enough of that in those “big matchups,” specifically Iowa and Penn State. And his two clashes with Indiana? Oof. He threw for 471 yards, three touchdowns, and three picks combined against the Hoosiers. That’s not the kind of stat line you want from your franchise QB when the lights are brightest. The director of scouting is glad Moore returned for another season, saying, “we’ll get another season of tape on him and see him in those high-leverage moments again.” Talk about pressure.
Right now, the latest Bleacher Report mock draft has Manning going No. 3 overall and Moore at No. 4. That’s still ridiculously high, but the clock is ticking. This 2026 season for both of these guys isn’t just about winning games. It’s about proving they can fix those key weaknesses. If they do, that No. 1 spot for the 2027 draft is absolutely on the table. Every single snap is going to matter.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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