Oregon quarterback Dante Moore is projected as the No. 1 overall pick in Mel Kiper Jr. and Field Yates’ just-released 2027 NFL Mock Draft, shockingly ahead of Texas signal-caller Arch Manning. Yes, you read that right. Ahead of Week 1 of the 2026 college football season, experts are already shaking things up with predictions nobody saw coming for the 2027 draft.
The Top 10 Takes Shape (Without Manning at the Top)
The full top 10 from Kiper and Yates’ latest mock is a wild ride, and it definitely puts some young QBs under the microscope. The Miami Dolphins are looking at Moore from Oregon for that No. 1 spot. Then it’s the New York Jets scooping up Arch Manning at No. 2. Wow, can you imagine Eli with the Giants and Arch with the Jets? Talk about a story! Cleveland gets CJ Carr, a QB out of Notre Dame, at No. 3. Rounding out the top picks for other teams we’ve got Jeremiah Smith, WR from Ohio State, to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 4, and Colin Simmons, Edge from Texas, going to the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 5. Tennessee snags Leonard Moore, CB from Notre Dame, at No. 6. The Carolina Panthers grab Dylan Stewart, Edge from South Carolina, at No. 7, and the New Orleans Saints pick Ellis Robinson IV, CB from Georgia, at No. 8. Atlanta takes Darian Mensah, QB from Miami, at No. 9, and the New York Giants close out the top 10 with Cam Coleman, WR from Texas.
Kiper Drops the Truth: Why These QBs Need to Step Up
Both Manning and Moore had a chance to jump into the 2026 NFL draft, but they both decided to return to college for more experience. Good call, apparently, because Kiper and Yates are both touting Texas and Oregon as national championship contenders this season. But here’s the kicker: Kiper says both these guys *have* to get better. He pointed out that while Moore is getting better, Manning specifically needs to improve his accuracy. Kiper didn’t hold back, saying Manning has to make precise and accurate throws, not just putting it “in the area” or missing easy opportunities. He’s gonna have tons of weapons at Texas, so there are “no excuses for Dante, there’s no excuses for Arch.” The pressure is definitely on these two to solidify their spots atop the 2027 draft board.
Another Mock, Another Story for Arch?
What’s even wilder is that Kiper and Yates aren’t the only ones shaking up the Manning narrative. B/R’s own NFL Scouting Department dropped their latest mock, and it has the Arizona Cardinals selecting Miami transfer quarterback Darian Mensah with the No. 1 pick! In that scenario, Arch Manning actually falls to the New York Jets at No. 3. Ouch. This 2026 college football season is going to be an absolute proving ground for every single one of these prospects. They’re all trying to pump up their draft stock before making the leap to the NFL next year, and we’ll be watching every snap.
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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