Way-Too-Early 2027 NFL Draft QB Rankings: Arch Manning, Dante Moore Lead Star-Studded Race

The 2027 NFL Draft class of quarterback prospects carries incredible promise as we begin the scouting process. The 2026 NFL Draft was viewed by scouts as a one-quarterback class, with Fernando Mendoza going No. 1 overall. The 2027 crop of signal-callers is seen as capable of producing upwards of five first-round selections.

Five quarterbacks made our way-too-early top 25 preseason rankings. As we enter the 2027 NFL Draft cycle, there are so many promising quarterbacks jockeying for positioning in a competitive class. Naturally, quarterbacks have produced more top-10 picks than any other position over the previous six drafts.

With that in mind, we've delivered our preseason top-10 quarterback rankings. Texas' Arch Manning and Oregon's Dante Moore are viewed as the overwhelming favorites to be the first two quarterbacks drafted. This list proves we're on the cusp of a significantly better class of quarterbacks compared to a lackluster 2026 group.

2027 NFL Draft Cycle: Way-Too-Early Top 10 Quarterbacks

10. Jayden Maiava, QB, USC

Lincoln Riley's quarterback-friendly scheme had Jayden Maiava playing high-level football at USC in 2025, as he finished with 3,711 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Maiava layered the football all over the field as an impressive three-level thrower. The Pālolo, Hawaii native stretched defenses vertically with consistent success. Maintaining poise and accuracy under pressure was an issue in 2025, his first complete season as a starter. The redshirt senior had a tendency of losing his mechanics in the pocket when pressured, with sloppy feet and a chaotic base leading to lowlights.

9. LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina

LaNorris Sellers is a traits-forward prospect with breathtaking size, athleticism, and arm strength. He did not meet expectations in 2025, as a rollercoaster season convinced him to return to school as opposed to declaring for the 2026 draft. Sellers' play is up-and-down with an over-reliance on a feast or famine approach. The high-level flashes are eye-popping, but creating better habits by taking less sacks and attempting fewer turnover-worthy throws are needed before he can be considered a potential NFL starter.

8. Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss

Trinidad Chambliss was a total revelation for Ole Miss last season. As a D-II transfer from Ferris State, he took over as an early-season starter and led the program to a College Football Playoff appearance. He even thrived under those bright lights, throwing for 362 yards and two touchdowns in a postseason victory over Georgia. Chambliss is an electric dual-threat prospect who flashed significant progress in 2025 despite his advancing age (2026 will be his sixth campaign). Taking what the defense gives him more consistently represents an area of growth.

7. Drake Lindsey, QB, Minnesota

We're including some projection by listing Drake Lindsey this high, but we believe in his natural talent while attempting to forecast a big season ahead. The Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback is a strong-armed thrower with outstanding size at approximately 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds. Lindsey concluded his first season as a starter with 2,382 passing yards, 18 touchdowns and six interceptions. His frame and gifted ability allows him to access all three levels of the field. The Fayetteville, Arkansas native possesses every trait needed to take a sizable step forward in 2026.

6. Darian Mensah, QB, Miami

The Miami Hurricanes helped Carson Beck and Cam Ward significantly improve their pre-draft stock following their transfer to the program and it could do the same for Darian Mensah. Mensah enjoyed an unbelievable season for the ACC champion Duke Blue Devils in 2025, throwing for 3,973 passing yards, 34 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He's a poised quarterback who confidently tests tight throwing windows. Developing a better feel in the pocket and cutting out some unnecessary turnovers (eight fumbles in 2025, five lost) are among his 2026 goals.

5. Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State

Drew Mestemaker went from unknown walk-on to absolutely thriving in a spread offense at North Texas, throwing for an FBS-high 4,379 passing yards, 34 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 2025. Coach Eric Morris has slowly become one of the better developers of quarterbacks in college football with names like Patrick Mahomes, Baker Mayfield, and Cam Ward on his resume. Mestemaker now follows Coach Morris to Oklahoma State, where he'll play on a highlighted stage that could allow him to establish himself as a first-round quarterback. Size, confidence, and arm talent are present in bunches.

4. Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State

Julian Sayin met expectations at Ohio State in 2025, finishing his first season as a starter with 3,610 passing yards, 32 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He operated Ryan Day's quarterback-friendly offense at a high level, completing an impressive 77% of his throws. Sayin distributes the football with terrific accuracy and ball placement. He took full advantage of the situation he found himself in. Scouts believe he has below-average size, and his arm strength and velocity aren't described as elite traits. More naturally gifted quarterbacks could pass him in these rankings when we deliver a midseason update.

3. CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame

CJ Carr was a first-year starter in 2025 who impressed by throwing for 2,741 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and six interceptions. Carr was fairly impressive from a mechanics standpoint when Notre Dame's offense was operating efficiently and on schedule. His inexperience showed under duress, where he'd get unpredictable in the pocket when under pressure. The redshirt sophomore has to do a better job limiting the forced plays when he'd simply be better off taking a sack or throwing the ball away. He's an intriguing prospect who needs to be reined in a little.

2. Dante Moore, QB, Oregon

Dante Moore probably would have been the No. 2 overall selection in April's draft had he declared. He posted elite stats at Oregon last season, throwing for 3,565 yards and 30 touchdowns while completing 71.8% of his attempts. Moore possesses a natural throwing motion with crisp lower-body mechanics that are routinely in sync with his upper half. He is a smooth pocket quarterback with enough mobility to escape pressure when necessary. Playing big-time football in the biggest of 2026 showcases could allow him to finish the season as the class' QB1.

1. Arch Manning, QB, Texas

The weight of Arch Manning's last name meant he entered his first season as a starter with borderline unfair expectations. That led to an initial narrative of disappointment, but the truth is he showed significant improvement down the stretch, like a young quarterback should. Manning concluded last season with 3,163 passing yards, 26 touchdowns and seven interceptions, and displayed athletic dual-threat ability, adding 399 rushing yards and 10 additional scores to his offensive totals. Manning accesses every level of the field with a strong throwing motion. Another year of developing his mechanics and progressions could establish him as QB1.

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