Whether it's a "way-too-early" mock draft or the final mock draft in late April, it's always about the quarterbacks. The last two years, we've seen four total quarterbacks go in Round 1 after six went in the first 12 picks in 2024. If the 2027 class plays out like we all expect, we could see four or five quarterbacks find their way into the first round.
Let's start at the top. I have Dante Moore going No. 1 overall in this exercise and it shouldn't be hard to see why. At points last fall, Moore was in the QB1 conversation, and he would've almost certainly been the No. 2 overall pick for the Jets had he not returned to Oregon.
The inertia for Arch Manning as QB1 feels all but unstoppable — fueled in part by the nonstop media momentum, as well as an NFL that sees bloodlines as a buffer against the inherent uncertainty that comes with identifying a franchise quarterback.
Then there's Jayden Maiava, who I thought might have been a first-rounder in '26 had he declared. Add names like Darien Mensah, CJ Carr and Drew Mestemaker — not to mention Julian Sayin, Trinidad Chambliss, John Mateer, Josh Hoover and Nico Iamaleava — and suddenly this class looks impossibly deep.
But before you go too far, it's worth reframing what this actually is: less a true mock draft and more a living watchlist — a snapshot of where things stand heading into the 2026 college football season. It's a collection of names, traits and possible trajectories to track as the fall reshapes everything.
Note: The draft order was determined using FanDuel Sportsbook's reverse Super Bowl odds. The Jets have three first-round picks: their own, the Cowboys' from the Quinnen Williams trade and the Colts' from the Sauce Gardner trade. The Cowboys have the Packers' selection from the Micah Parsons trade.
1. Miami Dolphins: Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
Moore would have been the No. 2 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft had he not decided to return to Oregon. He plays with high-end pocket composure, handles pressure well — and once the play breaks down, is elite out of structure. He showed up in big moments throughout the '25 season and he's my QB1 because he outplayed Arch Manning and every other QB in the '26 class.
2. New York Jets: Arch Manning, QB, Texas
Manning got off to a sluggish start in 2025 but finished strong. If he picks up where he left off late last fall, he'll be in the No. 1-overall-pick conversation. Again.
3. Arizona Cardinals: Jayden Maiava, QB, USC
Maiava was one of my favorite players to watch last season; he's a well-built, big-armed QB who shows good touch on layered throws, but needs to play with more consistency from start to finish.
4. Cleveland Browns: Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
Smith is better than Marvin Harrison Jr. coming out of Ohio State. And I'm guessing we'll be comparing him more to the likes of Julio Jones or Megatron by next spring.
5. Tennessee Titans: Colin Simmons, EDGE, Texas
Simmons can win with power, speed and twitch. He's a dominant force off the edge who can disrupt any offensive tackle.