Texas quarterback Arch Manning and Oregon signal-caller Dante Moore lead the top five prospects for the 2027 NFL Draft, according to ESPN analysts Matt Miller and Jordan Reid. As college football teams begin summer workouts, scouts are tracking a high-ceiling group of quarterbacks whose collegiate performance this fall will dictate their draft stock and professional future.
Who are the top quarterback prospects for the 2027 NFL Draft?
ESPN’s Matt Miller and Jordan Reid have identified a consensus top two, with Arch Manning and Dante Moore holding the first and second spots respectively. While evaluators remain split on the depth of the class, the 2026 season serves as the primary evaluation window for these players. According to Miller and Reid, the current top five rankings are as follows:
- Arch Manning (Texas): Ranked QB1 by both Miller and Reid.
- Dante Moore (Oregon): Ranked QB2 by both Miller and Reid.
- Drew Mestemaker (Oklahoma State): Ranked QB3 by Miller; QB5 by Reid.
- CJ Carr (Notre Dame): Ranked QB4 by both Miller and Reid.
- Darian Mensah (Miami): Ranked QB5 by Miller; QB3 by Reid.
Darian Mensah’s transfer to Miami follows a highly productive campaign at Duke, where he recorded 34 touchdowns and nearly 4,000 passing yards. His move to a national championship-caliber program is a major variable for scouts assessing his NFL readiness.
How do evaluator rankings differ on transfer portal prospects?
The rankings highlight a notable disparity in how evaluators view transfer portal talent. Matt Miller and Jordan Reid disagree on the placement of Darian Mensah and Drew Mestemaker. Miller positions Mestemaker as his QB3, while Reid places him at QB5. Conversely, Reid ranks Mensah as his QB3, two spots higher than Miller’s QB5 placement.
This variance stems from the different environments these players are entering. Mestemaker, who led the FBS with 4,379 passing yards at North Texas, is moving into the Big 12. Scouts are looking for consistency as these players adjust to new coaching staffs and elevated competition levels.
Why is the 2026 college football season critical for these QBs?
The 2026 season provides the final extended look for NFL front offices before these players become eligible for the draft. For players like CJ Carr, who finished the 2025 season with 10 consecutive wins for Notre Dame, the goal is sustained production. Carr completed 66.6% of his passes last year, and scouts are looking to see if he can replicate that efficiency as a redshirt sophomore.
For Arch Manning, the 2026 season is about building on his momentum at Texas. Despite an inconsistent start to the 2025 campaign, Manning finished the year with 3,163 passing yards and 26 touchdowns. Maintaining that trajectory is essential to securing his position as the top prospect in the class.
When tracking draft prospects, monitor “strength of schedule” metrics. A quarterback’s efficiency against top-25 defenses often carries more weight for NFL evaluators than raw yardage totals against lower-tier opponents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the consensus No. 1 quarterback prospect for 2027?
Arch Manning of Texas is the consensus No. 1 quarterback prospect according to both Matt Miller and Jordan Reid of ESPN.
Which quarterback led the FBS in passing yards last season?
Drew Mestemaker led the FBS with 4,379 passing yards while playing for North Texas before transferring to Oklahoma State.
Why are NFL evaluators watching the transfer portal so closely?
The transfer portal allows prospects like Darian Mensah and Drew Mestemaker to move into high-profile programs, providing scouts with a better baseline of how these players perform against elite talent and within different offensive systems.
Which of these quarterbacks do you think will have the biggest breakout season in 2026? Share your thoughts in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for weekly updates on the road to the 2027 NFL Draft.
