New 2027 NFL Mock Draft Drops by ESPN Expert, Where Do Arch Manning, Dante Moore & Top Stars Land?

For the second successive offseason, Texas quarterback Arch Manning appears to have the inside track on the No. 1 pick in next year's draft.

ESPN's Jordan Reid dropped his early 2027 mock on Thursday, with Manning going first overall to the Arizona Cardinals. He was one of three quarterbacks inside the top four selections.

Jordan Reid 2027 Mock — Top 10

Pick	Player
1. Cardinals	Arch Manning, QB, Texas
2. Dolphins	Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
3. Jets	Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
4. Browns	CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame
5. Raiders	Cam Coleman, WR, Texas
6. Falcons	Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas
7. Titans	Jordan Seaton, OT, LSU
8. Panthers	Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame
9. Saints	Dylan Stewart, Edge, South Carolina
10. Giants	Ellis Robinson IV, CB, Georgia

The Athletic's Dane Brugler also had Manning as the first player off the board, with Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and Oregon quarterback Dante Moore following him.

The early Bleacher Report mock pegged a different signal-caller to kick off the draft. Miami transfer Darian Mensah leapfrogged Manning and Moore.

"The 21-year-old signal caller blends an enticing skill set that translates well to the NFL," B/R's Brent Sobleski said. "Mensah plays from the pocket with poise under pressure, accuracy and good ball placement at all three levels. He is a mobile quarterback but prefers to sit in the pocket and dissect defenses. Duke was one of the least talented teams among Power 4 programs, yet Mensah elevated the program with his play."

A lot is going to change between now and draft day next spring.

Nobody had Fernando Mendoza winning a national title and Heisman Trophy en route to being the consensus No. 1 favorite. Cam Ward had a similar rise in 2024 thanks to his success at Miami.

At the very least, the 2027 draft is shaping up to be much better for teams in need of a quarterback.

The Cardinals picked Carson Beck in the third round but could plausibly focus on the position again if they wind up with a high pick. The New York Jets are in a similar position after having used a fourth-rounder on Cade Klubnik while leaning on a veteran stopgap (Geno Smith) or now. The Cleveland Browns are giving Shedeur Sanders another year to prove himself, and their draft priorities will hinge on how he performs.

After Mendoza, the pickings were pretty slim at quarterback, hence Arizona, New York and Cleveland all opting for half measures. It should be a different story in 2027.