5 NFL Teams Already In Market For Quarterbacks In 2027 Draft

The NFL draft doesn't always turn out as expected. Don't tell NFL franchises that are already looking ahead to the 2027 class.

Right now, the league is operating under the belief that up to 15 different quarterbacks could earn first-round status by next April.

"That's an impressive list," one veteran NFL scout told ESPN's Pete Thamel. "That's a crazy quarterback list."

While that number or even half will not be reached by the time the cycle closes, the overall depth potentially available generates massive amounts of excitement, particularly when the group features legitimate top-end talent.

Texas' Arch Manning and Oregon's Dante Moore could have been top-five picks this year. Darian Mensah was arguably better than both while at Duke. Then, the younger options—Notre Dame's C.J. Carr, Ohio State's Julian Sayin and Oklahoma State's Drew Mestemaker—will be eligible for the first time.

Supply should meet demand, with five teams already positioned to draft a quarterback in next year's first round if something doesn't drastically change.

Arizona Cardinals

AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

Jacoby Brissett

The Arizona Cardinals finally made the call and cut ties with Kyler Murray. While the organization needed a reset at quarterback, the decision came without an adequate plan to transition into another phase.

Jacoby Brissett remains atop the Cardinals' depth chart. While Arizona's offense functioned more efficiently with Brissett in the lineup, the team won only one game with the veteran as the starter.

To be fair, the Cardinals moved the ball with Brissett leading the way. He threw for over 300 yards in four different contests and has at least two touchdown tosses in 10 starts. However, the majority understand that the 33-year-old quarterback is merely a placeholder.

At the same time, Brissett has skipped voluntary workouts, which essentially equates to a soft holdout.

"Brissett, who started 12 games for Arizona last season, wants a restructured contract for the final season of the two-year deal he signed in March 2025," ESPN's Josh Weinfuss reported.

Brissett is not a long-term starting option, hence the franchise's decision to draft Carson Beck atop this year's third round. Beck should see the field at some point this fall. He almost has to do so. The Cardinals must know what they have in the 24-year-old to make the most informed decision going into the 2027 offseason.

Right now, the Cardinals don't have a franchise quarterback in place. This year's third overall pick, Jeremiyah Love, will serve as the team's offensive focal point. Next year, Arizona can invest in a first-round quarterback and legitimately restart the rebuilding process.

Cleveland Browns

Photo by Jeff Haynes/AP Images for Panini

Shedeur Sanders

The Cleveland Browns remain stuck in quarterback limbo. The organization hasn't found an extended starter at the game's most important position since it returned to the NFL in 1999.

Some hope exists within the current setup because of Shedeur Sanders. He is far from a guarantee, though.

General manager Andrew Berry has done a tremendous job adding talent over the last two offseasons and elevating the squad's talent floor.

Last year's draft class proved to be exceptional with Mason Graham, Carson Schwesinger, Quinshon Judkins and Harold Fannin Jr. as the team's first four picks. Sanders' development could make it an all-time class.

"I think the biggest thing that we want to see from Shedeur is just continued growth," Berry told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine. "I think he grew a lot from Start 1 to Start 7. I think certainly playing more efficiently, not putting the ball in harm's way as much would be important while maintaining the ability to produce out of structure and generate explosive plays."

This setup would be far simpler if it were on Sanders to prove himself or for the team to move on next offseason. Deshaun Watson's presence makes it messy. The Browns organization, namely ownership, has yet to give up on the signing that's currently viewed as the worst trade and contract in NFL history.

Watson hasn't been a viable starter since the 2020 campaign. Even so, the Browns remain locked into his contract, with a $45 million salary-cap charge this fall. Watson has received more than a second chance in Cleveland. He's on his fourth at this point.

However, the current quarterback competition will be the last opportunity for the veteran, who's coming off a torn Achilles tendon, since he's entering the last year of his current deal.

The Browns should be looking at a clean slate to finally reset at quarterback next offseason.

Miami Dolphins

AP Photo/Jim Rassol

Malik Willis

The Miami Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota Vikings and Carolina Panthers find themselves in a similar setup, with recent, high-end investments in the quarterback position yet each capable of moving past those individuals next offseason.

Until proven otherwise, the Dolphins are on the clock, which is why they are included. On paper, Miami has the league's worst roster, and it's not particularly close. Malik Willis' free-agent signing this offseason should be viewed as a one-year tryout.

If the Dolphins are picking in the top three next offseason, Willis' presence better not stop the organization from investing in a top quarterback prospect. That statement only amplifies in intensity if Jeff Hafley's squad ends up with the No. 1 overall selection.

Willis can then serve as a bridge to the next quarterback or be released with a June 1 designation to save the team $21.5 million in 2027, according to Over The Cap.

The Dolphins understand the organization is under new management and undergoing a renovation. Actions speak louder than words. Willis' deal was the only one among the team's 23 free-agent signings to be a multi-year agreement. Everyone else inked one-year contracts.

Willis will be given every opportunity to prove himself during the upcoming season. It's simply difficult to see him thriving when his surrounding cast is so poor. He had to take the chance to be a starting NFL quarterback. At the same time, the situation matters. Outside of running back De'Von Achane, the Dolphins offense lacks proven playmakers.

The Dolphins can take this year's 13-player draft class, use it as the team's new foundation and continue building up the roster next year with a top quarterback prospect at the helm.

New York Jets

AP Photo/David Kohl, File

Geno Smith

More than any other NFL franchise, the New York Jets are poised to go all in with the 2027 draft. Geno Smith serving as the team's QB1 this fall, as well as three first-round picks for next April's event, pretty much tells the entire story.

The biggest question is whether Aaron Glenn and his staff will remain in place to finally land the team's next franchise quarterback.

New York's front office did an exemplary job to enhance the roster's overall talent level. Defensively, the Jets added Minkah Fitzpatrick, Demario Davis, T'Vondre Sweat, Joseph Ossai, second-round cornerback D'Angelo Ponds and this year's second overall pick, David Bailey, to improve upon last year's bottom eight finish.

On the other side of the ball, the Jets drafted tight end Kenyon Sadiq and wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. to give Smith better all-around weaponry.

Smith may not be an ideal solution, but he's a proven veteran. Furthermore, it's unlikely the 35-year-old will play as poorly as he did a season ago with the Las Vegas Raiders in what turned out to be a dire situation.

As a fourth-round pick, rookie Cade Klubnik doesn't even factor into the team's plan unless he's forced into the lineup and plays above and beyond all expectations.

The Jets should be better this fall, which seems counterproductive to the end goal. At the same time, the franchise has a war chest of draft assets to ensure it lands a quarterback and continue its build toward a competitive squad.

Pittsburgh Steelers

AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki

Aaron Rodgers

The Pittsburgh Steelers epitomize organizational obstinance.

They're running it back with a 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers after bowing out of the first round of the playoffs once again. Even though a similar outcome seems inevitable this fall, the Steelers can realistically look at next year's draft with the intention of addressing quarterback for the long haul.

Pittsburgh should be the team that benefits the most from a deep quarterback class because it will be competitive again. The front office specifically added wide receivers Michael Pittman Jr. and Germie Bernard to improve the squad's one-dimensional passing game.

The additions of Jaquan Brisker, Jamel Dean and rookie Daylen Everette should improve upon last year's bottom four pass defense as well.

Even so, the hires of head coach Mike McCarthy and offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio shouldn't be viewed as the proverbial Fountain of Youth for Rodgers.

Last season, the four-time NFL MVP had games where he looked like his old self, but stretches existed where he didn't play well at all. Pittsburgh is squeezing every drop out of Rodgers' Hall of Fame arm to entertain fantasies of making another Super Bowl, though the aging signal-caller is unlikely to provide exactly what the team needs to maintain its high standard.

Granted, Rodgers is only part of the equation. The Steelers drafted Will Howard and Drew Allar in back-to-back classes, with sixth- and third-round picks, respectively. Those investments are minimal at the game's most important position and shouldn't be taken into account.

Instead, the Steelers will be aiming for a legitimate first-round option once the 2027 draft begins—whether that acquisition occurs via trade up or the organization remains patient as the process commences.