Mel Kiper Jr. Drops New Big Board with Arch Manning as QB6 for 2027 NFL Draft

Now two full months into the college football season, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. has released a new top-25 big board for the 2027 NFL draft.

Texas quarterback Arch Manning remains the sixth-best quarterback and No. 24 overall player for Kiper, who had him in those same spots in his previous ranking released on Oct. 15.

There is little surprise at the very top with Ohio State star Jeremiah Smith ranked No. 1 overall.

Here's the updated top-10 list for Kiper with one month remaining in the college football regular season:

1. Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
2. Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State
3. Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame
4. Darian Mensah, QB, Miami
5. Colin Simmons, EDGE, Texas
6. Xavier Gilliam, DT, Tennessee
7. Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Mississippi
8. Charlie Becker, WR, Indiana
9. Dylan Stewart, EDGE, South Carolina
10. CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame

The other quarterbacks ahead of Manning on Kiper's big board are Drew Mestemaker, Darian Mensah, Trinidad Chambliss, CJ Carr and Austin Simmons.

Mestemaker's ascent to the top of the 2027 QB class is remarkable given he was unranked as a high-school prospect and spent his freshman year in college as the backup at North Texas.

Even if Manning wasn't ranked as the best quarterback prospect coming into the season, he was the one analysts frequently pointed to as being able to move into the top position if he played well because of his size, athleticism and raw ability.

Kiper cited those attributes as reasons Manning remains among his top-25 players, but also pointed out his "inconsistent" accuracy and decision-making as holding him back right now.

The turnovers are especially jarring for Manning. His seven interceptions in 196 pass attempts this season are as many as he had in 404 pass attempts in 2025.

Right behind Manning on Kiper's list is another quarterback thought to be in the mix for the No. 1 pick coming into the season: Oregon's Dante Moore.

Ducks head coach Dan Lanning announced on Monday that Moore is expected to miss the remainder of the season. He hasn't played since Sept. 26 after suffering a concussion on a late hit from USC linebacker Desman Stephens II.

The injury for Moore has led to questions about whether or not he will even enter the 2027 draft. He has one more year of college eligibility remaining, giving him the option of staying in school to rebuild his value and potentially be a top pick in 2028.

Moore would only be 23 when the 2028 NFL season starts if he did remain in college next year. For comparison, Trinidad Chambliss will be 25 at the start of the 2027 NFL season.