ON TODAY'S SCORECARD
Arch Manning’s Revenge Tour
The hardest day of the year for NFL draft fans—the final day of that year’s event—doubles as one of the most exciting.
It’s the end of one evaluation period, often a year’s worth of time and energy spent watching prospects, learning about their stories and projecting their best fits. But it’s also the chance to turn the page toward a new crop of players and unearth summer-scouting gems before others do.
Part of the glory of the draft, however, is that teams are already a few months into next year’s class. And there’s plenty of excitement about the talent and potential within the 2027 prospect base.
After two consecutive down years, the quarterback class is shaping up to be special. There are elite prospects—generational is overused, but you get the idea—such as Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith, Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore and Texas edge rusher Colin Simmons. There are several players who could’ve been top-50 picks in 2026 but opted to return and could be fixtures in 2027.
And there are many others who won’t make any appearances on summer big boards or in early mock drafts.
These are the first handful of players Sports Illustrated projects in its way-too-early 2027 Mock Draft:
1. Arizona Cardinals: Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
The Cardinals did a ton of homework on the quarterbacks in the 2026 class before taking Miami’s Carson Beck in the third round, but that shouldn’t dissuade them from tapping into an elite crop of passers. Moore was in the QB1 race this past cycle before returning to Oregon. The 6' 3", 206-pounder showed impressive poise as a redshirt sophomore, and he pairs a big right arm with anticipation, accuracy and athleticism. He has the makings of a franchise quarterback and the mental capacity to handle QB1 hype.
2. Miami Dolphins: Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
If the Dolphins are, in fact, picking No. 2 next spring, it’s fair to wonder what that means for Malik Willis’s first season as the team’s starting quarterback. But Willis is set to earn $21.5 million guaranteed in 2027, and Miami certainly hopes he’ll be its starter at that price. Smith is nothing short of a phenom. At 6' 3" and 223 pounds, he’s big and strong but also fast and fluid in space, and he has tremendous ball skills. Smith would’ve been WR1 in 2026 had he been eligible, and he’ll likely end as the best overall player in 2027.
3. New York Jets: Arch Manning, QB, Texas
The Jets drafted Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik in the fourth round, and they have Geno Smith set as their bridge signal-caller this fall. Neither should dissuade them from tapping into what projects as a loaded quarterback class in 2027. Manning hit his stride in the second half last year, which was his first as a full-time starter. He has prototypical size at 6' 4" and 220 pounds, and he matches a strong arm with good touch and ball placement. Manning is still developing his processing skills, but he’s a quality runner with an exciting blend of size, athleticism and arm talent.
4. Las Vegas Raiders: Cam Coleman, WR, Texas
The Raiders hope they found their franchise quarterback in Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft. They filled plenty of roster holes with coach Klint Kubiak’s first draft class, but they still lack a go-to receiver for Mendoza. Enter Coleman, who transferred to Texas after two years at Auburn. The 6' 3", 201-pound Coleman is big, strong and fast, and he’s made some incredible catches through his first two college seasons. He’d be a welcome addition for Mendoza’s weaponry.
5. Cleveland Browns: LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina
The Browns, once again, have a roster full of quarterbacks but no clear solution under center. Moore and Manning will be widely viewed as the top two quarterbacks entering the 2026 season, but there’s contention over QB3. Sellers has elite physical tools—at 6' 3" and 240 pounds, he’s big, athletic and has a huge arm. South Carolina’s protection failed Sellers last season, and it created a few bad habits with his pocket presence, but if he can right his wrongs, he absolutely has the traits worthy of a top-five pick.
Click here to read SI’s complete 2027 Mock Draft. |
