The 2026 NFL Draft came with a clear theme. The quarterbacks were important, but the wide receivers made a bigger mark across the three-day event. Fernando Mendoza went first overall to the Las Vegas Raiders, while Ty Simpson became one of the biggest talking points after going No. 13 to the Los Angeles Rams. That draft is now in the books, and attention has already moved to the next class.
The 2027 NFL Draft is shaping up to be a quarterback-heavy race, with several names already drawing early buzz. Arch Manning is the current favorite at 27%, while Dante Moore and CJ Carr sit in the next tier. Julian Sayin is also in the mix, and non-quarterbacks like Jeremiah Smith and Leonard Moore are showing up in the early odds as well. The season ahead will decide everything, but the early picture already shows a strong group at the top.
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Arch Manning, QB, Texas
Arch Manning leads the early board with 27% odds to go No. 1 overall. The Texas quarterback stayed in school for one more season, which kept him in the 2027 race. He has already shown why scouts keep him at the top, with a 62.3% completion rate and a 35:9 touchdown-to-interception ratio across three years at Texas. He has the frame, arm strength, mobility, and poise that teams want at the position. If he builds on his best stretches this season, he remains the clearest favorite.
Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
Dante Moore is next at 11% and is one of the most interesting names in the class. He could have entered the 2026 draft, but he returned to Oregon to sharpen his game. The reports on him point to a natural passer with accuracy to all levels of the field and a smooth throwing motion. He is listed at 6-foot-3 and 206 pounds, so size is part of the evaluation, but the arm talent is already there. A strong season could push him closer to Arch Manning.
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CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame
CJ Carr also sits in the early mix, with 10% odds in the image and 11% in the story’s odds rundown. He put together a strong first year as a starter, throwing for 2,741 yards, 24 touchdowns, and just six interceptions. That kind of production is exactly why he is in the first-round conversation this early. He looks like a quarterback who can handle a full season of attention and still keep the offense moving. If he keeps that level of play, he will stay in the No. 1 pick discussion.
Julian Sayin is another quarterback with 10% early odds, and his profile is already drawing attention. He showed poise and accuracy in his first season as Ohio State’s starter. The challenge with evaluating him is that Ohio State’s receiver room makes it hard to separate the quarterback’s talent from the talent around him. Even so, scouts like his future and the way he handled the job. A bigger season in 2026 could move him up fast.
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Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
Jeremiah Smith is the top non-quarterback on the board and holds 9% odds. He would have been a top-10 pick if he had been eligible as a teenager, which says enough about his status. The description in the story compares his frame and game to a young Julio Jones, which tells you how highly he is regarded. He is a receiver with rare size and production upside, and that keeps him in the conversation despite the quarterback-heavy market. If he dominates again, he could challenge the top passers.
Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame
Leonard Moore is also sitting at 9% and rounds out the early group. He was a Thorpe Award finalist and an All-American as a true sophomore, which gives him a strong case already. The traits that stand out are his size, movement skills, and instincts at cornerback. He would have been a first-round pick if he had been eligible for the 2026 draft, so NFL interest is already real. Another steady season could keep him in the top-10 range and make him the best defensive name in the 2027 class.
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Conclusion
The early odds point to a quarterback battle at the top, with Arch Manning in front and several challengers close behind. Dante Moore, CJ Carr, and Julian Sayin all have paths to the No. 1 spot, while Jeremiah Smith and Leonard Moore give the class star power at other positions. The 2026 season will decide the order, but the early race is already taking shape.
