NFL Expert Makes Bold Prediction For No. 1 Pick in 2027 Draft
With the 2026 NFL Draft officially in the rearview mirror, it's time to start thinking about the 2026 college football season and, in turn, the 2027 NFL Draft.
Next year's class will feature huge names such as Oregon QB Dante Moore, Texas QB Arch Manning, and Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith, among others.
For a long time, all signs pointed to Manning being the surefire top pick in 2027, but there is a case for Moore, Smith, or others to be taken first overall, regardless of which team is on the clock.
NFL expert Daniel Jeremiah hopped on "The Rich Eisen Show" and gave a bold prediction for the 2027 NFL Draft, and he is going with Moore over Manning and others.
"I'll go with the Oregon quarterback over Arch [Manning]. I'll go Dante Moore, just because I've seen him play at a higher level for a longer period of time."
"I'll go with the Oregon quarterback over Arch [Manning]. I'll go Dante Moore."@MoveTheSticks believes that Oregon's Dante Moore can be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2027 NFL draft
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) April 27, 2026
(via @RichEisenShow) pic.twitter.com/iFujfzIdJB
Texas Longhorns edge rusher Colin Simmons is another name to watch, but Jeremiah has Moore over Manning and Smith, at least for now.
Moore, who began his career at UCLA after flipping from Oregon, returned to Eugene in 2024 and was then named the starter in 2025 after Dillon Gabriel went to the NFL.
Moore didn't disappoint, either. He threw for 3,565 yards with 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while leading Oregon to the College Football Playoff.
Manning, meanwhile, had a difficult start to the 2025 season after plenty of preseason Heisman Trophy buzz, although Manning still wound up throwing for 3,163 yards with 26 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
What the 2027 NFL Draft Might Look Like
Again, looking at the 2027 NFL Draft just after the 2026 draft ended is a bit odd. Still, assuming Moore, Smith, and Manning live up to the hype, they should be the unquestioned top three players in the draft.
Cooper Pategna of CBS Sports had Manning going first overall in his latest mock draft to the New York Jets, followed by Moore and Smith, who landed with the Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins, respectively.
A lot of scenarios could unfold, but, at least for right now, Smith, Manning and Moore figure to be the cream of the crop for the 2027 NFL Draft class.
Related: Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby Taking Indefinite Leave of Absence Due to Gambling
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This story was originally published April 27, 2026 at 10:51 AM.