Jeremiah Smith going No. 1 overall isn't the only thing that stands out in this 2027 NFL Mock Draft. With the draft order now based on the early NFL standings, some of the biggest names in the class land in some intriguing spots, especially at quarterback.
Of course, it's way too early to take the draft order too seriously. But that's where NFL mock drafts start to get fun. As the standings change week to week, so do the possibilities for where Arch Manning, Dante Moore and the rest of the 2027 NFL Draft's top quarterbacks could ultimately land.
So, what happens when the best player in the draft isn't a quarterback and several QB-needy teams are scattered throughout the first round? That's where this mock gets interesting, with six quarterbacks coming off the board and a few landing spots that could change the future of those franchises.
2027 NFL Mock Draft: Jeremiah Smith goes No. 1 as quarterbacks start flying
No. 1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
The Buccaneers take the best player on the board in Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith.
While wide receiver isn't the top need for Tampa Bay, this is a luxury pick for the Buccaneers as the team reunites Smith with former Ohio State teammate Emeka Egbuka.
The 6-foot-4, 222-pound Smith has been stellar through two games of the 2026 college football season with 16 receptions for 315 yards and three touchdowns. With his size, speed, athleticism and contested-catch artistry, Smith is the perfect replacement for Mike Evans, who left the team in free agency after 12 seasons as the franchise's star wide receiver.
No. 2 Carolina Panthers: Colin Simmons, ED, Texas
After a 59-27 Week 1 loss to the Chicago Bears, the emphasis in Carolina is on the defensive side of the ball.
Cornerback is a high need, but so is adding a young, explosive playmaker off the edge who can create consistent pressure. With the selection of Colin Simmons, the Panthers get that player.
With 21 sacks in his first two seasons, Simmons has already proven to be an edge-rushing machine. If he continues making an impact, he will be in the conversation as a top-five pick.
The Panthers take him at No. 2 due to his ceiling and elite traits, giving him the opportunity to lock down the future at the position for years to come.
No. 3 Atlanta Falcons: Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
In an 84-0 shutout victory over Portland State in Week 3, Oregon star Dante Moore took another step toward silencing doubters who don't think he is worthy of being the top quarterback in the draft.
The Falcons' current quarterback situation has already connected the team to Moore in our team-focused four-round mock draft. We stick with that connection in this mock.
When Moore is humming and making explosive plays, he looks like the No. 1 quarterback in the nation. Put him in an offense with playmakers like Drake London, Bijan Robinson and Kyle Pitts around him, and it sounds like the perfect formula for success at the next level.
No. 4 New York Jets: Arch Manning, QB, Texas
Arch Manning's clutch comeback victory over Ohio State in Week 2 landed him as the No. 1 quarterback in our recent 2027 NFL Draft QB rankings, but he is still the second quarterback taken behind Moore in this mock.
With three first-round picks in this draft, the Jets make perfect use of their first selection by taking Manning at No. 4 overall.
Starting the season 1-0, the Jets are in position to remain competitive with Geno Smith while still potentially landing a top-five pick they can use on their quarterback of the future.
Talk about capitalizing on draft capital.
No. 5 Houston Texans: Dylan Stewart, ED, South Carolina
While we don't expect the Texans to have the No. 5 overall pick when the season is over, this is another fun selection as Houston takes one of the top edge rushers on the board in Dylan Stewart.
Talk about a luxury of riches.
The Texans add Stewart as an initial depth piece in a rotation with Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. But the long-term impact of this pick is what makes it interesting.
With Hunter on the other side of 30, Nick Caserio finds his heir apparent in Stewart, who can be dominant off the edge. Pair him with Anderson on the other side, and DeMeco Ryans' defense could actually get stronger while getting younger.
No. 6 New York Jets: David Stone, DL, Oklahoma
The Jets continue rebuilding their defensive front with another first-round pick.
With the selection of David Stone, they get a powerful interior defender who is tough against the run and provides an interior pass-rush presence with his 6-foot-3, 315-pound frame.
With 2026 first-round pick David Bailey on one side, Will McDonald on the other and Stone anchoring the middle, the Jets' defense could look lethal in 2027 and beyond.
No. 7 Dallas Cowboys via Green Bay: Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame
The Cowboys make Leonard Moore the top cornerback off the board in the 2027 NFL Draft.
While taking a tackle here will be under heavy consideration, the idea of pairing Moore with DaRon Bland in a secondary that also features Caleb Downs will be hard to resist.
At 6-foot-2, 197 pounds, the Notre Dame shutdown corner is projected as a top-10 pick due to his coverage ability and high-end performance in press coverage. He is also elite when it comes to making plays on the ball, recording five interceptions in 2025.
No. 8 Tennessee Titans: Carter Smith, T, Indiana
The Titans make Carter Smith the first tackle off the board with the No. 8 overall pick.
With his ability to fire off the line of scrimmage, Smith's size and balance have drawn comparisons to Graham Barton in NFL Mocks' scouting profile of the Indiana star tackle.
While he isn't getting the same national attention as some of the other top prospects, Smith is the top tackle on PFF's big board and the first offensive lineman off the board in this edition of the 2027 NFL Mock Draft.
As for the Titans, he secures the future at left tackle with JC Latham handling the right side of the line.
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