Will a promising 2027 NFL Draft class have quarterback hungry teams tanking by the NFL Trade Deadline in November?
With top QB prospects like Texas’ Arch Manning, Oregon’s Dante Moore, Ohio State’s Julian Sayin and South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers leading a deep quarterback class, one NFC executive has predicted at least three of those QB’s will go in the first round.  That could go very high in the first round given the talent of those gifted gunslingers.
While 2026 NFL Draft No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza was the consensus top quarterback in this year’s draft, the 2027 NFL Draft will have more franchise-caliber signal callers which will have teams like the New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins with decision to make if they are out of contention by the time the draft deadline approaches.
"After the trade deadline [in early November 2026] is when things will really start to pivot," an NFC executive said, via ESPN. "By then, you'll have a feel for which quarterbacks will emerge as primary options atop the draft, and teams will understand where they are in their trajectory."
It’s very early, but it is hard not to get excited about the talent in what projects as a deep 2027 draft, especially at the quarterback position. With Manning, Moore, Sellers, Sayin and other top prospects like Notre Dame’s C.J. Carr showing off their arm talent, those teas still looking for their QB will keep a close eye on these top prospects.
Looking at quarterback situations around the league, I broke it down in tiers as to which teams could be in great position to land the top quarterback talent in the 2027 NFL Draft class.
The teams most likely to chase a top 2027 quarterback
New York Jets
After what looks like a strong 2026 NFL Draft, the Jets are in a great position heading into the 2026 NFL season. With two first round picks in the 2027 NFL Draft, the Jets are in a position where they could still be competitive and have the draft capital to move up and get one of the top guys if they are not positioned to select in the top 5 or 10 in next April’s draft.
With veteran quarterback Geno Smith leading the squad and top offensive stars like running back Breece Hall, wide receiver Garrett Wilson leading the way, this AFC East squad has a chance to put together something special in 2026 offensively, especially with first round picks Kenyon Sadiq and Omar Cooper Jr. adding more playmaking options to new offensive coordinator Frank Reich’s offensive scheme.Â
If the Jets are competitive, but out of contention come the trade deadline, look for them to see what they have in fourth round pick Cade Kubnik as they position themselves to select one of the top QBs in the 2027 class.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins are interesting because they did invest in Malik Willis at the quarterback position. If he proves to be the man in 2026, the Dolphins could move to building around him in the 2027 NFL Draft. If he proves viable, but the Dolphins are not competitive, then it will quickly be about the next guy in South Beach.Â
With how the team is building the roster, the Dolphins project as a team that will be very young and in position to land at least a top 5 pick. They could surprise with Willis at the helm and be a team in the middle of the pack. That could still put them in position to land a top QB in the draft class, but getting into that top 3 may be the best interest of the franchise’s future.
Arizona Cardinals
After parting ways with Kyler Murray, the Cardinals find themselves in a similar position as the Dolphins. The team has some talent, but there is a big hole at the quarterback position. They will roll with Jacoby Brissett, Garnder Minshew and rookie Carson Beck in the QB room with eyes on the 2027 NFL Draft.
Unless Beck emerges and shows he is the future, the Cardinals are early favorites to be a team in position to select Manning or Moore as those two project to be the top two quarterbacks in the class. Imagine either of those two handing the ball off to Jeremiah Love and throwing the ball to Marvin Harrison Jr as a Cardinals future trio?Â
NFL teams with major quarterback questions still looming
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings have suddenly become a stopgap for veteran quarterbacks looking to resurrect or rejuvenate their NFL careers. Kyler Murray is the latest on that list as the Vikings still hope they have something in 2024 NFL Draft pick J.J. McCarthy as their future quarterback. The spotlight will be on the Vikings in 2026. With Murray playing on a 1-year, $1.3 million veteran minimum, the Vikings could be in prime position to select a quarterback following the upcoming season. Even if McCarthy shows promise or Murray shows he’s worth an extended deal, the Vikings still take a QB.
Cleveland Browns
Well, the Browns are always in this conversation. There is hope in Cleveland as Deshaun Watson and Sheduer Sanders battle it out. They also have sixth-round pick Taylen Green who could factor into that mix through training camp. Unless one of those players emerge as the man in Cleveland, the Browns are a team who will be targeting a QB once again in the draft.Â
With a young core of   offensive playmakers led by Quinshon Judkins, Harold Fannin Jr., Jerry Jeudy and rookie receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston, the Browns could find themselves just a QB away as a team primed to make noise in the AFC North beyond the 2026 NFL season.
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