NFL Draft Notebook: Drew Mestemaker claims 2027 QB1 crown, overlooked sleeper emerges

With the college football regular season entering its final month, the race to become the top quarterback in the 2027 NFL Draft may finally have a frontrunner. Oklahoma State's Drew Mestemaker is making a strong case to be the first quarterback selected and potentially a top-five overall pick. But is he really the best quarterback in this class, or is there another prospect NFL scouts should be paying closer attention to?

What's particularly impressive about Mestemaker's rise is how far he has come, going from a backup quarterback in high school to a walk-on at North Texas before developing into one of the most intriguing prospects in the country. Now, the question is whether his remarkable rise will end with him becoming the first quarterback off the board in April.

This year's quarterback class also features an intriguing Group of Five sleeper in Caden Veltkamp, who possesses several NFL-caliber traits despite flying under the radar. In this week's NFL Draft Notebook, we'll take a closer look at both quarterbacks, including what makes Mestemaker QB1 and why Veltkamp deserves more attention. We'll also highlight a rising cornerback prospect, a Day 3 offensive tackle to watch, and several other players making moves up draft boards.

Why Drew Mestemaker is emerging as QB1 in the 2027 NFL Draft

It is starting to look more and more like Oklahoma State's Drew Mestemaker could be the first quarterback off the board if he declares early for the 2027 NFL Draft. According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, Mestemaker is now QB1 in the network's midseason NFL scout and executive poll, receiving a record 17 votes in the three years the poll has been conducted. And for good reason.

The first thing that stands out about Mestemaker is that he possesses the tools to develop into a high-level NFL starter, something not many quarterbacks in this class can claim. His best trait may be his impressive arm strength. He throws an outstanding deep ball and has no trouble delivering passes off his back foot with pressure bearing down on him.

Beyond his arm strength, two other traits stand out when watching Mestemaker's film: his accuracy and mobility for a quarterback of his size. He is completing 66% of his passes this season and consistently puts the ball in a position where his receivers can catch it in stride and generate yards after the catch. That is reflected in the production of his top two wide receivers, Wyatt Young and Justin Bowich, who are both averaging more than five yards after the catch. At 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, Mestemaker also moves exceptionally well for a pocket passer, showing the ability to extend plays and buy extra time in the pocket while also possessing the speed to break off explosive runs, as he demonstrated against Oregon this season.

While Mestemaker offers plenty of upside, there are a couple of areas that concern me. The first is his tendency to be overly aggressive, as he has thrown 16 interceptions over the last year and a half. However, I believe this could become less of an issue in a more traditional NFL offense with a strong supporting cast and defense, where he won't be asked to carry as much of the workload. My other concern is how low he holds the football in the pocket. This has contributed to five fumbles this season, and it is something he will need to correct at the next level.

Another criticism you may hear from online scouts concerns his throwing motion, but I believe this is overblown. As a private quarterback coach in the Houston area, I see this misconception frequently among young quarterbacks who believe their arm must be positioned at a 90-degree angle when throwing. That simply isn't the case, and very few, if any, NFL quarterbacks consistently operate that way. Instead, I teach my quarterbacks, and believe most NFL coaches would agree, that as long as the elbow is at least parallel to the armpit, the throwing motion is in a good position. This helps prevent a quarterback from becoming a slasher with his throwing motion, and Mestemaker's arm path meets that requirement.

So, if Mestemaker is indeed the top quarterback in the 2027 NFL Draft, where might he land? If the draft order stays as it currently stands, with the Los Angeles Chargers picking first, the Tennessee Titans second, and the Miami Dolphins third, I believe Miami could ultimately be his destination. The Chargers are likely to stick with Justin Herbert, while the Titans should remain committed to Cam Ward. Additionally, Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, arguably the top overall prospect in the 2027 class, will almost certainly be off the board by the time Miami is on the clock.

Sleeper of the Week: Caden Veltkamp

While most of the attention surrounding the 2027 NFL Draft quarterback class has centered on Oklahoma State's Drew Mestemaker, many are sleeping on FAU's Caden Veltkamp despite his outstanding production. Veltkamp is putting together the best season of his career, averaging 317 passing yards per game with 23 touchdowns and just five interceptions. He has also been a major reason the Owls are one win away from securing their first bowl appearance since 2020. Beyond his impressive production, Veltkamp possesses several NFL-caliber traits that have earned him this week's Sleeper of the Week.

When watching Veltkamp, the first thing that stands out is his impressive arm strength. According to PFF, he leads the FBS with 22 big-time throws this season, and his game film makes it easy to see why he has NFL-caliber arm talent. Along with his arm strength, Veltkamp displays impressive accuracy, completing 72% of his passes despite consistently taking shots downfield. Another major positive is his NFL-ready frame, standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 236 pounds.

Another thing I like about Veltkamp is how much he has improved in areas that were concerns entering the season. His biggest weakness was his tendency to turn the ball over, as he threw 17 interceptions last season. However, he has cut that number significantly, throwing just five interceptions this year. His footwork was another concern entering the season, as he occasionally struggled to maintain a consistent throwing platform and would fall into throwing off his back foot. This season, he has made significant strides in that area, which has helped contribute to a five-percentage-point increase in his completion rate.

One team that could make a lot of sense for Veltkamp is the Detroit Lions, given his accuracy and ability to get the football out quickly. Detroit also has plenty of late-round draft capital to invest in a developmental quarterback, with five total selections in the sixth and seventh rounds. Veltkamp could provide the Lions with a long-term developmental option who could learn behind Jared Goff while offering intriguing upside as a potential future backup or starter.

2027 NFL Draft Prospect News & Notes

John Nestor is quietly building his NFL Draft case

An intriguing Day 3 cornerback prospect to watch is Minnesota's John Nestor, who delivered another impressive performance last week against Indiana. Nestor helped limit the Hoosiers' receiving threats, including potential top-50 picks Nick Marsh and Charlie Becker, to just one combined reception on five targets. His latest performance continues an impressive two-year stretch with the Gophers, during which he has recorded seven interceptions and 15 pass deflections. From an NFL scouting perspective, Nestor brings several appealing traits, including excellent ball skills, a willingness to come downhill and support against the run, and a high football IQ. With his consistent production and well-rounded skill set, Nestor is continuing to make a strong case for himself as a potential NFL Draft sleeper.

Rasheem Biles steps up for Texas

The Texas Longhorns were without star pass rusher Colin Simmons against Mississippi State and needed someone to help fill the void in their pass rush. Linebacker Rasheem Biles answered the call, recording a career-high three sacks and forcing two fumbles. Biles is a player NFL Mocks has highlighted previously, particularly when discussing his potential fit in a role similar to how the Seattle Seahawks utilize Nick Emmanwori as a big nickel. At 6-foot-1 and 225 pounds, Biles is undersized for a traditional linebacker role at the NFL level. However, his combination of speed, pass-rushing ability, and coverage skills could make him an intriguing fit in a more versatile defensive role.

Elijah Pritchett making a push up draft boards

A Day 3 offensive tackle prospect who intrigues me is Nebraska's Elijah Pritchett, who is coming off a terrific performance against Washington. In the Huskers' matchup against the Huskies, he earned PFF's highest pass-blocking grade of the game with a 93 after not allowing a single pressure. At 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds, Pritchett also moves surprisingly well, showing the footwork needed to stick at left tackle at the NFL level. If he can continue improving his hand usage, which contributed to six penalties last season, he could have a chance to sneak into Day 2 of the 2027 NFL Draft.

Carlos Hernandez is fueling Wake Forest's surprise season

One of the biggest surprises in college football this season has been Wake Forest, which sits at 7-1 after being projected to finish 13th in the ACC during the preseason. One of the biggest reasons for the Demon Deacons' success has been the play of slot receiver Carlos Hernandez, who is averaging 122 receiving yards per game and has hauled in 57 receptions for 856 yards and five touchdowns. Hernandez also possesses an NFL skill set that could make him an intriguing Day 3 draft prospect, thanks to his quickness after the catch, where he is averaging more than eight yards per reception. He also has some of the surest hands in the 2027 NFL Draft class, dropping just one pass this season. Hernandez could be an intriguing fit in Sean McVay's offense with the Los Angeles Rams, who could certainly use additional help at wide receiver.

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