2027 NFL Draft QB rankings: Austin Simmons continues his rise

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A lot of the top quarterbacks in the 2027 NFL Draft class had the week off in Week 5, so there isn’t much to change on the list of QBs coming into a blockbuster slate in Week 6. But there was one very notable performance by one of the fastest-rising prospects in the country at any position.

Austin Simmons has had an interesting career arc to this point, but he has finally found his footing in 2026 at Missouri. The former Ole Miss quarterback was slated to start for Lane Kiffin and the Rebels in 2025, but an early-season ankle injury took him out of the lineup, and Trinidad Chambliss never looked back after getting his opportunity.

Now, Simmons is leading a 4-1 Missouri team that is coming off of a dominant 45-17 win over No. 8 Florida on Saturday. The Tigers have an explosive offense even with star running back Ahmad Hardy sidelined, which is a testament to Simmons and what he can do in the passing game.

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How much did Simmons rise this week in the 2027 NFL Draft QB rankings, and where does everyone else fall in line as a result?

1. Arch Manning, Texas

Last week: 1

Manning and Texas had the week off in Week 5, and maybe it was a good thing. This is an offense that needs to get its stuff together quickly before it takes on some of the better defenses in the SEC, as the Longhorns have been a bit out of sorts so far this year. Saturday will be another big test for Manning against an Oklahoma defense that has been pretty stout so far in 2026, despite an offense that has been objectively terrible.

2. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss

Last week: 3

Chambliss moved up despite not playing, but watching his old games it’s hard not to continue to fall in love with everything he brings to the table as a prospect. Watching a physically inferior quarterback in Bryce Young with similar size concerns get off to a great start to the 2026 season helps Chambliss’ case, right or wrong, and Chambliss has more physical gifts. If he continues to show off what he already has this season, it’s hard to see him going outside of the first round.

3. Darian Mensah, Miami (FL)

Last week: 2

Mensah finished a 41-13 win over Clemson 18-of-27 with 227 yards and two total touchdowns, even showing off the wheels on a 34-yard touchdown scamper in the second quarter. At times in this game, especially early on, his tendency to hold onto the ball in a tough road environment popped up, but it was another strong performance overall. Next up for Mensah and the Hurricanes is an Oct. 17 date with Florida State after getting a week off in Week 6.

4. Drew Mestemaker, Oklahoma State

Last week: 4

Mestemaker and Oklahoma State also had the week off in Week 5, but we’re about to find out a lot more about his draft candidacy when it comes to the 2027 class over the rest of the season. The Cowboys take on a UCF team that should allow for another big day from Mestemaker in Week 6 before a top 25 road tilt against Houston in Week 7.

5. Austin Simmons, Missouri

Last week: 7

Simmons has a live arm that was on full display on Saturday in a 45-17 win over Florida. The Ole Miss transfer finished the day 23-of-30 with 340 yards and two touchdowns, as he was able to throw the ball all over the yard and find a ton of explosive plays against the Florida defense.

Simmons finished the day 10-of-15 wth 240 yards on throws 10 or more yards down the field, so he is clearly willing to let it fly NFL teams will love that willingness to hunt explosive plays down the field, and they will also the love the efficiency that Simmons is doing that with so far this season.

6. Dante Moore, Oregon

Last week: 5

Moore returned to practice in a helmet and pads on Monday, just over a week after suffering a terrifying concussion in a win over USC. It’s unclear what Moore’s status will be for a home game against undefeated UCLA on Saturday, but if he is able to go, he will have his hands full with a Bob Chesney-led Bruins squad that has looked very formidable so far this season.

7. CJ Carr, Notre Dame

Last week: 6

Carr had a very good game in the rain against North Carolina on Saturday, finishing 21-of-29 with 234 yards and four touchdowns against a Bill Belichick-coached defense. He only moves down on the list as a result of what Simmons did on Saturday, but the Notre Dame signal-caller is still very much in the conversation as a potential first-round pick when the spring rolls around.

8. Julian Sayin, Ohio State

Last week: 8

It feels like all of Sayin’s games follow a similar script in 2026. He plays well, he takes care of the ball, but the story coming out of all of Ohio State’s games is the excellence of Jeremiah Smith. Last week, I mentioned that it’s difficult to separate Sayin as a prospect from what he can do with to without Smith, and that is still true coming out of an impressive performance against a very good defense in Iowa. Is that fair to him? Probably not, but it’s part of his evaluation.

9. CJ Bailey, NC State

Last week: 10

Bailey and NC State got a big win on Saturday against a Louisville team that is very talented and was expected to be one of the best teams in the ACC this season. While his season will almost undoubtedly be remembered for the end of the Vanderbilt game, Bailey looks like an improved player and certainly is more polished than he was last season. He will be an interesting evaluation for NFL teams throughout the draft process because of his great tools.

10. Nico Iamaleava, UCLA

Last week: NR

Iamaleava has fallen out of the spotlight a little bit since coming into college with a lot of hype at Tennessee and then departing in controversial fashion last spring. Last fall at UCLA was a nightmare for the former five-star quarterback, but this year has been completely different. Iamaleava’s arm talent and athleticism have been on display so far during the Bruins’ 4-0 start, and Saturday could be somewhat of a defining moment for him against Oregon where he can re-establish his name at the forefront of the national conversation.

Next five: Jayden Maiava (USC), Brendan Sorsby, Drake Lindsey (Minnesota), LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina), Dylan Raiola (Oregon)

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