Jeremiah Smith Tops Early 2027 NFL Draft Projection While Arch Manning Misses Top 10

Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith caught a 38-yard touchdown on fourth-and-1 in the Buckeyes’ 19-15 win at Indiana on Oct. 17, and he leads a deep 2027 NFL Draft class. Ten prospects, from quarterback to edge rusher, now stand out, and one respected analyst has set their order. His latest ranking also raises questions about two big names just outside the top 10.

Mel Kiper Jr. ranks top 10 prospects for 2027 NFL Draft

ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. updated his 2027 big board this week, and Smith still sits at No. 1. Kiper has said, “He’s the best player in the draft.”

1. WR Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State: Smith has 52 catches, 984 yards and 12 touchdowns through seven games. He also holds Ohio State’s career records for catches, yards and touchdowns.

2. QB Drew Mestemaker, Oklahoma State: The North Texas transfer has thrown for 300-plus yards in six straight games. He owns 2,326 passing yards and 20 touchdowns this season for the 5-2 Cowboys.

3. CB Leonard Moore, Notre Dame: Kiper calls him a lockdown corner with elite length and ball skills. Moore is the top defender on the list and has seven career interceptions.

The rest of the order: 4. QB Darian Mensah, Miami; 5. EDGE Colin Simmons, Texas; 6. DT Xavier Gilliam, Tennessee; 7. QB Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss; 8. WR Charlie Becker, Indiana; 9. EDGE Dylan Stewart, South Carolina; 10. QB CJ Carr, Notre Dame.

Four quarterbacks made the cut, but two bigger names sit just outside that group.

Arch Manning and Dante Moore fall behind in 2027 QB race

Texas quarterback Arch Manning sits at No. 24 overall and sixth among quarterbacks, the same spots he held on Oct. 15. Kiper cited inconsistent accuracy and decision-making, and the numbers back that up. Manning has thrown seven interceptions on 196 attempts this season, matching his total from 404 attempts in 2025.

Right behind him is Oregon’s Dante Moore at No. 25. Coach Dan Lanning said on Oct. 26 that Moore is expected to miss the rest of the season after a concussion from a late hit at USC on Sept. 26. Moore threw for 926 yards and nine touchdowns without an interception in four games before the injury. He still has another year of college eligibility, which leaves his draft decision open.

Smith remains Kiper’s top prospect and the engine of No. 2 Ohio State (6-1). The Buckeyes visit USC (6-2) at the Coliseum on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET, with a new quarterback plan in play after Julian Sayin’s injury.

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