Rapid Changes in 2027 NFL Draft’s Quarterback Prospects

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The onset of the college football season held the potential for as many as seven quarterbacks to be top picks in the 2027 NFL draft. Players like Arch Manning from Texas, Dante Moore from Oregon, Julian Sayin from Ohio State, Trinidad Chambliss from Ole Miss, Darian Mensah from Miami, CJ Carr from Notre Dame, and LaNorris Sellers from South Carolina were all considered potential first-round choices. This anticipation was fueled by the large number of teams expected to be on the lookout for quarterbacks in the upcoming draft period.

As the season reaches its fifth week, at least four of these quarterbacks face significant scrutiny and their standings in the draft are in question. This shift in expectations has led to a realignment in draft predictions.

A notable change is the rise of Drew Mestemaker from Oklahoma State. Once viewed as a fringe first-rounder, Mestemaker now holds the top quarterback position on Mel Kiper’s big board for ESPN and is ranked as the second overall player in the 2027 draft class.

“Mestemaker didn’t even start at quarterback for his high school team; he was the punter, played some safety, and was the backup QB,” Kiper noted. “Then he walked on at North Texas in 2024 as a QB before becoming the starter in 2025. After throwing for more than 4,000 yards, Mestemaker transferred with coach Eric Morris to Oklahoma State. It’s an incredible story.”

Kiper emphasized Mestemaker’s ability to assess the field and maintain patience in the pocket. With the capability to make all necessary throws, Mestemaker has achieved 30 completions of over 20 yards this season, ranking third in the FBS. His mobility offers substantial gains on the ground as well.

Mestemaker exhibits remarkable toughness and an aggressive playing style. At just 20 years old and with only 20 career starts, his potential remains largely untapped.

Kiper’s current list of top quarterback prospects for the 2027 draft includes: