The confetti has barely settled on the 2026 NFL Draft, but the sports betting world is already looking ahead to next year's top prize. According to BetOnline, five players have emerged as early favorites to hear their name called first in the 2027 draft — and it's a quarterback-heavy list.
Last week, Indiana's Fernando Mendoza went No. 1 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders, followed by Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey (New York Jets), Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love (Arizona Cardinals), and Ohio State wideout Carnell Tate (Tennessee Titans). But the buzz for 2027 is all about the signal-callers.
Arch Manning Leads the Pack
Texas quarterback Arch Manning, the nephew of Peyton and Eli, is the early +250 favorite to go first overall in 2027. Manning showed flashes of brilliance last season, though he struggled early before rallying down the stretch. His pedigree and arm talent make him the clear frontrunner — if he declares.
Behind Manning, Oregon's Dante Moore sits at +400, followed by Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith at +700. Smith is the only non-QB in the top five, a testament to his generational talent. Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin (+800) and Notre Dame's CJ Carr (+1000) round out the early favorites.
Fan Reaction: Manning's Fit Sparks Debate
Fans are already debating whether Manning would actually go to whichever team lands the No. 1 pick. One Arizona Cardinals fan wrote, “Manning ain’t coming here if we have the number one pick. You all need to get used to that idea.” Another echoed, “It doesn’t matter if Arch Manning is the number one pick next year and we go winless and we get the first pick there’s no way we would get him. His family won’t allow him to come to us.”
Not everyone is sold on Manning, either. “Manning is buns give me Carr,” one user replied. Another suggested, “Take a swing at CJ Carr, take a swing at Drew Mestemaker but if there were Top 5 Odds. Those are good swings.”
The draft's fast pace has also drawn criticism from analysts. Mike Greenberg recently pushed for a 'timeout' rule to slow things down, a sentiment that resonates as teams scramble to evaluate the next wave of prospects.
What About the Other Contenders?
Dante Moore, who transferred to Oregon after a rocky start at UCLA, has the arm and mobility to shoot up boards. Ohio State's Julian Sayin, a former five-star recruit, could benefit from another year in the Buckeyes' system. And CJ Carr, a Notre Dame freshman, is already generating Heisman buzz.
Even the draft's aftermath has been eventful. Mel Kiper Jr. named three teams as the 2026 draft's biggest losers, while Diego Pavia made unwanted history as the first Heisman runner-up to go undrafted in 12 years. The drama never stops.
As the 2027 draft looms, one thing is clear: the battle for No. 1 is already heating up. Who do you think will take the top spot?
