Texas quarterback Arch Manning is sitting at the top of CBS Sports’ latest 2027 NFL mock draft, with analyst Mike Renner projecting him as the No. 1 overall pick.
Renner’s board is heavy on quarterbacks early, but the name drawing the most attention outside of that position is Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who comes off at No. 2 to the Arizona Cardinals. Oregon quarterback Dante Moore is slotted right behind him at No. 3 to the Cleveland Browns.
Smith is the only Ohio State player in Renner’s first-round mock, but his placement is a big one. Renner made the case that Smith gives Arizona a different kind of offensive answer, writing:
“While the Cardinals will likely be in the quarterback market, Smith is a ceiling-raiser for whoever is playing quarterback in Arizona. While Cardinals fans may have been duped before, this time it's legit.
Smith has dominated college football from day one with over 2,500 yards in two seasons. He has the tools to be an all-time great and turn average quarterbacks into high-end passing attacks.”
Manning, meanwhile, is projected to land with the Miami Dolphins at No. 1. Renner tied that pick to what he sees as a big season ahead for the Texas star, writing:
“I wrote at the end of last year how the Manning down the stretch in 2025 was the one many expected. If he's that guy for a full season, then this is a no-brainer.
If the Dolphins are drafting No. 1 overall, it likely means the Malik Willis experiment didn't pay off dividends. Manning would be stepping into a very rough situation, but at least it's one that's already gone through a fire sale.
The Dolphins are top three in cap space the next two offseasons to build around their young quarterback.”
Cleveland’s mock draft haul goes beyond Moore. The Browns also get Virginia Tech tight end Luke Reynolds at No. 31 overall, with that pick coming from the Los Angeles Rams. Renner pointed to the fit with Harold Fannin Jr. and Todd Monken’s offense:
“Drafting more of an inline tight end would let the Browns relegate Harold Fannin Jr. to more of the movable role he's comfortable in. It would also give Todd Monken incredible flexibility in his two tight end sets as both Fannin and Reynolds can split wide and run routes like receivers.”
The Bengals also show up in the first round, even if Renner has them picking 18th in 2027. Cincinnati is projected to take Kentucky offensive tackle Lance Heard, and Renner noted Heard’s winding college path before landing with the Wildcats:
“He'd fit right in on a quietly physical offensive line. Orlando Brown Jr.'s dwindling play and higher cap numbers may make him expendable after this year.”
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