FOX Sports' early look at the 2027 NFL Draft points to a quarterback-heavy first round, with Drew Mestemaker projected as the first passer selected and one of six quarterbacks taken on opening night. The mock draft is still very much a snapshot of where things stand now, but it offers an early read on how teams might approach the next draft cycle.
Mel Kiper Jr. made clear that this was only a what-if exercise based on the talent available right now. As he put it, “But if the draft were held today — and all of the best eligible prospects were available — here is how I think the first round of the 2027 NFL Draft would go.” That framing matters, because the 2026 NFL season was not yet halfway through when the projection was published.
A quarterback class that still has room to change
The headline result is simple: six quarterbacks were projected in the first round, a sign that demand at the position could again dominate the top of the draft. Mestemaker was slotted No. 3 overall to the Miami Dolphins, making him the first quarterback off the board in the mock draft.
That kind of projection is usually less about a finished product and more about anticipation. At this stage of the process, teams are still evaluating college production, future development and how the NIL landscape might affect who actually enters the draft. Kiper’s mock also reflects that uncertainty by treating the 2027 class as early speculation rather than a final forecast.
The quarterback market can shift quickly, but the early structure of this mock suggests several teams could still be searching for a long-term answer by 2027. That creates a setting where the position pushes up the board even if the class itself is still developing.
Why the rest of the first round matters
The mock draft also hinted at the broader shape of the top 10. FOX Sports' projection included players such as Jeremiah Smith, Colin Simmons, Leonard Moore and Dylan Stewart near the top of the board, reinforcing that the class is not only about quarterbacks.
Even so, the quarterback count stands out. Six first-round passers would make this a class that teams will be watching closely throughout the college football season. It also means the next several months matter for prospects trying to separate themselves as the best option at the most important position in the sport.
For now, the takeaway is straightforward: Kiper's early 2027 mock draft sees Drew Mestemaker leading a quarterback-rich first round, and the position could again shape how the top of the draft unfolds.
