The number one player in the 2027 NFL Draft will likely be Ohio State's dynamic receiver Jeremiah Smith. He will enter the '27 as the consensus number one ranked player. Consider the NFL success of Buckeye receivers in recent years — Smith is projected to be better than all of them! This makes the next statement even harder to digest — with the loaded QB class — he will likely not be the first overall pick. Texas Longhorns star rusher Colin Simmons will also be in the class. He had 12 sacks last season. There are several more potential non-QB stars which I will cover soon. No matter the team needs — or really their 1st round slot — the value of the pick is immensely more compared to the 2026 pick. This creates an interesting dilemma for QB needy teams — even for teams with multiple picks.

If you are a QB needy team this year — such as the Jets, Cardinals, Browns or Steelers — do you take a shot this year? The Raiders certainly will — and at number one it makes sense — but I would listen to offers — they will not. Teams such as Miami, Indianapolis, Cowboys (?), Vikings, Panthers, Buccaneers and the Falcons could also be in play by the '27 draft. Think about it before you disagree.

The Jets have three first round picks next season and two this season. Should they take a flier on a QB this season? I say no. Build your team — ride with Geno this year — then get into the loaded QB class next season with a team that can support him. If you are Arizona — do the same. Leave Simpson alone — the team will be really bad in 2026 — take one on the chin — build a team in this draft — then get ready for the QB in 2027.

My ratings for the 2026 NFL Draft QB class starts with Fernando Mendoza — like it does with everyone else. I have Mendoza with an 8.78 grade — 20th overall on my board. Don't get me wrong — I like him — and if you weight positions, he is of course much higher. If I'm the Raiders — unless a monumental trade is offered — I would take Mendoza as well. I think he will be a good QB — potentially top half of the league — plus he is tough, a leader, with big game experience.

However, keep in mind — I rarely agree with the pundits, in fact I kick their collective arses repeatedly — but for once I buy into the hype of the '27 class. Projection is more important than the now. When drafting a QB — or really any position — you should be projecting how good they will be in '28, '29 and onward. Right now, Mendoza is better BUT — I would take a few above him. With the Mendoza 8.78 grade in mind — here are my grades for the '27 top QBs:

People hate the tanking strategy — but the path to rebuilding a team is being bad when it matters — see the Colts with Manning, the Browns and Bengals in '99 (Tim Couch and Akili Smith) and QB needy teams in this year's class. The 2027 QB class has the potential to turn teams around — especially with the top four.

Keep an eye on Sorsby and Leavitt — both super athletic — in new systems — look out. Leavitt reminds me of a bigger Johnny Manziel without the headaches — or even a Jaxson Dart. Like Dart — he needs to settle down a bit but whew — what a special athlete.

Onward and upward — more to come.