Preseason mock draft has QBs going 1-2-3; history suggests that's unlikely

Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Preseason mock draft has QBs going 1-2-3; history suggests that's unlikely

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Aug 26, 2026 2:21 PM ET

Many experts believe there will be another quarterback rush in the 2027 NFL Draft, scheduled April 29-May 1 in Washington.

Count ESPN's Jordan Reid among them. In his new mock draft published Wednesday, he had the Cleveland Browns trading up from No. 4 to No. 1 with the Miami Dolphins to select Oregon Ducks QB Dante Moore (6-foot-3, 2026 pounds). The Arizona Cardinals grabbed Texas Longhorns QB Arch Manning (6-foot-4, 222 pounds) with pick No. 2, followed by the New York Jets taking Notre Dame Fighting Irish QB CJ Carr (6-foot-2, 215 pounds).

Even if the QB class fulfills expectations, teams selecting three at the top of the draft remains unlikely.

How many times have QBs gone 1-2-3 in the NFL Draft?

Since the common draft era began in 1967, QBs have been the top three picks four times: 1971, 1999, 2021 and 2024. Note: the 1971 class included Manning's grandfather, Archie, whom the New Orleans Saints selected with pick No. 2, after the New England Patriots drafted Jim Plunkett. The Houston Oilers (now Tennessee Titans) took Dan Pastorini with pick No. 3.

Preseason 2027 Mock Draft:

Highly anticipated class
A shake up at No. 1 overall
QBs go 1-2-3
Strong groups at WR, DT, and CBhttps://t.co/Awlqj3w8td
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) August 26, 2026

Of these classes, 2024 may be the best one. Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels (pick No. 2) won 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year, leading the squad to the NFC Championship Game. Patriots QB Drake Maye (pick No. 3) finished second in 2025 league MVP voting behind Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford, piloting the team to Super Bowl LX. Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams (pick No. 1) carried the NFC North club to its first playoff win since the 2010 season last season.

How do Dante Moore, Arch Manning and CJ Carr compare to 2024's top passers?

Moore (30 touchdown passes in 2025, tied for No. 6 in FBS) is the most accomplished QB of the bunch after leading Oregon to the College Football Playoff last season. Arch Manning (26 TD passes in 2025, tied for No. 17 in FBS) won 2025 Citrus Bowl MVP in a 41-27 win over the Michigan Wolverines. Carr (24 TD passes in 2025, tied for No. 24 in FBS) went 10-2 in his first season as a starter in 2025.

Their resumes pale in comparison to Williams and Maye at this point in their careers. Williams won the 2022 Heisman Trophy, tossing an FBS-leading 42 TD passes in 14 games for the USC Trojans. Maye finished 10th in 2022 Heisman voting, throwing an ACC-leading 38 TD passes in 14 games in his first season as a full-time starter for the North Carolina Tar Heels.

It may take more time for these QBs, as it did for Daniels. He won the 2023 Heisman Trophy, throwing an SEC-leading 40 TD passes in 12 games for the LSU Tigers. He never threw more than 17 TD passes in his first four collegiate seasons with LSU and the Arizona State Sun Devils. But these late-career surges are infrequent.

A class must be considered exceptional, like it was in 2024, for QBs to go 1-2-3 overall. The 2027 group may be great, but it may not be in the same ballpark.

Clark Dalton

Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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