Hold onto your hats, your kids and your 2027 NFL Draft picks.
The specter of what many talent evaluators say could be a potentially all-time great draft class — rich with projected franchise quarterbacks, high-end positional-value stars and depth throughout — is looming over the 2026 first round.
Will there be fewer splash trades because teams are more reluctant than normal to part with future draft capital?
“I do not get the sense that anybody wants to part with 2027 picks at this point in time,” NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah, a former scout for three franchises, said. “If we have a bold move and someone comes up and parts with a 2027 pick, I’ll be very surprised.”
The Jets already have a capital headstart with three first-round picks, thanks to trades with the Cowboys (Quinnen Williams) and Colts (Sauce Gardner). Depending on Thursday’s outcome, they figure to be in the quarterback market along with others who see the 2027 class as a third coming of 1983 and 2024.
“We thought this year was going to be loaded with quarterbacks: They all fizzled out and they’re being pushed into next year,” said ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr., who singled out Texas’ Arch Manning and South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers. “Next year we’re expecting all this (greatness). Does it actually happen? You don’t know. Teams would like to position themselves for next year if the opportunity presented itself.”
Here are 13 prospects who could have NFL scouts salivating in 2027:
QB Arch Manning, Texas
Despite his roller-coaster first season starting, some scouts believe he would’ve been no worse than the second quarterback drafted in 2026. Genes matter. He combines the patented Manning deep-ball touch and quick release with better mobility than his uncles.
QB Dante Moore, Oregon
Moore passed on potentially being the No. 2 pick in 2026 after his 30-touchdown breakout to add to his 20 career starts. He is a pure passer with a touch of Mahomesian arm-angle creativity. The concern lies in the durability of his lean 6-foot-3 frame.
QB Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss
Because he was granted a sixth year of eligibility, Chambliss will be a 25-year-old rookie. He is at his best cooking off of RPOs. Chambliss’ legs are a weapon but lead him to early abandonment of his progressions.
QB Julian Sayin, Ohio State
If teams get past his 6-foot-1 size, there is a lot to like: Quick processing, layered throws with zip, in-stride ball placement and ball security. He hasn’t shown much in the way of off-script playmaking, holding the ball too long and taking sacks against fierce pass rushes.
WR Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
“If you built an NFL receiver to do anything you want them to do, it would be him,” former Ohio State receivers coach Brian Hartline told The Post. The sure-handed Smith could be the highest drafted receiver since 2007 (No. 2). He creates easy separation, runs through arm tackles and raises his game in the big moment (27 touchdowns in 29 games).
WR Ryan Williams, Alabama
The encore to his explosive freshman season wasn’t quite as good (FBS-high 13 drops) but he is still averaging 16 yards per catch over his career. He creates separation with elite speed and a bag of tricks and then tracks deep throws like an outfielder.
WR Cam Coleman, Texas
What will he do with better quarterback play than he had at Auburn (13 touchdowns in two seasons)? Freaky athleticism fills his highlight reel with above-the-rim contested catches and contortionism. Size, speed and strength combination. Is he a willing blocker?
TE Jamari Johnson, Oregon
Notre Dame and Iowa are battling for “Tight End U.” but Oregon is gaining steam. Some evaluators say Johnson is better than Cowboys star Jake Ferguson and soon-to-be first-round pick Kenyon Sadiq. He is a sure-handed 6-foot-5 pass-catcher who will in-line block.
OT Trevor Goosby, Texas
The 312-pounder allowed just one sack by using his kick-step to set deep and wide, lateral quickness to handle speed rushers and anchor against bull-rushers. Goosby can get knocked off-balance by counter-moves and fakes. He has experience at both bookends.
Edge Colin Simmons, Texas
Is he the next Von Miller? Simmons has elite first-step quickness and his footwork is clean as he dips underneath upright tackles and stays low to the ground. He has mastered the strip-sack (21 sacks, six forced fumbles) but can get eliminated against the run.
Edge Dylan Stewart, South Carolina
Already an expert in facing double teams, Stewart has 11 sacks and six forced fumbles in 24 games. He can bend the edge with speed or walk-back a blocker. His first-step quickness is matched by his closing speed. Agitators can make him lose his cool.
DT David Stone, Oklahoma
Stone looks like a first-rounder closing off running lanes but only totaled 2.5 sacks as a pass-rusher (the ability needed to elevate into the Top-10 picks). His motor runs hot, so he will over-run the ball in pursuit, but coaches don’t complain about too much effort.
CB Leonard Moore, Notre Dame
The FBS co-leader in interceptions last season (five) lined up across the field and flashed length, size and speed. Moore reads the quarterback’s eyes and jumps into passing lanes. He needs to clean up his tackling but possesses an appetite to be great.