After Week 4, a lot has already changed in the NFL. For the Browns especially, they are now 3-1, a record no one could have predicted. The main reason for that record is that the defense has turned itself around, and Deshaun Watson is playing like the player everyone thought he was when they traded for him.
However, have yet to see a complete game from Watson, so it has us believing a change is coming at quarterback in 2027 regardless. Thus, we move on to another set of rankings after another week of college football.
We will provide a top-five ranking, with players just on the outside looking in. This group already looks good after just one week, but it's only been one week. Deeper analysis will come later, so this is a more reactionary take
with some added reasoning for their placement.
With the stage set, here is how things look after Week 5 of the college football season.
Just Missed the Cut:
- Drake Lindsey, Minnesota
- Dante Moore, Oregon
- Julian Sayin, Ohio State
- CJ Carr, Notre Dame
5. Arch Manning, Texas
Week 5: Bye Week
Questions remain about Arch Manning because Texas had a bye. In Week 6, they will face Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry, where nothing is off the table in terms of possibilities. Manning has started just one game against Oklahoma, and it was a win, but again, he didn't blow the doors off with his play in that game. He is still in need of a monumental performance and doing it against Oklahoma would be a good way for him to get his draft stock back on track.
4. Austin Simmons, Missouri
Week 5: 23 for 30 passing, 340 passing yards, and two touchdowns
I had not gotten my eyes fully on Austin Simmons till this past weekend, and that is on me, and I apologize to the Simmons family. He has one of the more talented arms in college football and is a bona fide draft prospect. The zip and accuracy he puts on his passes is arguably the best I have seen in the class. He is left-handed, which I am sure will turn some folks off, but his decision-making and arm talent are jaw-dropping at times.
3. Darian Mensah, Miami (FL)
Week 5: 18 for 27 passing, 227 passing yards, and one touchdown
Darian Mensah stays in the middle of things after a win over Clemson on the road. The run game did a lot of work against the Tigers, and Mensah was able to play service manager more than anything. He still has shown to be a dynamic player through the first month of college football, but with Austin Simmons biting his heels, then things could get interesting in the rankings here. Mensah needs a signature performance, and those aren't likely to come, if at all, until the Hurricanes stare down Notre Dame next month.
2. Drew Mestemaker, Oklahoma State
Week 5: Bye Week
The young and talented arm of Drew Mestemaker remains in our top two despite him being on a Bye. In Week 5, Oklahoma State plays UCF, which should be another passable test, but the following week against Houston will be a tough test. The Cougars have a talented secondary and could present a unique challenge for Mestemaker in terms of his draft evaluation.
1. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss
Week 5: Bye Week
Trinidad Chambliss remains the king of the mountain as he, too, was enjoying a relaxing Bye Week. Ole Miss is still in the middle of the meat grinder that is the SEC. He still has games on his schedule against the likes of a road game against Texas and hosting Georgia. If he continues to play as he has against everyone, but especially them, then he is going to be in the conversation for being the top quarterback nationally.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: 2027 NFL Draft: Updated QB rankings following Week 5 of CFB
