After Week 3, a lot has already changed in the NFL. For the Browns especially, they are now 2-1, 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 an All-Pro in the fourth quarter.
However, it is the play in the first three quarters that has us believing a change is coming at quarterback in 2027. 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 4 of the college football season.
Just Missed the Cut:
- Drake Lindsey, Minnesota
- Julian Sayin, Ohio State
- CJ Carr, Notre Dame
5. Dante Moore, Oregon
Week 1: 8 for 10 passing, 77 passing yards, and no touchdowns*
* Moore left the game after a hit caused him to suffer a concussion
Moore drops in the rankings, but it feels unnecessary to focus at all on his play from this past weekend. Rather, he is falling because everyone else in this class is rising on occasion in dramatic ways. Here is hoping Moore comes back as soon as he can and can show folks what he is capable of as a quarterback prospect.
4. Darian Mensah, Miami (FL)
Week 4: 23 for 27 passing, 338 passing yards, and three touchdowns
Darian Mensah continues to dominate every opponent he and Miami face early in the season. He needs to keep it up against the tougher teams on his schedule, but that's a few weeks away. Until then, we can enjoy the smooth playmaking, the mechanics, and the pocket awareness that has folks hyping him up. He remains a top prospect at the position, but work remains to be done in the coming weeks.
3. Arch Manning, Texas
Week 4: 14 for 19, 201 passing yards, no touchdowns, and one interception
ESPN's Jordan Reid put it best this weekend when he explained that Arch Manning has yet to play a complete game. This weekend, Manning did what he had to do for Texas to secure a road win, the first road win over a ranked team in Manning's career that didn't require overtime. As it relates to his play, he remains sound with everything he does, but he is just lacking that spark, and it is starting to show. He needs to be able to take over games, that isn't happening. With the players he has around him, top wide receiver prospects, two solid running backs, and an offensive line that can all play in the NFL, he has no more excuses. Is he under a bigger microscope? Sure, but for me personally, it is because of who is around him versus what his last name is.
2. Drew Mestemaker, Oklahoma State
Week 4: 20 for 27 passing, 389 passing yards, three touchdowns, and one interception
Drew Mestemaker had some growing pains in Week 1, but he has woken up since then. His natural arm talent continues to shine, his accuracy to all levels, and his decision-making to not give the ball away all lead to him surging up my rankings. I had a first-round grade on him in the summer, and so far he is playing like a top-10 pick all over again. Oklahoma State's schedule is going to get tougher, which will be a good test for Mestemaker and his prospects.
1. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss
Week 4: 25 for 34 passing, 298 passing yards, 44 rushing yards, three total touchdowns, and one interception
I am making a leap off the proverbial QB1 cliff, and I am planting the flag for Trinidad Chambliss. Even in a loss, Chambliss was doing everything he could to drag this Ole Miss team to the finish line. The score did not reflect the closeness of the game, but this is a classic example of why wins and losses are not a good quarterback stat. His dual-threat ability shines; he is a leader on this team, and he should be someone that NFL teams do not overthink. Bo Nix was a 24-year-old prospect; Russell Wilson and Bryce Young were smaller quarterbacks.
The NFL needs to watch the film and trust it.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: 2027 NFL Draft: Updated QB rankings following Week 4 of CFB
