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The Oregon Ducks received unexpected news last offseason when quarterback Dante Moore opted to return for the 2026 season rather than enter the 2026 NFL Draft. However, Moore's season has now been cut short after he suffered an injury against USC, and he will miss the remainder of the year.
At the close of the 2025 college football season, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. ranked Moore as the top overall prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft, praising his poise and accuracy. Kiper noted that Moore finished third in the FBS in completion percentage (72.5%) and highlighted his deep-ball touch and scrambling ability. Despite playing in adverse conditions and missing key receivers, tight end, and offensive linemen due to injuries, Moore still performed well. Kiper's primary concern was Moore's limited experience as a third-year sophomore with only 17 career starts.
When Moore decided to return to school, Fernando Mendoza became the consensus top quarterback for the 2026 draft. Even if Mendoza went first overall, Moore was likely to be the second pick had he declared. Now, Moore may not even be a top-five selection in the 2027 NFL Draft.
Before the injury, Moore was considered the top quarterback prospect for the 2027 draft, ahead of Arch Manning. He opened the season with a strong performance against Boise State, throwing for 378 yards and three touchdowns, though the team struggled and scrutiny of his draft stock began. In the following game, a loss to Oklahoma State, he completed just 14 of 39 passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns. He bounced back against Portland State with 280 passing yards and four scores. Against USC, Moore completed eight of ten passes for 77 yards before leaving with the injury.
Meanwhile, other quarterbacks have risen on draft boards. Drew Mestemaker of Oklahoma State climbed to second overall behind Jeremiah Smith on big boards, while Darian Mensah (Miami), Trinidad Chambliss (Ole Miss), CJ Carr (Notre Dame), and Austin Simmons (Missouri) all surpassed Moore. Kiper placed Moore 25th overall and seventh among quarterbacks.
Kiper still offered praise for Moore's abilities: "When Moore is at the top of his game, he's an impressive passer. He changes arm angles, he's mechanically sound, he displays precise ball placement, and there's good touch on his deep ball. Throws look effortless because of his arm strength, and he can deliver strikes while rolling out. There's even some scramble ability there. The toolbox is full," Kiper wrote. "But he has to show he can take over some games against top-tier competition." Kiper pointed to Moore's exceptional performance against Penn State in 2025, when the Nittany Lions were ranked No. 3, as a sign of his potential, but noted that Moore couldn't replicate that success against other top teams.
Key Analysis
Moore's draft stock is now complicated. He was already sliding down draft boards, with six quarterbacks projected ahead of him, and a fall out of the first round was possible. As the team underwhelmed, Moore was bound to shoulder some blame. Now, he won't have the chance to prove that his early-season struggles were just a blip. Additionally, the injury raises concerns: Moore returned to practice in recent weeks but never reached full health. His medical reports and recovery will be a major part of the draft process, and if they are not positive, his stock could plummet further.
Part of Moore's stock will depend on which other quarterbacks declare for the draft. Mestemaker, Mensah, Carr, Simmons, and Manning all have the option to return to school, as Moore did last season. Moore himself could also return, as he will have a fifth year of eligibility in 2027. If he declares without playing another snap for Oregon and others also enter the NFL, Moore could be a day-two pick or potentially later.
Originally reported by yahoo.