2027 NFL Draft preview: Can Oklahoma State’s Drew Mestemaker claim QB1 status with strong performance vs. Houston? appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
We are still six months away from the 2027 NFL Draft, but it’s never too early to talk about who will be the No. 1 quarterback in the class. With Arch Manning struggling and Drian Mensah yet to play a legit college football team, Oklahoma State QB Drew Mestemaker has a chance to stake his claim as the top signal-caller in next year’s draft. As Oklahoma State gets ready to play Houston on Saturday, let’s look at Mestemaker’s chances of claiming that QB1 status.
On Saturday evening, No. 18 Oklahoma State travels to Texas to take on the No. 20 team in the land, Houston. The matchup will see Mestemaker take on a Houston secondary that held Kansas State’s Avery Johnson to just 182 passing yards and one interception. On the other side of the field is Connor Weigman, a Day 2 NFL prospect.
So, if Mestemaker, the North Texas transfer who is making a name for himself with the Cowboys, has a big game and leads his team to victory, could he cement his spot as QB1 in the next NFL Draft?
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Can Drew Mestemaker become QB1 in the 2027 NFL Draft on Saturday?

The answer to whether or not Drew Mestemaker can become the top QB in the 2027 NFL Draft is both yes and no.
On the yes side, this is a prime-time game on national TV that will allow many fans, pundits, and NFL decision-makers to get a look at Mestemaker. If he has a good game, slings the ball all around the yard, and shows his sneaky athleticism while leading his team to victory, he can absolutely become QB1 of his draft class right now.
Manning and Texas have a tough matchup against Florida, where he may continue to struggle. Mensah takes on a mediocre 3-3 Florida State team, C.J. Carr and Notre Dame have a tough test against No. 8 BYU, as does Trinidad Chambliss and Ole Miss against Missouri. It’s not out of the question that three of these QBs have a tough day, and Mensah continues to get little credit for beating up on the ACC.
Additionally, Mestemaker is taking on Weigman, who is a legit Day 2 2027 NFL Draft prospect. If the Cowboys’ signal-caller looks head and shoulders above the Cougars’ passer, it will only help to boost Mestemaker’s status.
When we all compose ourselves on Monday or Tuesday from the weekend that was in pro and college football, there is a real chance that Mestmaker will seem like the most NFL-ready franchise QB in this draft class.
All that said, there is zero chance that Mestemaker grabs ahold of the QB1 mantle in a way that he can’t lose it as soon as the next week against Colorado or two weeks later vs. Texas Tech. We are way too early in the draft process for (almost) any quarterback to cement their draft position in 2027, and there is still a prospect with “MANNING” on the back of his jersey in this group.
There is a lot of football left to play this year, and the No. 1 QB in the 2027 NFL Draft will likely go back and forth all the way to the NFL combine and possibly even beyond. And this draft cycle is unique, as a Manning may be a part of it. If Arch Manning has a high-level run at any point this season (and even if he doesn’t), there is a pretty good chance that he will be the first QB off the board in April, no matter what.
So, yes, Drew Mestemaker could become the QB1 of the 2027 NFL Draft after Oklahoma State takes on Houston, but even if he does, that title will almost certainly be passed around between now and April 29, 2027.
Related: Arch Manning, Dante Moore take massive tumble on Mel Kiper’s 2027 NFL Draft Big Board
Related: Drew Mestemaker trails only Jeremiah Smith on Mel Kiper Jr.’s 2027 NFL Draft Big Board
