ESPN analyst Jordan Reid forecasts a draft-day blockbuster, projecting the Cleveland Browns to secure the top pick and reunite the Ducks star with mentor Dillon Gabriel.
Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore is in the driver's seat this season.
After choosing to forgo the 2026 NFL Draft, he could become the No. 1 pick in the draft if he makes improvements with his decision-making and avoiding pressure against elite teams this fall.
Moore's competition to be the top quarterback in the 2027 draft are Texas' Arch Manning and Notre Dame's CJ Carr.
Jordan Reid of ESPN predicted Moore to go No. 1. He thinks the Cleveland Browns would trade with the Miami Dolphins to go get Moore, putting the Oregon quarterback with his former teammate in Eugene, Dillon Gabriel.
"I had the Dolphins trade out because they recently invested in Malik Willis," Reid wrote. "While a lot depends on Willis' performance this season, Miami does already have a promising young quarterback. Unless Shedeur Sanders makes a massive leap in Year 2 (which seems unlikely), the Browns do not.
"Deshaun Watson's contract ends after this season, as well, making this a perfect time for Cleveland to take another swing at that elusive franchise QB to join the young talent it has accumulated in the past couple of drafts."
Reid didn't note Gabriel in his piece. He appears to be the No. 3 QB in Cleveland this year, and likely won't be a factor in the team's decision to draft a quarterback in the first round next year.
Still, it could be an interesting dynamic for Moore if he lands in Cleveland, as Gabriel was his tutor at Oregon during the 2024 season.
Reid thinks Moore could help the Browns become contenders in the near future.
"Moore has squeaky-clean mechanics, and his accuracy shone in his first year as a starter," Reid wrote.
"This would be a good situation for him, with young players he can grow alongside. If he brings his stellar college play to the NFL, the Browns could turn things around quickly."
If Moore joined the Browns next year, he'd enter a decent situation with a strong defense and a head coach who has a long history of helping quarterbacks, in Todd Monken. Rookie wide receiver KC Concepcion could be a solid target for Moore in the future.
