Despite elite pocket presence, the Ducks' star quarterback faces sliding draft stock as analysts favor Arch Manning and question Moore’s ability to thrive under intense defensive pressure.
Had Dante Moore decided to enter the 2026 NFL Draft, he would have likely been taken in the Top 10 as the No. 2 quarterback behind Fernando Mendoza, who went to the Las Vegas Raiders with the first overall pick.
Moore made a wise decision to return to the Oregon Ducks for his second season as a starter. He made a lot of positive plays with the Ducks last year, but he struggled when facing pressure.
Moore needs to limit his turnovers and get the ball out of his hands quickly this season. Those are two skills that will be musts when he enters the league next year.
There is chatter around the league that Moore is the top prospect for the 2027 draft, though Arch Manning is getting buzz more for his last name than talent shown during the 2025 campaign.
Mike Renner of CBS Sports recently came out with a mock draft for 2027. He has Manning going No. 1 to the Arizona Cardinals. With the No. 3 pick, the New York Jets were projected to land Moore.
"There's a strong chance Dante Moore would have been a Jet had he declared last year, but now he gets another year of seasoning at Oregon," Renner wrote. "Moore is a silky-smooth pocket passer who can hit throws at every level of the field.
"He just needs to improve his play under pressure this season."
The Jets at No. 3 would be a disappointment for Moore, who could have been drafted by New York if he entered the draft this spring. It's unclear if that organization would be the best fit for the Ducks star.
Renner had Moore going behind Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith to the Miami Dolphins at No. 2. Would Miami pass up on drafting Moore to take Smith?
The Dolphins signed Malik Willis to a three-year contract worth $67 million. If Miami does poorly enough that they're on the clock at No. 2, it would make sense for the team to go with a quarterback with the pick, as Willis wouldn't have been the answer in 2026.
