Oregon quarterback Dante Moore remains firmly in the early first-round conversation for the 2027 NFL Draft despite suffering a frightening concussion against USC.
Just days after Moore took a hard hit to the head from USC linebacker Desman Stephens II during Oregon's 41-27 win Saturday, ClutchPoints' latest 2027 NFL mock draft projects the quarterback to land with the Cleveland Browns at No. 9 overall. Moore was carted off the field and taken to a hospital after the second-quarter hit, but Oregon coach Dan Lanning later announced that his MRI and CT scans came back clean and revealed no additional injuries.
ClutchPoints' Tim Crean projected Cleveland to select Moore with its first-round pick.
“9. Cleveland Browns: QB Dante Moore, Oregon
Last pick: QB Drew Mestemaker, Oklahoma State
As long as Dante Moore comes all the way back from his concussion after the incredibly dirty hit in the USC game, he should still be a top-10 selection in the 2027 NFL Draft. His size, skill, and athleticism are just too much to ignore, even though he’s had a rough season thus far, even before the headshot.”
Moore's injury interrupted a season in which the Oregon quarterback has completed 69.7% of his passes for 926 yards and nine touchdowns without an interception through four games. The Ducks improved to 3-1 with the victory over USC and climbed to No. 15 in the AP Top 25.
The concussion came when Moore scrambled for an 11-yard gain and began to slide before Stephens struck him in the head and chest. Officials ejected Stephens for targeting, and USC later suspended the linebacker for one game. Oregon has a bye before returning against UCLA on Oct. 10, giving Moore additional time to progress through his recovery.
Browns' start with Deshaun Watson adds intrigue to Dante Moore projection
While the latest mock draft connects Moore to Cleveland, Deshaun Watson has helped the Browns open the 2026 season with their best three-game record since 2023.
Cleveland improved to 2-1 with a 21-18 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, with Watson engineering an eight-play, 55-yard drive late in the fourth quarter and connecting with Harold Fannin Jr. for the go-ahead touchdown. Watson finished the game 16 of 30 for 144 yards and two touchdowns.
Through three starts this season, Watson has completed 56 of 82 passes for 587 yards, five touchdowns and one interception, producing a 68.3% completion rate and a 104.1 passer rating. He has also added 105 rushing yards on 24 attempts as Cleveland has won consecutive games following its season-opening loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Watson's early performance gives Cleveland a different quarterback outlook than it carried into the season, but Crean's projection shows how the position could remain a major storyline ahead of the 2027 NFL Draft.
Moore's immediate focus will be on his recovery and eventual return to Oregon. If he returns to form, his combination of production and physical tools could keep him in the top-10 discussion as the college football season progresses.