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By Matthew Couden
Contributing Writer
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Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore returned for another college football season hoping to become more NFL-ready, only to have his campaign cut short after four games by a late hit that gave him a concussion and sent him to the hospital.
He's now watching on the sidelines as backup Dylan Raiola is attempting to lead the Ducks, but the team is struggling. Moore's situation has raised questions about how his decision to return to play for Oregon has impacted his NFL Draft stock.
College football analyst Todd McShay recently shared his thoughts on Moore's situation. He suggested that this was supposed to be a season where Moore came back and had his "Fernando Mendoza moments" to wow scouts and gain experience before the NFL.
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Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy and led Indiana to the National Championship, then became No. 1 pick for the Las Vegas Raiders. Unfortunately, Moore won't have a similar season.
"I've got him as the 20th-ranked player in this class, but kinda was hoping he was gonna elevate when he came back," McShay said. "Bunched-up quarterback group. I've got him at fifth quarterback in the class right now, but it's fluctuating constantly it feels like with this wild and crazy year with the quarterback class."
More news: Analyst: Oregon QB Dante Moore Could Skip 2027 NFL Draft
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McShay discussed the financial implications of falling in the draft order. He suggested dropping from a potential top-two pick to somewhere around the No. 10 pick in the NFL Draft could cost Moore $20 to $24 million in rookie contract value, but he reminded everyone that's not why Moore returned to Oregon for another season.
"It's not about the rookie contract," McShay said. "It was about coming back to gain the experience so he was more ready to start as a rookie [in the NFL]."
Many mock drafts projected Moore in the top five, or top two, until the season-ending concussion occurred. ESPN's Jordan Reid unveiled an early 2027 NFL mock draft in late August with Moore topping the order as the No. 1 pick for the Cleveland Browns. He listed Texas's Arch Manning as second overall.
One can see how quickly things change with this season of college football, the NFL, and the 2027 mock drafts. The Browns are playing well enough they might not be anywhere near the No. 1 pick, and Manning has seen his draft stock fall considerably, with some critics suggesting he needs another season of college football experience.
More recent mock drafts have Oklahoma State's phenomenal quarterback Drew Mestemaker as the No. 2 pick in the draft behind Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith. Other quarterbacks listed ahead of Moore in mock drafts or prospect rankings include Notre Dame's CJ Carr, Miami's Darian Mensah, and Ole Miss's Trinidad Chambliss.
However, a Tankathon mock draft shows Moore at No. 14 and suggests the Browns will be in prime position to add him to the roster at that spot, giving them a potential future franchise quarterback.
Some have suggested that since Moore has another season of college eligibility, he could opt to return to Oregon in 2027 rather than declare for the draft. Whether Moore makes that surprising decision to try again for another season of college football or tries his luck in the 2027 NFL Draft remains to be seen.
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