The debate over the No. 1 overall pick in the 2027 NFL Draft could come down to a familiar question for NFL teams: Should they prioritize positional value or take the best player available?

Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is widely considered one of the top prospects in college football. However, NFL draft analyst Todd McShay believes there is a situation in which a team could pass on the talented receiver and select Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker instead.

For teams desperately searching for a franchise quarterback, that decision might be easier than it sounds.

Drew Mestemaker Over Jeremiah Smith? McShay Explains Why

During a discussion about the 2027 NFL Draft on “The Triple Option” podcast, McShay was asked whether there was anyone in the class he would believe in enough to pass on Smith.

The analyst pointed to Mestemaker, explaining, “We would have to have a plan organizationally, and I would have to have a strong belief in quarterback coach, but much more importantly, offensive coordinator slash head coach and in a developmental plan for Mestamaker, because we’re going to start him year one.”

“I mean, that’s just how it works in the NFL. It’s just positional value. If we need one desperately, I’m not taking Jeremiah Smith over Mestamaker, and I’d have to live with it,” he added.

McShay’s comments highlight the NFL’s emphasis on quarterbacks, as finding a franchise QB can change an organization’s future, even if Smith is the more talented prospect.

Drew Mestemaker’s Rise Makes Him a Potential No. 1 Pick

Mestemaker’s rise has been one of the more surprising stories in college football this season.

The Oklahoma State quarterback was initially an unrated high school recruit and did not start a single varsity game at the position. He later walked on at North Texas before transferring to Oklahoma State for the 2026 season.

Since arriving in Stillwater, Mestemaker has quickly climbed draft boards and established himself as one of the leading QB prospects in the 2027 class.

A recent midseason poll of 25 NFL scouts and executives showed just how much his stock has increased. Seventeen of the 25 voters selected Mestemaker as their favorite to be the first quarterback taken in the draft.

Entering Saturday’s game at Kansas State, Mestemaker had completed 184 of 281 passes for 2,649 yards, 25 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Mestemaker also holds an 83.9 grade, ranking 28th on PFN’s CFB QB Impact Rankings.

Other prospects who could enter the conversation for the No. 1 overall pick include Texas’ Colin Simmons and Arch Manning, Miami’s Darian Mensah, and South Carolina’s Dylan Stewart.