Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is emerging as a potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, a rare prospect for a player at his position. The last wide receiver to be selected first overall was Keyshawn Johnson in 1996, underscoring the challenge Smith faces in a draft class expected to be led by quarterbacks.
Smith’s projection as a top pick depends largely on the performance and perceived potential of quarterback prospects such as Oklahoma State’s Drew Mestemaker and Miami’s Darian Mensah. “He needs for the quarterbacks to not answer the bell,” said former NFL executive and ESPN analyst Louis Riddick. If the quarterbacks in this class falter or fail to elevate their teams, Smith’s combination of physical attributes, character, and position-specific skills could give him an edge.
Historically, quarterbacks dominate the top draft selections. Only four times in the past 21 drafts has the first quarterback selected gone within the top three picks without being No. 1 overall — a trend that appears likely to continue given the current draft order. Several teams projected to pick in the top eight—such as the Los Angeles Chargers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Tennessee Titans—already have established quarterbacks in Justin Herbert, Baker Mayfield, and Cam Ward, raising doubts about their motivation to select a quarterback early.
Scouts acknowledge that Smith could influence decision-making among teams with and without quarterback needs. One NFL scout noted that Smith may be the “unicorn” prospect of the class, blending physical prowess, athleticism, toughness, and character in a way that could earn him the highest rating he has awarded a receiver or any non-quarterback in two decades. The scout compared Smith to some of the most elite wide receivers in recent NFL history, saying, “If you combine the best of Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers, you get Jeremiah.”
Smith’s attributes include a rare combination of size—standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 225 pounds—speed comparable to Ja'Marr Chase’s 4.38-second 40-yard dash time, and the ability to break tackles and make defenders miss. The scout also highlighted Smith’s physicality, likening him to Hall of Famers Julio Jones, Calvin Johnson, and Larry Fitzgerald in terms of impact and potential.
As Ohio State prepared for a marquee matchup against No. 5-ranked opponents during the college football weekend, Smith’s draft stock continued to provoke discussion. His unique skill set may force NFL teams to reconsider the long-standing preference for quarterbacks when selecting the top overall player. However, whether his position can truly trump the importance of franchise quarterbacks remains contingent on the development of the 2027 quarterback prospects.