{
  "id": 8645434,
  "title": "Why Jeremiah Smith has to be the No. 1 pick in 2027 NFL Draft",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/why-jeremiah-smith-has-to-be-the-no-1-pick-in-2027-nfl-draft",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-20T08:23:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/why-jeremiah-smith-no-1-082347190.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "As the 2026 college football season progresses, NFL front offices are already speculating about the 2027 Draft. Conventional wisdom dictates that if a team takes the No. 1 overall selection, they should invest it in a potential franchise quarterback. Quarterbacks like Texas' Arch Manning, Oregon's Dante Moore, and Notre Dame's CJ Carr are anticipated to draw considerable interest. However, unless one of them proves to be an unassailable, generational talent, GMs must scrutinize raw ability rather than adhere to positional dogma. This is where Jeremiah Smith enters the conversation. Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 220 pounds, Smith's unique physical attributes make him a difficult matchup in single coverage. His exceptional vertical speed and sudden deceleration enable him to beat defenders to the top of his routes, while his size aids him at the line of scrimmage and provides quarterbacks greater leeway on contested throws. Smith's performance speaks volumes about his mental resilience. As a freshman in 2024, he shattered Ohio State's freshman records with 76 receptions for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns. This production occurred within a program that has churned out NFL first-round receivers like Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Marvin Harrison Jr. The argument that a No. 1 quarterback is the only right move remains relevant if one of the 2027 quarterback prospects shines and solidifies their position as a franchise cornerstone. However, an excessive focus on locating a \"sure thing\" quarterback could prove detrimental if that pick does not pan out as expected. Spending the most valuable draft asset on a solid-but-not-stellar signal-caller due to fear of missing out could leave a franchise handicapped for years. While elite quarterbacks require constant attention, a dominant pass-catcher can still turn an entire offense on its head. Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase have proven that an elite wideout can dominate defenses, generate explosive plays, and alleviate pressure on the quarterback. There is still plenty of football left in the 2026 season for quarterbacks to bolster their cases. Smith, too, has a ways to go before NFL teams can render a final verdict. However, when April 2027 arrives and he remains the most highly-rated player on the board, front offices must not let tradition dictate the outcome. The NFL has, for the past three decades, treated the No. 1 pick like a quarterback's domain. If Jeremiah Smith continues on his present trajectory, he could very well be the singular receiver talented enough to shatter that mold.",
  "summary": "We are still early in the 2026 college football season, but NFL front offices are already charting projections for the 2027 NFL Draft. Whenever that cycle begins, quarterbacks inevitably dominate the discussion. The default operating assumption is that if a franchise secures the No. 1 overall selection, it must spend it on a prospective franchise […] The post Why Jeremiah Smith has to be the No.…",
  "key_points": [
    "Jeremiah Smith stands 6-3, 220 pounds with exceptional vertical speed",
    "Freshman 2024 records: 76 receptions for 1,315 yards and 15 TDs",
    "Smith could challenge No. 1 quarterback tradition in 2027 draft"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}