For those hoping for Dante the Duck in 2026

Yeah I don’t think ESPN or CBS have updated their mocks. I’m curious where he ranks now.

Never lose hope lol

Nate Bishop said:

Yeah I don’t think ESPN or CBS have updated their mocks. I’m curious where he ranks now.

I just looked at another mock that had him @ 15 - also to the Steelers.

I don't think this says much. Really come down to Moore calling a presser before anyone will know his direction. He is a different dude, historic models don't really apply

The question is if NFL GMs are willing to stake their jobs on another kid with a low number of starts in college (and, related, how many big grades he gets from said GMs). He is no doubt the QB1 right now in my mind on talent and the low sample size of film he’s put up this year, but the last 3 cases of QBs with very little starting experience in college (see: Anthony Richardson, Mac Jones, Trey Lance) will be a factor. Not saying he stays or goes but there’s still quite a bit in play

I think talent wise he is / deserves to go top 10 that said, there’s enough data to show he really needs to go to a team that will let him sit for 1+ year and not be thrown to the wolves…..but if you take a guy top 5-10 it’s expected that they’ll play right away

Can we give this one a rest for awhile, we all see the success he's having and the chatter he's generating? Do we need multiple posts day after day? Let it play out, Dante seems like he's got good counsel around him and I am sure he'll make the best decision for him when the time comes. Moore has played 14 collegiate games. There's plenty of time to debate the meritss of a stay or go decision when it gets closer.

I was thinking about this a little bit. Who is to say he’d go pro even if he was a first round pick? He chose to come be a backup and learn. To me that shows maturity and wisdom that he wants to grow. It wouldn’t shock me if he went pro but I could easily see him turn it down to develop another year

Duck49er said:

I was thinking about this a little bit. Who is to say he’d go pro even if he was a first round pick? He chose to come be a backup and learn. To me that shows maturity and wisdom that he wants to grow. It wouldn’t shock me if he went pro but I could easily see him turn it down to develop another year

It's definitely possible, but what if he wins the Heisman and he's mocked in the top 3? I just don't see how he could turn that down.

lukey_rid said:

I think talent wise he is / deserves to go top 10 that said, there’s enough data to show he really needs to go to a team that will let him sit for 1+ year and not be thrown to the wolves…..but if you take a guy top 5-10 it’s expected that they’ll play right away

The chances of that happening are slim to none unfortunately

NFL history isn’t fond of these 1 season QBs. I get the league is tempting but I also get the sense he really loves Eugene

Honestly probably better for him long term to get drafted in the middle of the 1st round so he can go to a team with decent talent around him that may just not have a qb. Those top drafts of a qb generally (not always) end up with qbs being beatdown because the team has no o line and/or receivers.

His play is deserving of it. Hope he keeps it up and wins the heisman and goes first overall

Young skill players + Fun schedule next year + NIL If there can be a great case for next year's offense line that he gets to work with I think it could be compelling for Dante to come back. Lanning referenced in the Taylor and Will podcast today seeing QBs that have stuck around in college as why Dante liked the idea of competing but probably sitting last year (referencing Penix, Gabriel, and Bo). Who knows? I'll enjoy the time we have with him this year but would be obviously elated if he came back...

Im putting my call in that he will be back. You dont transfer to sit a year to play one year of college ball to jump to the NFL. I think he is here 2 years then off to the NFL.

Only way I see him gone is if he leads us to a national championship, some mocks have him mid round 1 some don’t even have him 1st round. Really way too early for this kinda discussion

Nate Bishop said:

This is why we can't let it rest. Just enjoy it bc if he keeps playing like he is he's going in the top 5 in the draft and CDL will literally push him out the door. You simply don't pass up the draft when you're graded that high unless you're Andrew Luck.

scooooducksbaybee said:

The question is if NFL GMs are willing to stake their jobs on another kid with a low number of starts in college (and, related, how many big grades he gets from said GMs). He is no doubt the QB1 right now in my mind on talent and the low sample size of film he’s put up this year, but the last 3 cases of QBs with very little starting experience in college (see: Anthony Richardson, Mac Jones, Trey Lance) will be a factor. Not saying he stays or goes but there’s still quite a bit in play

Valid point, but Dante’s upside is just so high I think multiple teams would bite and take him early. Like would you really rather take a guy like Carson Beck, Cade Klubnik, or Drew Allar than Dante? They all have significantly more experience but also significantly less upside.

Keep in mind that if he comes back he’ll be under an even bigger microscope, more pressure and a brand new OL. He’s better than Allar but just as an example, Allar is probably a top 15 pick if he goes last year but nobody is talking about him as a 1st round pick right now. If Dante is projected in the top 10 I would advise him to go. Sucks as a Duck fan but he’s so damn good.

DuckMex said:

Keep in mind that if he comes back he’ll be under an even bigger microscope, more pressure and a brand new OL. He’s better than Allar but just as an example, Allar is probably a top 15 pick if he goes last year but nobody is talking about him as a 1st round pick right now. If Dante is projected in the top 10 I would advise him to go. Sucks as a Duck fan but he’s so damn good.

This x 1000%. You gotta go if you're in the upper half of the 1st round. And sometimes you get lucky. Like, if the draft was today one of the top 2 picks would be the Dolphins. Life could be worse.

Stein staying needs to also be factored in

It’s been exhausted here. No player with that few starts, has been successful in the NFL. For those who don’t like to be disappointed, keep posting this stuff, so if he leaves you can say I told you so.

DuckMex said:

Keep in mind that if he comes back he’ll be under an even bigger microscope, more pressure and a brand new OL. He’s better than Allar but just as an example, Allar is probably a top 15 pick if he goes last year but nobody is talking about him as a 1st round pick right now. If Dante is projected in the top 10 I would advise him to go. Sucks as a Duck fan but he’s so damn good.

ward was probably a late first rounder, he went to Miami and became the top pick.