Pro Football Focus mock draft suggests Duck fans may lose Dante Moore too soon

Dante Moore's poise and leadership have the Ducks way ahead of schedule in 2025.
Dante Moore's poise and leadership have the Ducks way ahead of schedule in 2025. | James Lang-Imagn Images

In PFF's latest mock draft suggests Oregon quarterback Dante Moore is due for a quick exit as a college quarterback.

The analytics website projects him as the first player taken, just ahead of Indiana's Fernando Mendoza, his opponent a week from Saturday in Autzen Stadium. The No. 2 Ducks are a 10.5-point favorite over the No. 8 Hoosiers.

Edge rushers Rueben Bain from Miami and Auburn's Keldric Faulk go next. South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers goes next at No. 5, three QBs snatched up quickly in what's considered a thin draft at the position.

As the No. 1 overall pick Moore would be offered a fully guaranteed contract valued at over $43 million, a four-year deal with a club option for a fifth season, complete with a signing bonus. Cameron Ward, the 2025 No.1, got $48.8 million with a signing bonus of $32.1 million, prorated over the four years, according to Sportrac.

NFL scouts love Moore for his decision-making, arm talent and processing speed, his ability to create off-platform as well as his intelligence and even-keel demeanor. A preseason "question mark" as a starter, he's risen meteorically over Oregon's 5-0 start, completing 75 percent of his passes for 1,210 yards and 14 touchdowns with just one interception.

It's a sure bet that Mendoza and the Hoosiers are motivating themselves with the vision of showing up the Heisman favorite and projected No. 1 in his own stadium.

Moore's growth and development has been outstanding, particularly because he has just 10 college starts, five at UCLA as a true freshman. Although he'll command top dollar for a return season with the Ducks, around three to five million, that pales in comparison to the deal he'd get as the first pick.

It'd be hard to lose him after such a tremendous start as a Duck, but fans have to be comforted by the realization that after sending Marcus Mariota, Justin Herbert, Bo Nix and Dillon Gabriel to the pros, three of them as first-round picks, the Ducks would 1) have their pick of quarterbacks in the portal and 2) have four good ones waiting in Austin Novosad, Luke Moga, Aklili Smith Jr. and Bryson Beaver.

Still, Mariota, Herbert and Nix all elected to stay another year at Oregon despite being draft eligible, Herbert and Nix returning to win New Year's Six bowls, Mariota taking the Ducks all the way to the national championship game.

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