Texas QB Arch Manning earns No. 1 pick in expert’s way-too-early 2027 mock draft

The 2026 NFL Draft was viewed as a weak one at the top, in large part because of the lack of elite quarterback prospects. Fernando Mendoza was a surefire No. 1 overall pick, but there weren’t any blue-chip prospects at the position after the Indiana star, even if Ty Simpson went No. 13 overall in a shocking turn of events.

That is not the case in the 2027 class. Arch Manning of Texas is the biggest name in the next crop of future NFL quarterbacks, and he enters the offseason at the top of the list according to many experts. That includes Dane Brugler of The Athletic, who has Manning going No. 1 overall in his way-too-early 2027 mock draft.

There was a lot of hype surrounding Manning heading into the 2026 season, but he got off to a slow start in his first season as the starter for the Longhorns. Two early losses knocked them out of College Football Playoff contention, but as the spotlight went away, Manning started to find a rhythm.

Now, Manning will enter the 2026 season as one of the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy and go near the top of the 2027 draft. He is a big quarterback with elite athleticism and ability to do damage in the run game. In addition, he made major strides as a passer last season and has great touch and accuracy to go with solid arm strength.

Manning should be in a good position to succeed next season as he plays on a Texas team that will be one of the favorites to win the national title. Cam Coleman, who signed with the Longhorns in the transfer portal, is a potential top-10 pick in his own right, and Ryan Wingo can become a first-rounder with a big season as well.

All of those additions should help Manning thrive as a member of a Texas team that has four projected first-rounders in Brugler’s mock draft. If the Longhorns are the team that many are expecting them to be next season, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Manning hear his name called first in the 2027 draft.

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