2027 NFL Mock Draft: Arch Manning and 4 WRs in Top 10

Updated: Thursday, May 8, 2025

While I'd argue it's never too early to look ahead to next year's draft (and I did that with my 2026 NFL mock draft), I'm not sure what it says about me if I project two drafts from now.

It's possible (but perhaps unlikely) that Texas quarterback Arch Manning will enter next April's NFL draft, but there are a number of elite true sophomore prospects who won't be eligible until 2027 at the earliest.

As an example, the 2027 wide receiver class should be more like the 2024 version (Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze, Brian Thomas Jr., etc.) than 2025's or even 2026's at the top. In this way-too-early look at the 2027 class, there are four wide receivers in the top 10.

The draft order was randomly determined using Super Bowl 60 odds weightings. So, in other words, all 32 teams had the potential to pick in the top 10, but the Philadelphia Eagles had the lowest odds (0.3%) as the current Super Bowl favorites and the Cleveland Browns had the highest odds (12.08%) to pick in the top 10.

To be fair, my favorite team (which will certainly win Super Bowl 61) is picking inside this top 10 as well.

With that said, let's get to how the top 10 picks could play out.

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1. New York Giants: Arch Manning, QB, Texas

After backing up Quinn Ewers for two seasons, odds that Manning will return for another season at Texas in 2026 are greater than the odds he's one-and-done as a starter. Manning, the top overall recruit in the 2023 class, is much more athletic than his famous uncles Peyton and Eli and has good size (6'4", 225), throws well on the move and can be used on designed runs. While the Giants traded up to draft Jaxson Dart last month, it's likely that a new regime will be calling the shots if the Giants are picking third (in 2026) and then first (in 2027). Especially given New York's history with the Mannings, it may be difficult to pass on Arch in this scenario.

Giants pick in our 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

2. Miami Dolphins: Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State

If Smith were eligible for the 2025 NFL Draft (or 2026), he would have been the first (full-time) wide receiver selected. By the time he's done, it's possible that he's the greatest wide receiver prospect we've ever seen. He has an elite combination of size, speed, body control, hands and run-after-catch ability.

Dolphins pick in our 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

3. Dallas Cowboys: Colin Simmons, EDGE, Texas

With the expectation that the Cowboys will sign George Pickens, who's in the final year of his contract, to an extension following their blockbuster trade this week, the Cowboys add to their defense. Simmons, a five-star recruit from the Dallas area, finished his true freshman season with nine sacks, 14 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and an interception. You can never have too many pass rushers and what a deadly duo (or trio) of pass rushers the Cowboys would have with Simmons and Micah Parsons (and Donovan Ezeiruaku)!

Cowboys pick in our 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

MORE: 2025 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings

4. Indianapolis Colts: Dylan Stewart, EDGE, South Carolina

Who knows if Chris Ballard will still be calling the shots in Indy in 2027, but Stewart is an insanely athletic edge rusher that fits the mold of what Ballard covets. Tied with T.J. Parker, the first edge rusher off the board in my 2026 NFL mock draft, Stewart had the third most pressures (51) among returning FBS edge defenders, per PFF.

Colts pick in our 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson

5. Las Vegas Raiders: DJ Lagway, QB, Florida

As much as Geno Smith would have liked to play professional catch with his cousin Jeremiah, who instead was matched with his hometown Dolphins, the Raiders draft Geno's long-term replacement in Lagway, who was the top quarterback recruit during the 2024 cycle. Lagway is raw, as expected for a true freshman quarterback, but he showed plenty of flashes, especially in the vertical-passing game.

Raiders pick in our 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Peter Woods, IDL, Clemson

6. Cleveland Browns: Ryan Williams, WR, Alabama

Like Jeremiah Smith, if Williams were eligible for the 2026 NFL Draft, he would be the first wide receiver off the board. A top-five recruit in the 2024 recruiting class, Williams had a strong true freshman campaign although he made his biggest impact in the first half of the season (31-649-7, 20.9 Y/R, first seven games). The speedy big-play threat won't turn 19 until after the 2025 college season, and he would play his first full NFL season at 20 if he declares when eligible.

Browns picks in our 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Drew Allar, QB, Penn State and Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

MORE: 2025 Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings

7. New England Patriots: Cam Coleman, WR, Auburn

Drake Maye played with one of the league's worst receiving corps in 2024, but the Patriots signed Stefon Diggs in free agency and drafted Washington State's Kyle Williams at the top of the third round in 2025 as upgrades. While Diggs is technically under contract through 2027, that would be his age-34 season. The Patriots keep Maye's receiving corps cupboard full with a potential WR1 talent in Coleman, who was also a top-five recruit in 2024 with an outstanding combination of size and speed. He'll hopefully have better quarterback play in 2025, but he finished his true freshman campaign strong — 22/306/6 over his final three games.

Patriots pick in our 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Rueben Bain, Jr., EDGE, Miami (FL)

MORE: New England Patriots 2025 NFL Draft Grades

8. Carolina Panthers: Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame

Recruiting services were too low on Moore (ranked as a three-star recruit), but he finished his true freshman season as the FWAA Freshman Defensive Player of the Year in 2024. Albeit ineligible until the 2027 draft, Moore could be the best cornerback in the country this season due to his size (6'2", 190 pounds), speed (22 MPH on this chase down of Quinshon Judkins), work ethic and steady play despite his young age.

Panthers pick in our 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas

9. Green Bay Packers: Jordan Seaton, OT, Colorado

The Packers have used early picks on their offensive line in back-to-back drafts (Arizona's Jordan Morgan and North Carolina State's Anthony Belton, respectively), but both Rasheed Walker and Zach Tom are scheduled to become free agents after the upcoming season. Seaton was a bright spot on an offensive line that featured five new starters in 2024 and the athletic former five-star recruit added considerable weight to his frame (listed at 330 from 285 last year).

Packers pick in our 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

10. Tennessee Titans: Bryant Wesco Jr., WR, Clemson

The Titans drafted a trio of pass catchers in Round 4 (Chimere Dike, Gunnar Helm and Elic Ayomanor), but they have only three non-rookie receivers under contract beyond 2025. One of those is Calvin Ridley, who turns 31 this December with cap hits above $26 million per year in 2026 and 2027, respectively. Wesco, the fourth wide receiver in this top-10 mock, ranked third (behind Jeremiah Smith and Ryan Williams) among true freshman wideouts in receiving yards (707) and sixth in Y/RR (2.21) in 2024.

Titans pick in our 2026 NFL Mock Draft: T.J. Parker, Clemson