Arch Manning projected No. 1 pick in Jordan Reid’s early 2027 NFL mock draft

ESPN drasources analyst Jordan Reid has projected Texas quarterback Arch Manning as the No. 1 overall pick in his way-too-early 2027 NFL mock drasources, released May 22, 2024.

Reid described Manning as a sturdy dual-threat quarterback (6-foot-4, 219 pounds) and cited his production in his first season as a starter: 3,163 passing yards, 26 touchdown passes and seven interceptions, along with 10 rushing touchdowns. While noting that Manning’s throwing motion, footwork and progressions can be inconsistent — leading at times to uneven ball placement and holding the ball too long — Reid wrote that Manning has the traits of a top pick and needs continued development.

Reid’s first-round projection also includes four quarterbacks in Round 1, with three expected to come off the board early. Among other prospects highlighted in the mock are Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, whose 12 receiving touchdowns last season included eight in the red zone, and quarterback Dante Moore, who totaled 3,565 passing yards, 30 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions.

Because the projection is so far out, Reid noted that the mock drasources order was not based on expected 2026 results. Instead, the order was created by taking the inverse of Super Bowl odds from DrasourcesKings, with late picks adjusted to reflect the correct number of teams from each conference in playoff slots.