Early 2027 mock drafts already hinting at surprise early in Round 1

The dust is just settling on the 2026 NFL Draft, but this business never stops.

Teams and fans are already looking ahead to the promising class of 2027, and projections show who might be at the top of the pecking order one year from now.

Likewise, some teams might not find much success next season, and they will be tied to those blue-chip prospects for most of the next 12 months.

With that in mind, Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post reported that, as things stand now, the Miami Dolphins are expected to have a top-2 selection in 2027. That should make them the favorites to draft Texas star QB Arch Manning, but it might not be the case.

The Dolphins may not be that high on Arch Manning

"The Miami Dolphins are projected to have a Top 2 pick in the next NFL Draft, according to seven 2027 mock drafts that are already out," Schad wrote. 

Notably, two of those mock drafts have the Dolphins taking Arch Manning, with Dante Moore (one) and Jeremiah Smith (four) as the other projected selections.

Of course, the play of Malik Willis could go a long way in determining which direction the Dolphins go in the draft.

They made a significant financial commitment to sign the former Tennessee Titans draft pick, even though his experience as a starter is limited.

Still, Manning has been dubbed a generational prospect, and given his well-known pedigree in the league, it would be hard to pass on him if given the chance.

These projections seem to expect that the Dolphins will be satisfied with their quarterback situation and will take Ohio State star WR Jeremiah Smith instead.

That said, a lot can change until the day of the draft, and it'll be interesting to look back at these projections and compare them to the actual selections.