Reid’s 2027 NFL Mock Draft: Way-Too-Early Picks for Arch Manning and Jeremiah Smith

We are still a full calendar year away from the 2027 NFL Draft. The confetti from the 2025 draft has barely been swept up, and the 2026 class is still a mystery. Yet, in the relentless world of NFL scouting, it is never too early to look ahead. The 2027 class is already generating a buzz that rivals any in recent memory, headlined by two generational talents: Texas quarterback Arch Manning and Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.

While a thousand things can change between now and next April—injuries, transfer portal chaos, and breakout performances—the foundation of this mock draft is built on current talent, projected development, and team needs. Forget the 2026 season for a moment. Let’s dive into my way-too-early 2027 NFL Mock Draft and predict which two superstars will hear their names called first.

The No. 1 Overall Pick: The Arch Manning Sweepstakes

Let’s cut to the chase. Arch Manning is the most anticipated quarterback prospect since Trevor Lawrence. The nephew of Peyton and Eli, Arch carries a surname that is synonymous with NFL greatness, but his game is entirely his own. After a rocky start at Texas, where he battled injuries and inconsistency, Manning took full control of the Longhorns offense in 2025 and never looked back.

By the time the 2027 draft rolls around, Manning will be a three-year starter with a national championship appearance under his belt. What makes him the consensus No. 1 pick is not just the bloodline—it’s the arm. He has a howitzer for a right arm, capable of throwing 65-yard frozen ropes on a line. His pocket presence has matured from raw to elite, and his athleticism is underrated. He is not a dual-threat in the Lamar Jackson mold, but he can scramble for first downs and extend plays with surprising agility.

Prediction: The team holding the No. 1 pick in 2027 will be desperate for a franchise quarterback. Think the Carolina Panthers or the Tennessee Titans if they bottom out. Manning is the safe bet. He is the favorite to go No. 1 overall, and it would take a catastrophic injury or a sudden transfer to change that. NFL GMs will fall in love with his football IQ, his ability to read defenses pre-snap, and his calm demeanor in the pocket. He is a day-one starter who will immediately elevate a franchise.

• Key Strengths: Elite arm strength, high football IQ, NFL pedigree, improved mobility.
• Concerns: Durability after early-career injuries; sometimes holds the ball too long.
• Pro Comparison: A taller, more polished version of Matthew Stafford.

No. 2 Overall: The Jeremiah Smith Phenomenon

If Arch Manning is the quarterback of the future, Jeremiah Smith is the receiver who will break every record. Currently at Ohio State, Smith is not just a freshman phenom—he is a generational wide receiver in the mold of Calvin Johnson and Julio Jones. He stands 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, with hands that catch everything within a 10-foot radius. In 2025, he posted 1,300 yards and 15 touchdowns as a true freshman. By 2027, he will be a two-time All-American and the Biletnikoff Award winner.

Smith’s game is terrifyingly complete. He wins on deep routes with pure speed, he wins on slants with physicality, and he high-points the ball like an NBA power forward. His release off the line is already NFL-ready, using a violent swipe to beat press coverage. The tape from his 2025 season against Georgia’s elite secondary is the stuff of legend—he torched future NFL corners for 200 yards and three scores.

Prediction: The team picking No. 2 overall will be a team that already has a quarterback but needs a true No. 1 weapon. Think the New England Patriots (if Drake Maye is the guy) or the Chicago Bears (if Caleb Williams needs a new receiver). Smith is a lock for the top 3, and I believe he will be the second pick. He is the kind of player who changes an offense’s entire identity. Defenses will have to game-plan exclusively for him, opening up the run game and the rest of the passing attack.

• Key Strengths: Unreal catch radius, physical dominance, elite body control, NFL-ready route tree.
• Concerns: Can he stay healthy with such a physical style? Still developing nuanced route precision.
• Pro Comparison: A faster, more athletic Dez Bryant with better hands.

Other Top-5 Talents to Watch in 2027

While Manning and Smith will dominate the headlines, the 2027 draft class is deep with talent. Here are three other players who could crash the top 5 and potentially challenge for the No. 1 spot if Manning falters.

1. OT David Sanders Jr. (Tennessee) – The left tackle from Tennessee is a human wall. He is 6-foot-6, 320 pounds, with feet so quick he can mirror elite edge rushers. He allowed zero sacks in 2025 and is the best offensive line prospect since Penei Sewell. If a team with an established quarterback wins the lottery, they might take Sanders over Smith.

2. EDGE Colin Simmons (Texas) – Simmons is a pass-rushing nightmare. Playing opposite of Arch Manning’s offense, Simmons racked up 12 sacks and 20 tackles for loss in 2025. He has the bend of a 240-pound edge but plays at 260 pounds. He is a top-5 lock and could be the first defensive player off the board.

3. WR Ryan Williams (Alabama) – Don’t sleep on the Alabama receiver. Williams is a 5-foot-11 speedster with lightning-quick cuts. He is not the physical specimen Smith is, but he is a route-running savant who can separate from any corner. He is the perfect complement to a team that misses on Smith.

How the 2027 Draft Could Shake Up the NFL Landscape

The 2027 draft is not just about the players—it’s about the ripple effects on the league. If Arch Manning goes No. 1, it will trigger a quarterback carousel unlike any we’ve seen. Teams like the Las Vegas Raiders, New York Giants, and Denver Broncos are all candidates to tank for Manning. His arrival will instantly make a middling team a playoff contender, similar to what C.J. Stroud did for the Houston Texans.

Meanwhile, Jeremiah Smith going No. 2 will set a new standard for wide receiver contracts. If he produces at the NFL level like he did in college, he will command a $40 million-per-year extension before his rookie deal is up. His presence will also force NFL defenses to invest more in cornerbacks, creating a positional value shift in front offices.

But the real story is the uncertainty. A full year is an eternity in college football. What if Manning suffers a season-ending injury in 2026? What if Smith decides to return for his senior year? The transfer portal could also shake things up—imagine if Manning transferred to Alabama or Smith joined a team with a better quarterback. These variables make this mock draft a fun exercise, but nothing more.

Final Verdict: The Two Names You Need to Know

As of today, the 2027 NFL Draft is a two-man race. Arch Manning is the quarterback who will save a franchise, and Jeremiah Smith is the receiver who will redefine the position. They are the clear No. 1 and No. 2 in this class, and it would take a seismic event to change that.

For fans of teams currently at the bottom of the standings, start watching Texas and Ohio State film now. The 2026 season is just a formality. The real prize is waiting in 2027. Whether you are a Panthers fan dreaming of Manning or a Patriots fan hoping for Smith, one thing is certain: the 2027 draft will be the most anticipated in years.

My final prediction: Arch Manning to the New Orleans Saints (who trade up) at No. 1. Jeremiah Smith to the Chicago Bears at No. 2. Get ready for a draft that will change the NFL for a decade.

Source: Based on news from ESPN.