Arch Manning effect: How 2027 QB class impacts Jets, Cardinals, Saints and more draft decisions
Arch Manning effect: How 2027 QB class impacts Jets, Cardinals, Saints and more draft decisions originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . Many teams in the NFL need to find a long-term answer at quarterback, but this year's NFL draft class doesn't appear to be the year to take a quarterback high.
While Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza is the consensus No. 1 pick to the Las Vegas Raiders , it seems like there is a drop-off after Mendoza among quarterback prospects. Alabama QB Ty Simpson is another player who could find his way into the first round, but NFL teams likely won't view prospects like Garrett Nussmeier and Carson Beck as franchise quarterbacks at the next level.
Therefore, teams could look ahead to the 2027 NFL Draft to land a young quarterback, as that class could be one of the deepest classes in recent memory. As a result, the looming idea of a strong 2027 draft class could play a role in what happens during the 2026 NFL Draft. Here's a breakdown of how the next two drafts are tied together.
NFL DRAFT RANKINGS 2026: QBs | WRs | TEs | EDGE | RBs Arch Manning effect on 2026 Draft Texas quarterback Arch Manning had a tough start to the year, but he finished his first season as the starter strongly. Manning ended up with over 3,000 passing yards, 26 passing touchdowns, almost 400 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns on the season. Had Manning decided to enter the 2026 NFL Draft, he would've been in the discussion for the top pick along with Mendoza, and at worst, Manning likely would've gone No.
2 overall to the New York Jets . Instead, Manning enters the 2026 season as the favorite to go first overall in 2027, and someone that teams could want to tank the year to get. However, Manning isn't alone in this discussion.