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Arch Manning effect: How 2027 QB class impacts Jets, Cardinals, Saints and more draft decisions
TL;DR
The 2027 NFL Draft class, featuring strong quarterback prospects, may influence teams like the Jets, Cardinals, and Saints in their 2026 draft decisions. With limited options in the current draft, teams are likely to look ahead for a long-term quarterback solution.
Key points
- 2027 NFL Draft class may have deep quarterback prospects
- Current draft lacks high-quality quarterback options
- Teams like Jets and Cardinals may wait for 2027
- 2026 draft decisions influenced by 2027 class potential
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 |Ā WRsĀ | TEsĀ | EDGEĀ | 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. Quarterbacks like Oregon's Dante Moore, Ohio State's Julian Sayin and South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers were all players who likely would have been first-round picks if they were in the 2026 class.Ā Therefore, teams that miss out on Manning in 2027 should still land a quarterback high in the first round, as long as those prospects don't fall in their evaluations.
The Jets are set up as well as anyone for the 2027 draft, since New York is the only team with three first-round picks in that draft. In fact, no other team has more than one first-round pick for 2027 entering the 2026 event.
The knowledge that 2027 should feature a much stronger class could lead to two things happening. First, teams that need a quarterback could pass on Simpson in favor of waiting to take a franchise quarterback next year instead of this year. Second, teams like the Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints could look to trade down in the first round and collect more picks in 2027, which would increase their chances of securing that quarterback prospect.
As teams decide whether to trade up or back this year, they will likely view 2027 picks as more valuable than usual, which in turn could impact negotiations. Overall, the 2027 NFL Draft class is looming over every decision in 2026.
MORE 2026 NFL MOCK DRAFTS:
- SN's complete 7-round projections
- NFL mock draft with trades
- Quarterback-only mock draft
- NFL player comparisons for Round 1 picks
- Expert mock drafts from Mel Kiper Jr. and more
Projected 2027 NFL Draft QB prospects
Here's a look at some college quarterbacks who are eligible to enter the 2027 NFL Draft after this season.
- Texas QB Arch Manning
- Oregon QB Dante Moore
- Ohio State QB Julian Sayin
- South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers
- Miami QB Darian Mensah
- Ole Mis QB Trinidad Chambliss
- Washington QB Demond Williams Jr.
- LSU QB Sam Leavitt
- Oklahoma QB John Mateer
Besides those quarterback prospects, the 2027 NFL Draft will include Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith, who may be one of the best wide receiver prospects in NFL history.
MORE NFL DRAFT NEWS:
Q&A
How does the 2027 QB class affect the Jets' draft strategy?
The Jets may prioritize waiting for the 2027 draft class, which is expected to have stronger quarterback prospects, rather than selecting a QB in the 2026 draft.
Who are the top quarterback prospects in the 2027 NFL Draft?
While specific names are not detailed, the 2027 class is anticipated to be one of the deepest in recent memory, encouraging teams to consider future options.
What impact does the 2026 NFL Draft have on team decisions for 2027?
The uncertainty and perceived weakness of the 2026 quarterback prospects may lead teams to hold off on selecting a QB and instead focus on the more promising 2027 class.
Which teams are most likely to benefit from the 2027 QB class?
Teams like the Jets, Cardinals, and Saints, all in need of a long-term quarterback solution, are expected to benefit significantly from the 2027 draft class.
