The NFL just completed another successful draft, hosting the 2026 installment in Pittsburgh. But fans, draft analysts, and teams already turned their attention to next year.
The 2027 NFL Draft will take place in Washington, D.C., with early projections indicating it will be held in front of the Capitol Building.
As more prospects take advantage of a fourth or fifth year of eligibility, the 2027 class could feature a wealth of experienced talent. Several quarterbacks who passed on the 2026 NFL Draft are now expected to declare in 2027.
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That raises the question: who is the early favorite to go No. 1 overall? One name already emerged — and it’s a familiar one.
Reports identify Texas quarterback Arch Manning as the odds-on favorite to be selected first overall. He also entered the 2025 season as the favorite for the 2026 draft.
However, the 2025 season did not go as planned for Manning or Texas. He struggled at times early in the year, and the Longhorns suffered several tough losses.
As the season progressed, though, Manning began to show why many project him as the top pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. He now enters his senior season expected to build on the progress he made as a junior.
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Manning has a chance to continue his family’s quarterback legacy. His uncles, Peyton and Eli Manning, were both selected No. 1 overall.
His grandfather, Archie Manning — after whom he is named — was selected second overall in 1971. To reach that same level, Manning will need to capitalize on the momentum he built late last season.
Several other quarterbacks trail closely behind. Oregon’s Dante Moore, Notre Dame’s C.J. Carr, and South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers all rank among the top contenders. Moore and Sellers were also projected as high picks in 2026 before opting to return for their senior seasons.
The NIL era added new unpredictability to the draft pool. In previous years, a player like Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby likely would declared after four seasons. Instead, NIL opportunities — combined with a transfer — encouraged him to return for a fifth year.
For now, Manning stands as the clear-cut favorite for the top spot in the 2027 NFL Draft. The question remains: will he follow in his family’s footsteps?