Could Arch Manning Be the Miami Dolphins’ No. 1 Pick in the 2027 NFL Draft?

The Miami Dolphins are likely in for a long 2026 season, which means they are the odds-on favorite to land the No. 1 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.

It’s early in the season, but the Dolphins are 0-2 and the only team in the NFL to not hold a lead through their first two games of the season. It won’t get any easier, as Miami will host the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3 before taking on the undefeated Minnesota Vikings in Week 4 and the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 5.

This isn’t unexpected, as the Dolphins were expected to be the worst team in the NFL because of their salary cap situation and the fact that they just don’t have much talent on their roster. They’re dealing with $183.7 million in dead cap money.

That means the Dolphins are likely to land the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, which could mean they go the quarterback route. There will be no shortage of high-quality quarterbacks in next year’s draft, with six quarterbacks possibly going in the first round. That would match the NFL record for first-round quarterback selections.

The Dolphins could go with Arch Manning, the Texas Longhorns star quarterback who is getting better with each game. Manning recently led a 20-point fourth-quarter comeback against the previously No. 1-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes.

If Manning does indeed enter the draft next year, it’ll likely be between him and Oregon Ducks star Dante Moore for the No. 1 overall pick. Chase Daniel, who spent 14 seasons in the NFL as a quarterback and was a Heisman Trophy runner-up in 2007, gave Manning major props after the victory.

“I just think that this is a program-defining win for UT and for Sark (Steve Sarkisian),” said Daniel in a one-on-one interview. “Look, they haven’t won a national championship since ’05 Vince Young. I was in college; I was a freshman at that time, and Ohio State’s a very good team. I would say the manner in which they won the game should add to this. They were getting their butts whooped. Two drives in the first quarter, two turnovers. You’re playing from behind.

“You could see Arch Manning take a growth step in his development,” Daniel continued. “A couple of them fourth-down throws. I think there were two fitting in tight windows, all that stuff. I just think that this is a good program win for Texas to build their confidence. Yeah, it’s early in the year. This win is going to come back and help them as they continue to get better through the year. But I couldn’t be more impressed with Arch to be honest with you.”

Daniel said Manning has “all of the traits” of a No. 1 overall draft pick, giving heavy compliments on his athletic ability. When asked for a player comparison for Manning, Daniel basically said the 22-year-old is one of a kind.

“I mean you really can’t,” said Daniel when asked for a player comparison for Manning. “Because like I called a game of his last years against Sam Houston State. Was able to talk to him for an hour. He’s a big son of a gun, but he can move. He’s way more athletic. He ran for a bunch of yards in Michigan in that bowl game. He can move a lot better. He’s got all the traits of a future NFL number one overall pick. Truly, now he still has work to get there. He’s still growing as a quarterback, and that’s to be expected. But you gotta have growth moments like this to sort of get you over the hump. And then when you’re playing with confidence, next week can’t be a letdown, and the week after that can’t be a letdown. You have to continue your progression.”

Daniel hammers home that he wants to see more consistency from Manning as he goes through his second season as the Longhorns quarterback.

“I think these early games in the year, in general, for everyone because of the transfer portal, you’re trying to figure out what you’re good at,” said Daniel. “You’re trying to figure out how you feel around different teammates. I think when you have that culture that Sark has built, because they’ve been to the CFP twice, got that one win versus ASU. This is a big year for him personally. They have and they went out and spent a lot of money in the transfer portal and go around and surround Arch Manning with guys that make plays.”

With the Dolphins likely selecting No. 1 overall in next year’s draft, they’ll keep close tabs on Manning.