Arch Manning mocked to Cardinals in ESPN mock draft

Could the ensuing chapter of the Arizona Cardinals’ quarterback search feature the next line in the lineage of football royalty?

ESPN NFL draft analyst Jordan Reid’s early 2027 mock draft released Wednesday has the Cardinals selecting Texas quarterback Arch Manning with their first-round pick.

Reid projects the Cleveland Browns to trade up to the No. 1 overall pick to select Oregon quarterback Dante Moore, leaving Manning as the second signal-caller off the board.

Despite Arizona selecting Carson Beck in the third round of last April’s draft, Reid notes that Beck’s strong preseason play in the opening exhibition wouldn’t necessarily prevent the Cardinals from looking for a long-term solution under center, especially with veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett being a free agent before the 2027 draft.

Manning, the nephew of Super Bowl winners Peyton and Eli Manning, bounced back from a rough start to his 2025 season at Texas, taking a notable leap in his development by mid-October, Reid noted.

“If he can build on that momentum and improve his accuracy on underneath throws, he has the physical tools to be picked at this spot,” Reid wrote.

Should the projection come to fruition, Manning would join 2026 first-round running back Jeremiyah Love in Arizona, forming what Reid describes as the team’s “backfield of the future.”

While the 2027 draft remains far on the horizon, the quarterback position remains a prominent storyline to watch as the Cardinals evaluate their roster options moving forward.

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