The Arizona Cardinals are not a good team yet.
The team has some good moments, but it’s clear they are a long way away from contending. Of course, figuring out the quarterback position is the most important thing to do, and it’s clear that Jacoby Brissett isn’t a long-term answer.
The 2027 NFL Draft class is interesting. Several months ago, this looked like a potentially historic class. Arch Manning, Dante Moore, La’Norris Sellers, and Trinidad Chambliss, among others, were all seen as can’t-miss prospects.
Things have changed a bit through the first part of the college season, but some of these passers could still be elite. A recent mock draft has the Cardinals taking one of the young passers, and it could be a franchise-altering move.
Cardinals Land Arch Manning in Latest Mock
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Mike Renner of CBS Sports recently published his updated 2027 mock.
In the mock, the Cardinals select Texas quarterback Arch Manning with the No. 2 pick in 2027. Manning has been considered a future top pick practically since he was in middle school. The Texas product has perhaps underperformed those lofty expectations, but he still has the potential to be truly elite.
“Manning has serious work to do down the stretch this season to prove he’s worthy of this pick, which he’ll get as Texas looks like a playoff lock at this point. If the other choice is Carson Beck or Jacoby Brissett, though, I’m still taking the chance on Manning,” said Renner. “He has plays every week that show his high-end talent, but he’s yet to have a wire-to-wire dominant game.”
As Renner mentioned, Manning has some work to do if he wants to be a top-three pick, but he’s capable of being that for sure. Even if he’s not a “sure thing,” as Renner mentioned, he’d still be an upgrade over Brissett or Carson Beck.
In 2025, Manning’s first year as a starter, he threw for 3,163 yards with 26 touchdowns and seven interceptions. The quarterback led his team to the College Football Playoff, and they seem like a lock to do so again in 2026.
Arch has a strong arm, high football IQ, and good decision-making. The quarterback is also more agile than his uncles were, as he rushed for just under 400 yards and 10 scores last season.
There’s no denying that drafting Manning would give the Cardinals someone to build on and give the fans something to be excited about. Plus, it would be cool to see a Manning throwing to a Harrison once again.
