The 2027 NFL Draft conversation is already circling around Arch Manning, and if he decides to stay at Texas for another season, it could reshape the Miami Dolphins’ entire path.
That possibility has not gotten much attention, but it should. Eli Manning recently made it clear in an interview on Colin Cowherd's The Volume that finishing college eligibility is part of the family approach, and he sounded supportive of Arch taking that route.
"Every year it's an opportunity to play more games, get more prepared for the NFL, win an SEC championship, and be a captain of the team." Manning said when asked by Cowherd if they have spoken about Arch staying in school.
"It's not just about getting to the NFL and going to the next step. It's about enjoying your experience, enjoying your teammates, and building something special with the guys that have been there together.
I'm proud of Arch and how he's handling this."
If Arch stays put, Miami’s draft board gets a lot cleaner. Jeremiah Smith would then stand as the most obvious high-end target, with the Ohio State star widely viewed as the best prospect in the class and, for some, the kind of player who belongs ahead of any quarterback.
It would also create a different kind of leverage for the Dolphins. With one fewer premium quarterback at the top of the board, teams like the Cardinals, Jets, and Browns could be even more aggressive about moving up for one of the remaining passers, which could mean more draft capital coming Miami’s way.
There’s also the matter of Jon-Eric Sullivan and how the board might line up for him. Dante Moore’s stock is in question after a vicious hit landed him in concussion protocol, and that only adds another layer to the uncertainty.
Even if Sullivan ends up looking elsewhere at quarterback, Arch staying in school still helps Miami. The Dolphins need more than a quarterback; they also need a top defensive edge rusher. If Manning is off the board, Sullivan could pursue that route without the backlash that would come with bypassing a quarterback at the top.
The biggest question, of course, is whether Manning actually returns. He has time to improve, but his stock doesn’t appear to be falling. Many already see him as the top quarterback in this draft class, and another year in college might not change that much - or it could even work against him.
Either way, Eli Manning’s comments are a reminder that this decision could ripple well beyond Texas. If Arch isn’t in the 2027 draft, the Dolphins’ options change fast.
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