​After closing their 2025 campaign with a 7-10 record, the Miami Dolphins have ushered in a new regime, led by Jon-Eric Sullivan and Jeff Hafley, with the aim of turning things around in South Florida. With a new general manager at the helm and Hafley guiding the sideline, the Dolphins have undertaken a substantial roster overhaul, leaving the team thinner on impact players as training camp approaches.
If current expectations hold, Miami could find itself positioned to secure a top selection in the 2027 NFL draft. In a recent mock by Draft Wire’s Paul M. Banks, the Dolphins are projected to go No. 1 overall and select quarterback Arch Manning. Manning, the nephew of legendary quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning, entered the spotlight as a five-star recruit from Isidore Newman High School in New Orleans, Louisiana, before committing to Texas in 2022 for the following season.
After redshirting in 2023 and serving as the backup to Quinn Ewers in 2024, Manning assumed Texas’ starting duties in 2025. Across 13 games, he guided the Longhorns to a 10-3 record while completing 61.4 percent of his passes for 3,163 yards, 26 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He also added 399 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns, earning Citrus Bowl MVP honors for Texas’ 41-27 victory over Michigan.
Miami, for its part, handed Malik Willis a three-year, $67.5 million contract this offseason. However, if the franchise secures the top pick in the 2027 draft, Willis may not be the long-term solution as the quarterback of the future. The Dolphins could retain him as a veteran backup and release him ahead of the 2028 season, or explore a trade with another quarterback-needy club. Should the Dolphins be picking first overall, quarterback could become their most pressing choice, though Manning will need to prove himself in the coming season to be positioned as the top quarterback in what’s shaping up to be a potentially strong class.
This analysis reflects ongoing speculation about Miami’s trajectory and the potential impact of a high draft choice in 2027. The piece originally appeared on Dolphins Wire and discusses how a franchise-altering decision could redefine the Dolphins’ future, including the possibility of Manning being their marquee selection if the pick materializes.