By: Jake Boals | Date: April 28, 2026
Quick Summary — For Fast Readers
- Dolphins Projected to Pick Top Two in 2027 NFL Draft
Six early mock drafts have Miami pegged for a top-two pick in 2027, citing concerns over Malik Willis as the new starting quarterback, an unsigned De’Von Achane, and the challenges of competing in a stacked AFC East. - Jeremiah Smith or Arch Manning?
Analysts consistently project Miami targeting Jeremiah Smith (WR, Ohio State) or Arch Manning (QB, Texas) if they land near the top of the draft. Manning is the early favorite at +175 to go No. 1 overall, while Smith is widely praised as a generational talent at receiver. - Way-Too-Early Speculation
These projections are based on roster uncertainty heading into 2026, not final verdicts. A breakout season from Willis, steady development from Miami’s offensive line, and a healthy roster could render these mocks irrelevant by October.
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Alright, buckle up, because this is one of those stories where the future is getting written before the present even kicks off—and if you’re a Dolphins fan, it’s the kind of chatter that either makes you laugh it off… or lean in real close.
So here’s the situation. We haven’t seen a single snap of the 2026 season yet—not one—and already you’ve got six different 2027 mock drafts lining up and basically saying, “Yeah… Miami’s picking at the top.” Not just top ten. Not even top five. Top two. That’s not noise—that’s a pattern. And when the same two names keep getting tied to those picks—Arch Manning and Jeremiah Smith—you start to understand exactly how people are reading this roster right now.
Now why is this happening? It all comes back to one thing: Miami hit the reset button at quarterback, and they didn’t exactly replace certainty with certainty. Tua’s gone, Malik Willis is in, and suddenly you’ve got one of the most athletic—but least proven—starting quarterbacks in the league running the show. Behind him? Quinn Ewers, who the coaching staff clearly likes, but let’s be honest, liking a guy internally and watching him survive a full NFL season are two very different conversations.
And this is where it gets interesting, because the front office didn’t just sit on their hands. They went out in the 2026 draft and loaded up—13 players, offensive line help, secondary upgrades, weapons on offense. Kadyn Proctor comes in to protect Willis, Chris Johnson shores up the defense, and suddenly you’ve got the bones of something that could work… eventually. But “eventually” is not a word draft analysts care about. They’re looking at right now, and right now screams volatility.
So what do they do? They connect the dots. Unproven QB, tough division, roster in transition—and boom, Miami’s sitting there in mock drafts with a shot at Arch Manning. And let’s not dance around it, that’s the headline scenario. Manning at No. 1, the clean reset, the new face of the franchise. If he’s gone? Fine—Jeremiah Smith at No. 2, plug him in next to Tyreek Hill and just terrorize secondaries for the next five years.
But here’s the part people gloss over—this whole thing is built on projection, not results. Malik Willis hasn’t failed yet. Quinn Ewers hasn’t been exposed. This offensive line hasn’t had a full season to gel. The story hasn’t been written—but everyone’s already arguing about the ending.
And that’s the tension. Because inside that locker room, nobody’s trying to land Arch Manning. Nobody’s aiming for a top-two pick. They’re trying to blow this entire narrative up before it ever gets traction.
So yeah, it’s early. Way early. But when this many projections start pointing in the same direction, it tells you one thing loud and clear: the Dolphins aren’t being doubted quietly—they’re being doubted loudly, publicly, and with receipts.
Now we wait to see if that doubt turns into fuel… or confirmation.
