Alright, Emerald City, Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season just wrapped up, and while our beloved Seahawks are sitting pretty at a perfect 1-0, some teams are already looking beyond this year and straight into the 2027 NFL Draft. Texas quarterback Arch Manning absolutely went off on Saturday night, pulling off a ridiculous come-from-behind win against Ohio State. He didn’t just win; he erased a three-touchdown deficit, leading his team to a massive victory and rocketing them to the top of the AP Top 25. This kid is making seismic waves for the next draft class already, and trust me, the entire league is noticing.
The Manning Mania Is Real, And The Draft Board Just Blew Up
Seriously, what Arch Manning did this past Saturday was pure legend stuff. Wiping out a three-score lead against Ohio State? That’s the kind of performance that has scouts drooling, especially considering he’s just one of many intriguing quarterback prospects in this loaded 2027 class. His incredible effort instantly vaulted Texas into the AP Top 25, and it has absolutely sky-rocketed his draft stock. We’re talking immense improvement here. And get this: the dude’s schedule is no joke at all. He’s got six ranked opponents coming up on his SEC slate, including Ole Miss, LSU, and Texas A&M. If he keeps performing like this against that kind of competition, he’s going to be supremely battle-tested by the time he enters the draft process. For teams like Tampa Bay, Atlanta, or Houston, who are all 0-1 and currently looking at top-three picks, Manning could be the franchise savior they’re dreaming about.
Jeremiah Smith: The Game-Wrecking WR Who Demands a Top Pick
But wait, hold up, there’s another superstar burning up the college ranks, and he might even challenge Manning for the top overall spot. Jeremiah Smith, the Ohio State star wideout, shined bright even though his team was on the losing end of that wild comeback. In his first true road game of the season, he hauled in eight catches for 154 yards and a huge score. This junior wideout already started his season off with an insane 315 receiving yards on 16 receptions and three touchdowns. He’s on track for his *third straight* 1,000-yard receiving season, folks! That is absolutely bonkers production, and it’s hard to ignore. Smith is arguably the number one prospect in the entire 2027 draft class, and even with a deep, stacked quarterback group, he’s firmly in consideration for the No. 1 overall pick come April. Teams that don’t need a quarterback will absolutely be targeting him for sure, and he’s a guaranteed top-five selection, minimum. Imagine the kind of immediate, game-changing impact a guy like that could have on an NFL offense.
Our 1-0 Start Means We’re Watching From Afar
So, while our Seahawks are kicking off the 2026 season with a perfect 1-0 record, currently projected at the #24 spot in the 2027 draft order, it means we’re in a fantastic position for *this* season. Mike Macdonald’s squad, with Sam Darnold under center and playmakers like Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Rashid Shaheed, and Cooper Kupp making things happen, isn’t going to be picking at the very top of the board if they keep winning. And that, my friends, is a pretty good problem to have for 2026! It just means we’ll be watching these college phenoms from a little further down the draft board, hoping maybe one of them slips, or just enjoying the ride as our current team battles it out every week at Lumen Field. We’ve got a long season ahead, 12s, so let’s keep cheering on our boys and see how high we can climb!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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