The 2027 NFL Draft will take place in Washington, D.C. next year. In that draft, the Vikings still have their first-round pick, but a lot could happen in the next 7 months. Before then, though, there will be plenty of speculation and buildup about the team, and who they may add through the draft in a class many are calling one of generational wealth.

Sports Illustrated's Gilberto Manzano recently released the latest 2027 NFL mock draft of the cycle, which has the team going with star quarterback Arch Manning. He has not played to his potential in 2026, and it has him falling down the board, and in this instance, all the way to the Vikings at the 30th spot.

He explains the pick, writing, "Manning’s season has been dreadful. Similarly to Moore, Manning would have been better off declaring for the 2025 draft last April. Sometimes having too much tape can be a bad thing. Clearly, Manning and the Texas coaching staff have been out of sync when it comes to making adjustments. However, NFL teams won’t forget about the upside Manning flashed in the final two months of last season. Expect one team to take a chance on him early. Perhaps Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell will roll the dice on the 6'4", 222-pound signal-caller. It’s not a given that Kyler Murray is the long-term option after a sluggish start for the offense, and he could also be a bridge quarterback for a year or two. Manning has completed 63.9% of his passes for 1,295 yards, 11 touchdowns and five interceptions."

Manning would likely be tasked with sitting behind a veteran so this would make sense if they bring back Kyler Murray or sign another. Much like the J.J. McCarthy experience, if Manning cannot make it work with the Vikings in this instance, could he anywhere?