Mock Draft Monday: Miami Passes on Arch Manning to Fix a Key Weakness
Miami are on track for a top-five pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. In our first mock of the season, they trade back from No. 5, pass on Arch Manning and add help at a much needed position
Through the first four weeks of the season, the Miami Dolphins are on track to secure a top five pick in the 2027 NFL draft.
As it stands, Miami will be picking 5th overall and are arguably in the worst spot possible.
The four teams above them, Houston Texans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Teneessee Titan sand LA Chargers all have their QB in-house so WR Jeremiah Smith isn’t falling to the Dolphins.
Although for fans who want a QB, Miami will have their pick of the bunch. To many, no-one has stood out in college so far this season and reaching for someone like Arch Manning or Darian Mensah could set the Dolphins back years.
To make sure not every mock is the same and we can introduce as many new names and faces as possible, some of these earlier mocks will see players taken who fans won’t have spoken about much but should keep an eye out for Saturday’s.
So with that being that being said, here is the first mock draft of the season with trades included.
Round 1, Pick 11 – Ashton Hampton, CB
Multiple offers came in, the majority offering the front office a later pick in the 1st round and a 2028 1st which would be extremely hard to turn down.
And with the top 4 prospects off the board who Miami would want to select, this front office opted to move back to 11 and take Clemson corner Ashton Hampton.
Falcons send
2027 1st (11)
2027 2nd (42)
2028 3rd
Dolphins send
2027 1st (5th)
Texas QB Arch Manning was available and would be the pick 9 times out of 10 in this scenario but to start off with something different, Hampton was the selection and bolsters a secondary that needs the help.
At 6-2, 200lbs and 21 when the season starts, Hampton is coming off a game in which he got the better off Malachi Toney – allow 1 catch for 8 yards from 3 targets.
Round 2, Pick 36 – Trevor Lauck, OT
At pick 36, the Dolphins selected Iowa tackle Trevor Lauck. While a left tackle by trade, and Patrick Paul looks to have that position nailed down, adding Lauck is a selection Miami couldn’t pass up.
Competition at LT won’t harm the franchise and having seen Kaydn Proctor kick inside to LG seamlessly, this coaching staff should feel confident at either moving him to RT or having Lauck train there all off-season.
Lauck has yet to allow a sack throughout his college career and 6-5 and 314lbs, Miami could have their bookend tackles for the future.
Round 2, Pick 42 – Kingston Lopa, safety
Finishing off this 2 Round mock, Miami take safety Kingston Lopa.
At 6-5, 210lbs, the former Oregon start is a rangy player who has already recorded 5 interceptions and a touchdown through four games.
Stellar against the run as well, Miami will be getting a difference maker in the backend to partner with Michael Taafe.
