The NFL draft cycle never truly sleeps. With the 2026 draft now in the rearview mirror, analysts are already looking ahead to 2027—and the Arizona Cardinals find themselves at the center of early projections. According to the latest way-too-early mock draft from Pro Football Focus, the Cardinals are the odds-on favorites to hold the No. 1 overall pick next year, largely due to expectations of a tough 2026 season.

If Arizona does end up with the top selection, the obvious question becomes: who will be under center? The current quarterback room—featuring Jacoby Brissett, Gardner Minshew, and rookie Carson Beck—doesn't inspire long-term confidence. Many fans and pundits have already penciled in Texas star Arch Manning as the presumptive No. 1 pick, but PFF's mock draft throws a curveball. Instead of Manning, the Cardinals land Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin.

It's a pick that makes sense on multiple levels. Sayin was the highest-graded FBS quarterback last season, thriving as a pure pocket passer for the preseason national championship favorites. He'll need another full season in the spotlight to solidify his stock, but if he replicates his 2025 production, he could easily be the top signal-caller off the board. That said, his size—listed at 6-foot-1 and around 210 pounds—doesn't match the typical physical profile preferred by new head coach Mike LaFleur, so that's a storyline worth tracking throughout the fall.

There's also the ongoing narrative of the Cardinals and Ohio State draft connections, especially under general manager Monti Ossenfort. But if Arizona truly is the worst team in the league, will Ossenfort still be making the pick? That uncertainty adds another layer of intrigue.

With C.J. Stroud seemingly breaking the curse of Ohio State quarterbacks in the NFL, Sayin has a real opportunity to follow that path. The Cardinals will almost certainly be in the market for a franchise QB in 2027, and if Sayin delivers a monster season, he might just be the guy to lead them into a new era.