Next year's NFL draft could be all about Arch Manning

Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News on Apr 24, 2026

Published in Football

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As soon as this year’s NFL draft ends, the attention shifts to Arch Manning.

Manning — Texas Longhorns quarterback and nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning — appears poised to be the prize of 2027’s tantalizingly deep QB draft.

And his status as a blue-chip prospect is about much more than his royal (football) bloodlines.

“The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder has impressive physical tools and overcame some early-season processing bumps,” ESPN draft guru Matt Miller wrote of Manning in a recent 2027 lookahead.

“He can dial up velocity on his throws or layer the ball deep over the top, while also showing the strength and agility to be an effective runner. He’ll be regarded as the No. 1 quarterback prospect and perhaps the No. 1 overall player.”

Manning, the son of Cooper Manning, is set to be a redshirt junior. He is entering his second season as Texas’ full-time starter.

Going into last season, many pegged Manning as the No. 1 prospect in the 2026 draft.

But amid that hype, Manning struggled early on in 2025, losing against loaded Ohio State and lowly Florida while throwing five interceptions in his first five games.

Manning’s play improved dramatically as the season went on, and he finished the year with 3,163 passing yards, 26 touchdowns against seven interceptions, 399 rushing yards and 10 more TDs on the ground.

He was at his best in the Longhorns’ Citrus Bowl win over Michigan, passing for 221 yards and two touchdowns and rushing for 155 yards and two scores.

Manning then opted to return to Texas for 2026, even though some analysts believe he would have been the first QB taken in this year’s draft — even over Heisman-winning Fernando Mendoza, who just led Indiana to a national championship.

“I felt like I developed a lot this year, especially toward the back half,” Manning said in December. “I want to keep it going. There’s no reason to leave. I think I’ve got a lot more football left to play, and I’m excited to still be a part of this team.”

Much can change in 12 months, and Manning does technically have another year of NCAA eligibility after his one. But should he go No. 1 overall, Manning would be the third member of his family to be the first pick in an NFL draft.

The Indianapolis Colts took Peyton Manning first overall in 1998, while the San Diego Chargers did the same with Eli Manning in 2004 before trading him that same night to the Giants. Of course, both won two Super Bowls, with Eli spending his entire 16-year career with the Giants.

Arch Manning is much more of a dual threat than his superstar uncles, and by the end of last season, he was among the most productive passers in the country.

He currently headlines a star-powered 2027 QB class that is also expected to include Oregon’s Dante Moore, Ohio State’s Julian Sayin and South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers.

This year’s draft is considered much lighter at quarterback — Mendoza is the only QB viewed as a premium prospect — which is why several teams plan to address the position in 2027 rather than in 2026.

With another season of development, Manning could be even more in-demand this time next year.

“He’s a young man who’s gotten better as the season’s gone on, and not only physically, but mentally, maturity-wise,” Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said in December. “I would think he’s going to want another year of that growth to put himself in position for hopefully a long career in the NFL.”