Arch Manning is one of the most talented quarterbacks in college football. He has yet to make his mark in a starting role. However, he is expected to be positioned as the Texas Longhorns’ starting quarterback this season.
Meanwhile, given his speed and talent, some fans are projecting him as the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. However, it is still too early to say whether he will declare himself eligible for the event. Football expert Albert Breer believes that the young quarterback will carefully approach his NFL career rather than making a rushed decision.
Arch Manning’s NFL Draft Timeline May Not Be So Simple
Albert Breer, a senior reporter for Sports Illustrated, suggests that Arch Manning might not declare for the NFL Draft as soon as he becomes eligible. Breer shared his thoughts on The Rich Eisen Show on May 6. When Eisen mentioned the possibility of teams like the Browns or Rams preparing for a 2026 draft run for Arch, Breer responded, “I think we would be ignoring the family history if we assumed that he was going to be in the 2026 draft. Think it’s too big a leap for NFL teams to make right now.”
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The Manning family, including Archie, Peyton, and Eli, has always been cautious with their football careers. Peyton and Eli stayed in college longer than expected, refusing to rush to the NFL. For example, Peyton chose to return for his senior year at Tennessee, even though he could’ve gone pro earlier.
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Breer reinforced this point, adding, “Peyton Manning could have been the number one overall pick in ‘97 to the Jets. Instead, he decides to go back, and he’s the No. 1 overall pick in ‘98 to the Colts. So, like the family history tells us, these guys aren’t going to rush from college.”
We don’t yet know whether Arch Manning will follow the same approach, but there’s no denying that he has become one of college football’s most dominant quarterbacks by following his family’s path. So, there’s a good chance Arch will take his time to fully prepare before entering the draft.
After all, it’s not just about the hype; it’s about making the right career decision. If he rushes and doesn’t live up to expectations, the same people who hyped him as a first-round pick could later criticize him for not being fully prepared for the professional level.
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