The 2025 NFL Draft is officially in the rearview mirror, but the buzz around the 2026 class is already heating up. Arch Manning, the Texas Longhorns quarterback and football royalty, stands at the center. With Manning’s name on his back and serious skills to match, Arch is widely projected to be the No. 1 overall pick next year.
Even though Manning has only started two games in his college career, his stock keeps rising. According to Pro Football Focus, he finished last season with an impressive 88.1 overall grade, ranking 13th among FBS quarterbacks who played at least 200 snaps. He also showed a rare ability to protect the ball, posting a turnover-worthy play rate of just 1.9 percent. Betting markets have already crowned him a Heisman favorite, with DraftKings Sportsbook listing him at +700.
Cleveland Browns And Las Vegas Raiders Lead The Chase
Right now, two teams are emerging as favorites to land Manning: the Cleveland Browns and the Las Vegas Raiders.
Cleveland, who owned the No. 2 pick in 2025 but traded back with Jacksonville, now holds a valuable 2026 first-rounder. If the Browns find themselves quarterback-hungry next spring, they have the trade capital needed to move up for Manning. Given the uncertainty surrounding their long-term quarterback situation, Cleveland’s front office looks poised to be aggressive if the opportunity presents itself.
The Las Vegas Raiders also find themselves firmly in the mix. The Raiders are still hunting for a franchise signal-caller despite choosing not to draft a top quarterback in 2025. They could easily be in striking distance next year. Adding a layer of intrigue, part-owner Tom Brady overseeing the selection of Peyton Manning’s nephew would make for a headline the NFL world would not soon forget.
“Manning’s placement on this list was the most difficult to determine,” Pro Football Focus wrote when explaining his current draft stock. Despite limited experience against top competition, Manning’s athleticism and arm talent set him apart from most prospects. He rushed for four touchdowns on just 21 attempts last season, including an electric 67-yard run, showing athletic traits that neither of his uncles could match.
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With the 2025 college football season still ahead, much can change between now and next April. For now, though, Cleveland and Las Vegas are the two teams most locked in on Manning, hoping to secure the next face of their franchise.
Also Read: Arch Manning Makes Important Final Decision On His Future With Texas Longhorns Amid Transfer Rumors
