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Texas Longhorns Arch Manning

“The Best QB Prospect In This Class”: NFL Analyst Predicts Texas Longhorns Quarterback Arch Manning Will Be the Number One Overall Pick In the 2026 NFL Draft

There has been a lot of hype around Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning as the potential number one overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Well, he has not started many games in his college career, and he will have more experience under his belt in 2025.

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Jan 1, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) warms up before the Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

This is the most hyped-up Texas football team in over two decades. The Longhorns will have championship expectations because of Arch. With him being the starter this season and being the backup the last two seasons in college, he will be eligible to declare for the 2026 NFL Draft, but could he wait until the 2027 NFL Draft to potentially declare?

NFL Analyst Thinks That the New Orleans Saints Will Select Texas Longhorns Quarterback Arch Manning In the 2026 NFL Draft

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Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) looks up after recovering a fumble against the Clemson Tigers in the second half at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ricardo B. Brazziell/USA Today Network via Imagn Images

Nick Baumgardner of the Athletic created a 2026 NFL Mock Draft. He thinks that the New Orleans Saints will be the worst team in the NFL this upcoming season and draft Manning number one overall in the 2026 NFL Draft potentially. Baumgardner said,

“The odds of Manning returning to Texas for a fourth season aren’t very long — many believe he’ll be a 2027 prospect. Nothing’s etched in stone, though. And as of right now, Manning is the best QB prospect in this class, from his arm talent to footwork to processing and, perhaps, even mobility.

Who says no to another Manning in New Orleans?”

A lot of people predict that the Saints are going to be the worst team in the NFL this upcoming season. Spencer Rattler beat out Tyler Shough for the starting quarterback job. It will be interesting to see how that will play out for New Orleans under first year head coach Kellen Moore. This is the potential to be a punt year for the franchise because the 2026 NFL Draft class is rich in quarterback talent.

Manning might be better than Rattler and Shough on the Saints roster at the moment. With that being said, Arch is going to have to prove himself this year with the Longhorns. If the Texas star quarterback is everything that people make him out to be then, he will be the number one pick in 2026 by the Saints or potentially another NFL team who needs a quarterback.

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About Glenn Kaplan

Glenn Kaplan is a sports writer covering all things NFC East related and SEC related on Gridiron Heroics, mainly the New York Giants. He also writes for Wisconsin Sports Heroics.

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