Coming into the season, Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning was hailed as a No. 1 pick candidate within the 2026 NFL Draft. Oh, how issues have modified after simply two video games. On Wednesday, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. — who has been protecting the draft for the community since 1984 — stated the first-year starter ought to keep at school.
Mel Kiper Jr. explains why Arch Manning is not pro-ready
“I am not popping out after one season,” Kiper stated on “First Draft.” “Historical past tells us you should not. I would need to undergo a 12 months the place he is the man, and also you see that alpha, you see the man, I’ve acquired a command of the offense, acquired a command of school soccer. He is making an attempt to determine it out, and if you happen to’re making an attempt to determine it out in school, you are not going to the NFL in April. Overlook about it. He is again at Texas for subsequent season.”
QBs who begin one 12 months in school typically flop within the NFL. The Chicago Bears took North Carolina QB Mitchell Trubisky with choose No. 2 within the 2017 draft. He posted a barely below-average 87.2 passer ranking in 4 seasons with the Bears and is now a Buffalo Payments backup.
Extra importantly, Manning (6-foot-4, 219 kilos) does not look No. 1 pick-worthy. The 21-year-old hasn’t been horrendous. By means of two begins towards Ohio State and San Jose State, he has accomplished 36-of-60 passes (60 %) for 465 yards, 5 touchdowns and two interceptions.
Nonetheless, he isn’t on tempo to supply comparable numbers as different QBs who went first total. 2025 No. 1 choose Cam Ward (now with the Tennessee Titans) accomplished 305-of-454 passes (67.2 %) for 4,313 yards, 39 TDs and 7 interceptions in 13 video games throughout his last season at Miami.
2024 No. 1 choose Caleb Williams (now with the Bears) accomplished 266-of-388 passes (68.6 %) for 3,633 yards, 30 TDs and 5 interceptions in 12 video games in his last season at USC. He additionally gained the 2022 Heisman Trophy.
Manning — the nephew of Tremendous Bowl champions Peyton and Eli — may nonetheless attain his potential. However it can take time. That is why different draft specialists ought to take heed to Kiper and take him off their massive boards for 2026.
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