Arch Manning’s name still carries plenty of weight, but the draft chatter around him is cooling fast.
Texas’ quarterback is widely expected to be in the mix for the 2027 NFL Draft, yet more evaluators are beginning to wonder whether he belongs anywhere near the top of the board. Some even think he shouldn’t leave college next year at all.
Todd McShay is firmly in that camp. On Thursday, the longtime NFL Draft analyst released his top 10 quarterbacks for the 2027 class and left Manning off entirely.
The idea of Manning sticking around for a fifth college season has been a frequent topic this year, especially on social media. It’s becoming a more attractive path for quarterbacks, particularly when they’re playing for a stronger team.
For Manning, though, the family backdrop adds another layer. Archie Manning got to the NFL after three college seasons, while Arch’s uncles each spent four years in college before turning pro.
A fifth season would make him the first quarterback in the family to take that route.
Strip away the name and the buzz, and the statistical case looks shaky right now. In five games this season, Manning has completed 63 percent of his passes for 1,122 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions.
His four-touchdown outing against Texas State is doing a lot of the heavy lifting in that line. If he doesn’t catch fire over the final seven regular-season games, and maybe the College Football Playoff too, the conversation around his draft stock could look very different when the decision gets here.
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