‘Won’t Happen This Season,’ ‘Just Don’t Have That Type of Ability’ — Ex-NFL QB Deals a Blow to Arch Manning’s First-Round NFL Draft Hopes
‘Won’t Happen This Season,’ ‘Just Don’t Have That Type of Ability’ — Ex-NFL QB Deals a Blow to Arch Manning’s First-Round NFL Draft Hopes
Deepesh Nair Sat, October 10, 2026 at 9:07 AM UTC
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‘I’m Not Taking a Developmental QB’ — Arch Manning Falls Outside NFL Draft Analyst’s 1st-Round Projections as Texas QB Flatters to Deceive
Red River Rivalry week is here, and the Texas Longhorns are gearing up for their Week 6 showdown with the Oklahoma Sooners. Arch Manning faces a major test as Texas looks to extend its winning streak in the rivalry to three games.
But before kickoff, the Longhorns quarterback has already taken heat from a former NFL quarterback over his inconsistent play. Despite Texas’ undefeated start, it appears Manning has yet to put the concerns about his consistency to rest.
Luke McCown Casts Doubt on Arch Manning’s First-Round 2027 NFL Draft Hopes
Manning is in his fourth college football season after redshirting in 2023 and appearing in just two games that year. Heading into 2026, he was expected to emerge as an elite passer and a contender for the No. 1 overall pick.
However, his performances through the first five weeks have not yet met those lofty expectations, raising questions about his draft stock. Rather than a potential top pick, Manning is now projected by some to fall to the late first round or even the second round.
McCown, who spent 10 seasons in the NFL with several teams, is among those skeptical of Manning’s chances of being a first-round pick.
“Won’t happen this season… not in round one, he just doesn’t have that type of ability,” McCown wrote in response to Fox Sports’ latest 2027 NFL mock draft, which projected Manning to the Miami Dolphins with an early first-round pick.
McCown joins several prominent NFL Draft analysts and executives who have recently questioned Manning’s first-round prospects.
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In ESPN’s latest mock draft evaluations, Jordan Reid projected Manning to fall into the early Day 2 range. PFN’s Ian Cummings, however, believes Manning could still be a first-round pick, though he has concerns about the quarterback’s intangibles.
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“Arch Manning has first-overall physical tools, but the intangibles haven’t caught up as quickly as one would like in 2026,” Cummings wrote.
“Still, on a Cleveland Browns team that has Denzel Boston, KC Concepcion, Harold Fannin Jr., and Quinshon Judkins, he’d be well supported.”
According to PFN’s Jacob Infante, the Arizona Cardinals could also be an ideal landing spot for Manning.
“They have no financial ties to Jacoby Brissett or Gardner Minshew beyond this year, and a Round 3 selection isn’t enough to prevent the Cardinals from investing in their franchise quarterback of the future,” Infante wrote.
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Over his last four games, Manning has completed 73 of 115 passes for 862 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions. He showed grit and resilience in leading Texas to a 24-23 comeback win over Ohio State after the Longhorns fell behind 23-3.
However, he has struggled against top-25 defenses. Manning’s 79.1 PFN QB Impact score ranks #55 in the nation, with Miami’s Darian Mensah currently top of the metric with a 99.9 Impact Score.
When Texas faces Oklahoma on Saturday, Manning will be under the spotlight as Sooners quarterback John Mateer and his teammates look to reclaim bragging rights in the Red River Rivalry.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.
Source: “AOL Sports”
