Arch Manning won't declare for the 2026 NFL Draft, says Archie Manning

USA Today

10 hours ago

The Rams have two first-round picks but they may not get to use one on Manning in 2026
Equipped with two first-round picks, the Los Angeles Rams could be positioned to take a quarterback early in the 2026 NFL Draft. Arch Manning is viewed as the top prospect as of now but if they're eyeing the Texas Longhorn as Matthew Stafford's successor, they may need a Plan B.
Manning's grandfather, former Pro Bowl quarterback Archie Manning, doesn't think Arch will declare for the draft next year. He believes Arch will stay in school for at least one more year, just like his uncles, Peyton and Eli Manning.
'Arch isn't going to do that,' Manning said of whether Arch will declare for the 2026 draft, via Texas Monthly. 'He'll be at Texas.'
It's worth noting that Archie says he hasn't spoken to his grandson about his plans for the draft, but knowing how Peyton and Eli handled their college careers, he seems to believe Arch will follow the same path by staying in school for at least another year.
Manning played sparingly at Texas last season and is still unfinished as a pro prospect, so it's understandable that he'd want to have more than just one year as a full-time starter in college. He could even stay for two more years after the 2025 season, using his full five years of eligibility.
For the Rams, they've been linked to Manning a couple of times, primarily because they have two first-round picks in 2026. Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson reported recently that the Rams covet Manning's skill set and athleticism, and view him as the only Tier 1 quarterback in the 2026 class.
Some inside the Rams' building even believe he could be a 'Josh Allen-type of prospect,' so they think highly of him.
Speaking to a handful of Rams personnel sources, Manning is — at this moment — considered by the staff to be the lone tier one quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft, regardless of who else could potentially enter into the selection process. Why? The Rams covet Manning's prototypical size and throwing acumen … but also believe it's his level of athleticism that sets him apart from from every other college football quarterback. So much so, the comparison for Manning inside the franchise is that his ceiling after the 2025 college football season could be a Josh Allen-type of prospect who is actually stronger physically and a faster running athlete than Allen was when he entered the draft in 2018.
There will be other quality quarterback prospects in the 2026 draft if the Rams want to go down that road, including Garrett Nussmeier and LaNorris Sellers, but they may have to wait at least one more year if they want a shot at Manning.