5 likeliest NFL teams that could draft Texas Longhorns QB Arch Manning in 2026

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning has yet to become a starter at the collegiate level yet he's already considered by many a future NFL starter. And it's not just the name doing the work for him, either.

He's got the traits and high school film to project him as a strong QB prospect down the road, entering college football as a five-star recruit.

Per the way-too-early 2026 consensus board, Manning is currently considered the third best QB of that class, which is the earliest he could be eligible for the NFL Draft. 

Obviously, it's a very difficult task to try and predict who could end up with one of the biggest names in recent draft history when there's two NFL seasons to be played until then, but we're going to try in this post by looking at five teams with the following characteristics: 

• Teams with no current assured long-term QB plan at quarterback. 
• Teams with head coaching turmoil.
• Teams unlikely to turn downward trends around soon.

Denver Broncos

The Broncos are currently set to have $32 million in dead money for the 2025 NFL season due to their unsuccessful bet on QB Russell Wilson. That's the highest amount in the league as of today, per Over the Cap.

With no clear plan for the future and financial turmoil, the Broncos are a prime candidate to be picking very early in the 2026 NFL Draft, specially since they've got to deal with AFC West football. The last time they bet on a Manning, a Super Bowl was won. Could Arch lead them to glory again?  

New Orleans Saints

From Archie to Arch: Could the Saints end up with the grandson of the man that led the franchise for a decade? It's not crazy to think about. The Saints are projected to be $74 million over the cap for 2024 and while they can maneuver it like they've done countless times before, they don't have a plan at quarterback for the future and Dennis Allen could be coaching for his job next season. 

The Saints could very well be in the discussion for picking Manning in 2026. 

Carolina Panthers

This is not a knock on Bryce Young but the Panthers are just bad. They made some aggressive moves in 2024 bringing in multiple starters for the offensive line and adding WR Diontae Johnson but none of it is guaranteed to work out.

More importantly, they bet on former Buccaneers OC Dave Canales to be their head coach. If it doesn't work out over the next couple of seasons, we just know the Panthers will seriously consider hitting the reset button. With the way things are going for David Tepper's franchise, this would be the one spot that could have Arch thinking of pulling an Eli. 

Arizona Cardinals

This is a tricky one. The Cardinals have shown faith in QB Kyler Murray by moving from the No. 3 overall pick last year and ahead of the 2024 Draft, they're likely going to pass on a quarterback at fourth, as well.

But 2026 is the first year the Cardinals could benefit from cap savings by moving on from Murray. With his 2027 salary becoming guaranteed in March of 2026, it'll be decision time in Arizona. If they're in a good spot in the NFL Draft then, Manning could be in the mix. 

New York Giants

I believe it's clear the Giants are not sold on Daniel Jones. They were one of two teams that talked to Russell Wilson in free agency and they brought in Drew Lock for a guaranteed $5 million.

Seahawks GM claimed the Giants convinced Lock he'd have a chance to compete with Jones to be the starter. And with the sixth overall pick of 2024, they might be just out of reach to nab one of the top QBs in this year's class. 

Now granted, Manning going to the NFL in 2026 is far from a guarantee. So far, he's proven he's willing to do things the old-fashioned way. He's avoiding the transfer portal despite Quinn Ewers' decision to stay in Texas and that NIL money could end up leading to a longer stay with the Longhorns.