Texas QB Arch Manning Predicted to Replace Polarizing $230 Million NFL Quarterback

Arch Manning Predicted To Be Selected by the Browns With the No. 1 Pick in the 2026 NFL Draft

The Saints would make for quite a story given Manning's grandfather's impressive tenure in New Orleans. Yet, there is no guarantee that the Saints will land the No. 1 pick.

ESPN's Field Yates concurs with Easterling that Manning is the early favorite to be the No. 1 pick if the quarterback enters the 2026 NFL draft. Yates predicts the Cleveland Browns, not the Saints, will have the top pick as a result of FPI projections. The ESPN mock also has Manning being the No. 1 pick.

"Manning has a very good build, throws with accuracy to all levels of the field and shows solid movement traits," Yates wrote on Aug. 20. "He's a different QB than his uncles Peyton and Eli were in that he is a threat with his legs.

"He is inexperienced and needs to add more weight to his 6-foot-4 frame, but it's easy to see his immense ceiling. I know the Browns just drafted two passers this year, but if they are picking first overall next year, then yes, they'll be taking a quarterback."

Could the Browns Find a Permanent QB Replacement for Deshaun Watson in Arch Manning?

Cleveland already does not lack for quarterback storylines after the team selected Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel in the 2025 NFL draft. Neither quarterback earned the starting gig with Joe Flacco being named the Browns QB1.

Lost in the latest quarterback battle is that Deshaun Watson still remains on the Browns roster with a five-year, $230 million contract that is slated to go through the 2026 season. Watson is recovering from an Achilles injury.

The difference between Manning and the Browns rookie quarterbacks is that the Texas signal-caller would enter the NFL as a much more highly touted prospect, unless something changes during the college football season.

As for Watson, the former Pro Bowler's tenure in Cleveland has not gone as planned. Watson has dealt with significant injuries in addition to the off-field legal issues. The Browns signed Watson to a fully-guaranteed $230 million deal after acquiring the star in a blockbuster trade with the Houston Texans in 2022.

Neither decision has aged well for the Browns.