Arch Manning slips into perhaps an unfortunate spot in 2026 NFL Mock Draft, though it is familiar territory for the family

Manning showed flashes of his potential last season in limited playing time. While there’s a chance he lights it up this year and declares for the NFL Draft, there’s also the possibility he returns for another season in college.

Arch Manning Slips to New York in Recent 2026 NFL Mock Draft

In a recent 2026 NFL mock draft from On3, Manning isn’t the first quarterback off the board. Instead, he lands with the New York Jets at No. 4 overall. The Jets recently signed Justin Fields to a two-year deal, but he isn’t viewed as a guaranteed long-term solution.

“After the Saints passed on their own legacy QB, the Jets don’t miss out on adding their own Manning at No. 4. That is even with Justin Fields already locked in at quarterback. In this scenario, Manning follows in his uncle Eli‘s footsteps and takes over the Big Apple as New York’s next big thing. He would immediately replace Fields as the Jets’ QB1.” — Alex Byington, On3

Landing in New York would be a major storyline for the Texas star. He’d have the chance to carve out his own legacy in the city—just as Eli Manning did with the Giants. That said, success has been elusive for quarterbacks in recent Jets history, making it a tough environment for any rookie to thrive.

It’s far from a sure thing that Manning enters the draft in 2026. In fact, it may be more likely that he remains Texas’ starter for two seasons and waits until 2027 to turn pro. But if he does declare next year and ends up with the Jets, it would certainly be one of the most compelling storylines of the draft.