Mel Kiper Jr. makes Arch Manning his No. 1 QB prospect for 2026 NFL Draft
By Mark Kern
Published:
Mel Kiper Jr. has been covering the NFL Draft since 1984, and is one of the most well known draft analyst in all of the NFL. Every year, he makes his projections where he names the best players overall, as well as the best players at each position.
The 2026 NFL Draft class is no different, and Kiper is already naming his top players in the class. Despite Archie Manning coming out and saying his grandson will be back at Texas in 2026, Kiper is going with Arch Manning as his top QB in the class.
“He really is still to be determined, but we are going to go and put him at No. 1,” Kiper told Field Yates on ESPN. “You have to, it’s Arch Manning. We saw glimpses last year of the greatness he could provide that Texas offense. Running the football, he has great legs. Cooper Manning, his father, was a wide receiver until he got injured. He wasn’t a quarterback. He has speed.”
Kiper made those remarks on ESPN’s First Draft podcast:
Manning was the backup to Quinn Ewers, and as Kiper said, he did show big time potential at times last year. He threw for 939 yards, 9 touchdowns and 2 interceptions, while also rushing for another 4 touchdowns.
Right now, he is entering the season as the quarterback for the No. 1 team in the country, and he has the opportunity for a historic season. The Longhorns open at Ohio State, who knocked the Longhorns off last season in the College Football Playoff semifinals.
If he is able to lead his team to a win in that game, the Heisman Trophy talk and the NFL speculation is only going to continue.
