Arch Manning Scouting Report

Arch Manning checks all the boxes of a modern franchise NFL quarterback, combining athleticism with high-level accuracy and a keen understanding of the game of football.

Draft Grade: Round 1 – Pro Bowl Caliber

Strengths:

Arm Strength/Velocity: Manning can make all of the throws on the field.

Athleticism: Manning can be utilized in the run game on QB-designed runs, but can also use his legs in the pocket to escape pass rushers and extend plays. 

High IQ/Intelligence: Manning excels both pre-snap and post-snap in diagnosing the defense coverage.

Accuracy/Arm Talent: Manning is an accurate passer who can complete passes using different angles and ball trajectories.

Concerns:

Limited Snaps: Due to a crowded Texas quarterback room, Manning sat for the first two years of his career. If he enters the draft this year, there will be a limited sample size of snaps compared to other quarterbacks for NFL organizations to evaluate.

Risk Taker: Although Manning’s arm talent appears to be high-level, he sometimes trusts his arm too much and attempts to fit passes into tight windows, which can lead to potential turnovers.

Arch Manning Summary/Projection:

Arch Manning is the grandson of Archie Manning, the son of Cooper Manning, and the nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning. When he is drafted into the NFL, he will become the third generation of the Manning family to play in the league. Coming from a storied football legacy—especially one with a name as iconic as Manning—brings both attention and high expectations. Arch appears to understand the weight of that legacy and seems fully prepared to meet it, playing at a high level for the University of Texas.

In limited playing time, Manning has already shown a unique blend of football IQ, accuracy, and athleticism that projects him as a potential top NFL draft prospect.

Manning demonstrates a strong ability in pre-snap identification, using defensive cues to begin diagnosing coverages and determining where to go with the football. Post-snap, he continues that process with the ability to recognize when a defense changes its look and adjusts accordingly. Throughout the play, he works efficiently through his progressions, consistently getting to the correct read and delivering the ball on time.

One of Manning’s most impressive traits is his ability to throw the football. He shows a deep understanding of arm angles, ball trajectory, and how to fit passes into tight windows—whether horizontally on crossing routes or vertically on downfield shots. Manning sees the field well and throws with anticipation, often placing the ball between defenders with excellent timing and touch.

An underrated but critical part of Manning’s game is his athleticism. He is a plus-level athlete at the quarterback position, which opens up opportunities not available to traditional pocket passers. Manning can be effectively used in RPO (run-pass option) schemes and must be accounted for as a potential runner. He has shown the ability to pick up significant yardage on the ground, both on scrambles and on designed quarterback runs like power or counter plays.

His athleticism also enhances his effectiveness in the passing game. On bootlegs, rollouts, and sprint-outs, Manning moves efficiently, gets outside the pocket in a controlled manner, and delivers accurate throws on the run. He is comfortable operating outside of structure and shows the ability to escape pressure when the pocket collapses. Manning can turn a broken play into a positive gain by keeping his eyes downfield and finding open receivers while on the move.

There are two primary concerns with Manning as a quarterback prospect. The first is his limited college playing time if he declares for the NFL draft in 2026. Having backed up Quinn Ewers for the first two years of his career, Manning will likely enter the draft with fewer starts than most of his peers, leaving NFL evaluators with a smaller sample size to assess.

The second concern involves his decision-making in tight-window situations. Manning is confident in his arm and trusts his ability to make difficult throws, but at times that aggressiveness puts the ball in jeopardy and creates turnover opportunities for the defense.