Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning
‘Hasn’t Lived up to Expectations’ — CFB Analyst Boldly Claims Arch Manning Doesn’t Deserve To Be a First-Round Pick in 2027 NFL Draft 1
‘Hasn’t Lived up to Expectations’ — CFB Analyst Boldly Claims Arch Manning Doesn’t Deserve To Be a First-Round Pick in 2027 NFL Draft
Fans were expecting a lot from the young Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning, but his recent performances during the 2026 college football season are proving otherwise.
Manning was widely viewed as one of the premier prospects for the 2027 NFL Draft, but given the current situation, it doesn’t look like he will be able to justify his draft status.
Arch Manning
Nov 28, 2025; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning warms up before a game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
In a recent episode of “NFL on CBS”, analyst Ryan Wilson shared his blunt assessment of Manning, as he believes the quarterback has not been able to deliver his best. Wilson said:
“He has not played up to being a first-round pick, Anthony Richardson, high-upside, traits-y guy. Will Levis, high-upside, traits-y guy. Arch Manning is one of the best athletes that’s playing college football. He has a big arm. He can do a lot of things well, but he has not played either last year or this year, in my mind, like a top-15 pick.
“If you need other positions to fill out the roster from 16 to 32, I’m not taking a developmental quarterback until after Round 1. So, that’s where I came down there. Doesn’t mean the season can’t play out differently for Arch and get red-hot. But right now, I had five other quarterbacks I would take before Arch if the draft were tomorrow.”
"He has not played up to being a first-round pick. Right now, I have 5 quarterbacks I would take before [Arch Manning] if the draft were tomorrow." 👀@ryanwilsonCBS #scoreboard pic.twitter.com/KvPsBIawk5
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) October 7, 2026
Manning’s performance is adding fuel to the criticism he is facing. The quarterback is no longer an inexperienced player. He spent the 2025 season as Texas’ starting quarterback, so expectations were naturally higher for his second year as the QB1.
Leaving all the criticism aside, Manning has proved that he has the qualities needed to become a great team player. His arm strength is one of his biggest positives and gives him an important advantage on the field. NFL teams will want to see him become more consistent with his decision-making, accuracy and ability to perform against strong defenses.
The expectations have changed for the young quarterback. He was once viewed as one of the most impressive quarterbacks, but he still has time to change that perception. Manning could turn things around in the second half and remind everyone why he was once considered such a highly regarded prospect.
Manning entered college football with an added advantage, and that is why he will always be under the radar. His last name has given him opportunities and brought significant attention, but the ultimate decision will always be based on his own ability and performance on the field.Manning cannot control the comparisons to Peyton and Eli Manning or the expectations created before he became Texas’ starter. What he can control is his performance on the field.
The 2026 season will be very crucial for the young quarterback, as his performance will play an important role in determining his future with the organization. He has to prove that he can perform under pressure and demonstrate better command of the offense if he wants to regain his position among the top quarterback prospects.
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