Arch Manning hype begins as early mock drafts get released before 2025 season

An anonymous NFL executive said that the Cleveland Browns may be ‘tanking’ for Arch Manning in next year’s draft. Colin Cowherd says this is a bad idea for the Browns and that they shouldn’t look over Shedeur Sanders.

The Arch Manning hype for the 2026 NFL Draft began as soon as the 2025 draft ended on Saturday.

The Texas Longhorns quarterback was pinned as one of the first few draft picks in 2026 as mock drafts began to be released. Several mock drafts had Manning either going No. 1 or No. 2 overall. At least one had him falling to No. 8. The Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts were tapped as some of the teams who could select him.

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Texas Longhorns quarterback, Arch Manning during his first practice of the spring season on March 25, 2025. (Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)

There’s been no indication as of yet that Manning will declare for the draft following the 2025 season with the Longhorns. He could still play one more year with Texas and forgo the draft altogether.

ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter warned earlier this month that Manning may wait another year.

"First of all, there’s no guarantees that Arch Manning’s coming out after next year," Schefter said on ESPN’s "Get Up." "It sounds like he certainly could be staying beyond next year.

"I’m not a college football insider, but none of the Mannings ever went out early, and I don’t know, with NIL money being what it is, why Arch would do that? So, all of this conversation about tanking for Arch next year, he could be in the draft in 2027, not even next year."

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning walks onto the field to play the Arizona State Sun