The deadline for collegiate players to declare for the 2026 NFL Draft has passed, and one of the major decisions that will have huge impacts at the top was when Texas quarterback Arch Manning decided to return to school for another season.
The Texas QB is the nephew of both Peyton and Eli Manning, so his decision to return to school was likely after a ton of advice from two former NFL greats. Had Manning declared for the 2026 NFL Draft, he would have easily gone first or second overall.
In fact, we created a hypothetical 2026 NFL mock draft if Arch Manning had opted to declare for this year's NFL Draft, which is taking place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Predicting the 2026 NFL Draft if Texas quarterback Arch Manning had declared
1. Las Vegas Raiders - Arch Manning, QB Texas
Arch Manning would absolutely go first overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, and he'd head to the AFC West to play for the Las Vegas Raiders, who plan on hiring Klint Kubiak as the next head coach. The last time a Manning was playing quarterback with a Kubiak as the head coach, it was the 2015 season with the Denver Broncos.
And that season worked out quite well for Denver.
2. New York Jets - Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Fernando Mendoza would drop to the second overall selection and head to the New York Jets. Mendoza is a very worthy prospect and can do a little bit of everything at the position. He doesn't boast a ton of high-end athleticism, but the accuracy and being able to win from the pocket are two things he can do and how he can sustain a long NFL career.
3. Arizona Cardinals - Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
Arvell Reese is an impact starter from day one once he gets drafted. The Arizona Cardinals have some quarterback concerns of their own, but still would not be able to trade up for Manning or Mendoza, as neither Raiders nor Jets would have interest in moving down.
After quarterback, prioritizing the trenches is the way to go.
4. Tennessee Titans - Rueben Bain Jr, EDGE, Miami (FL)
Speaking of the trenches, the Tennessee Titans select Rueben Bain Jr and give new Titans' head coach Robert Saleh a high-end pass rusher. With Cam Ward being in place and showing a lot of promise down the stretch in 2025, the Titans could be building something special.
5. New York Giants - Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The New York Giants select Carnell Tate in this mock draft and get another potentially high-end pass-catcher for Jaxson Dart. At some point in 2026, the G-Men could have both Malik Nabers and Carnell Tate running routes together.
Those two could form one of the best wide receiver duos in the NFL for years to come. This pick would be about maximizing the Dart era.
6. Cleveland Browns - Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Another wide receiver off the board here, as the Cleveland Browns snag Jordyn Tyson from Arizona State. The Browns just hired Todd Monken as head coach, and Monken does have a strong track record of being a sharp offensive mind, especially when it comes to building a passing offense.
Jerry Jeudy was brought over to the Browns back in 2024, and he just has not panned out like they had hoped.
7. Washington Commanders - Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
The Washington Commanders select Caleb Downs from Ohio State at pick seven in this mock draft and get someone who is a truly special defensive back prospect. Downs is a day one starter and can quite literally do everything on the backend of the defense.
8. New Orleans Saints - Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
The New Orleans Saints may have backed into a future franchise quarterback in Tyler Shough, who played very well in 2025 and is clearly going to go into 2026 as the QB1 of this team. The Saints have been near the bottom of the NFL for a little bit now and should have begun a thorought rebuild once Sean Payton left.
Well, the Saints could get back on track in a big way and might even be able to compete for the NFC South title in 2026 with a year two breakout from Tyler Shough and an added weapon in the backfield in Jeremiyah Love, an elite running back prospect from Notre Dame.
This could also more 'officially' signal the end of the Alvin Kamara era.
9. Kansas City Chiefs - Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
The Kansas City Chiefs are very likely not picking in the top-10 for as long as Patrick Mahomes still knows how to play football, so while a pick on offense might be what fans want, the Chiefs should instead bolster the trenches and get more stout along the defensive line.
Peter Woods is a top defensive line prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft and would be an instant boost to a DL that was limp and uninspiring in 2025.
10. Cincinnati Bengals - Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
At 6-6 and 285 pounds, Keldric Faulk brings good size to the defensive line for the Cincinnati Bengals. Cincy has to invest into the defensive side of the ball this offseason and are very likely using the 10th overall pick somewhere along that unit.