The 2025 NFL Draft wasn’t even a month ago, yet some are already imagining what the 2026 draft will look like.
While the 2025 quarterback class was considered to be weak, the 2026 crop should be better. Passers like Garrett Nussmeier from LSU, Arch Manning from Texas, and Drew Allar from Penn State are slated to be the top options at the position.
The team over at CBS Sports recently put together a 2026 mock draft. The duo of former Tennessee Titans general manager Ran Carthon and Chip Patterson were responsible for making the No. 4 overall pick for the New York Jets.
With that pick, Carthon and Patterson had the Jets selecting star prospect Arch Manning. Regarding that selection, the pair offered the following:
Arch Manning follows in the footsteps of his uncle (Eli Manning) by playing in the Big Apple. Manning replaces 2025 starter Justin Fields for the Jets, who hope Manning turns out much better than the last quarterback they took in the top five (Zach Wilson in 2021).
Of course, the Jets having the No. 4 overall pick means the team at CBS Sports is expecting another rough season in 2025. If that happens, it likely means that quarterback Justin Fields struggled in his first year with the team.
The Jets signed Fields to a deal worth $20 million annually, but only for two years, so it wouldn’t be hard for the team to move on after just one season.
Manning would be a fascinating pick for the Jets.
As Carthon and Patterson mentioned, Manning’s uncle Eli also played quarterback in New York and won two Super Bowls with the Giants. Adding a Manning would not only excite the fanbase, but possibly secure the team’s most important position for a decade or more.
Manning is far from a sure thing at this point, though. The legendary prospect has played in just 12 games in his college career so far, as he had been stuck behind Quinn Ewers at Texas.
So far, Manning has completed 63-of-95 passes for 969 yards with nine scores and two interceptions in college. The quarterback also showed some leg talent, rushing for 108 yards and four touchdowns.
With Ewers now in the NFL, Manning is expected to be the full-time starter in 2025. Depending on how this season goes, Manning could have even more NFL hype, or he could potentially stay at school.
Of course, if Fields performs up to his deal, the Jets may not be in the market for a quarterback at all.
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