Archie Manning NFL Draft Status Uncertain After Early Season

Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN's NFL Draft analyst, has expressed skepticism about Texas quarterback Arch Manning declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft after just one season as a starter, citing Manning's need for further development and consistency. Despite showing flashes of talent, Manning has struggled with inconsistency and is still adapting to the college game, which Kiper believes warrants another year in college before entering the NFL. Similarly, Oregon's Dante Moore has impressed early in the season with strong performances and efficiency, but Kiper notes that Moore's true test will come against tougher opponents, such as Penn State, which could solidify his first-round draft status. Meanwhile, Penn State's Drew Allar is facing criticism for underwhelming performances and is currently not viewed as a top draft prospect, drawing unfavorable comparisons to past players whose draft stock peaked prematurely. Overall, the 2026 quarterback draft class remains uncertain, with many top prospects like Manning and Moore still proving themselves against increasingly challenging competition before making definitive NFL decisions.