Arch Manning hasn’t even played a full college season yet, but he’s the early favorite to go No. 1 in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Fox Sports has him sitting at +225 odds, Manning sits atop the board not because of hype alone, but because he has the pedigree, the arm talent, and the football IQ to back it up. For some, one big question is whether he could be the best quarterback prospect since Andrew Luck.
That’s a serious claim. But Manning isn’t just some highly rated recruit, He’s part of football’s royal family, with his polished mechanics and decision-making this combination has him in elite status. His potential in college football and the next level seems astronomical. If he takes the starting job at Texas and dominates, his draft stock won’t just climb, he'll be a lock for number 1 if he comes out next year.
Here’s the list of players with the best odds to go No. 1 in the 2026 NFL Draft:
Top 10 Odds to Be No. 1 Pick in 2026 NFL Draft
- Arch Manning, QB, Texas — +225
- Drew Allar, QB, Penn State — +275
- Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU — + 425
- LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina — + 800
- Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson — + 1200
- Sam Leavitt, QB, Arizona State — + 2500
- T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson — + 2500
- Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State — + 2500
- Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn — + 2800
- Fernando Mendoza, QB, Cal — + 3000
The draft board is stacked with quarterbacks, but no one is a clear runaway yet. Allar and Nussmeier bring big arms and rising buzz, while Sellers and Leavitt could break out with big seasons. Klubnik still carries five-star weight despite a rocky start.
Defensive players like T.J. Parker and Caleb Downs add balance, threatening to shake up the top spot if they explode in 2025.
Still, all eyes are on Manning.
Luck came into the draft with a full resume of success and polish. Manning doesn’t have that yet. But the fact we’re even making the comparison shows how high the expectations are.
The season ahead will be the real test. If Manning steps up and owns Texas’ offense, he won’t just be the favorite to go No. 1 next year; he'll be chasing past prospects for a place as one of the best.