Todd McShay Explains Why Arch Manning is 4th-Best QB in 2027 NFL Draft Class Ahead of CFB Season

Arch Manning is the most notable name in all of college football heading into the 2026 season as the quarterback of a championship contender in Texas and the nephew of NFL legends Peyton and Eli Manning.

But NFL draft analyst Todd McShay only has him ranked as the fourth-best quarterback when it comes to a 2027 NFL draft perspective.

During a Wednesday appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, McShay explained he ranked Oregon's Dante Moore, South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers and Notre Dame's CJ Carr ahead of Manning in that order.

"And kind of surprised," he said (2:20 mark). "I thought it was going to be Arch, Dante, neck and neck for number one based off, this is purely off of the tape and where they are now and recognizing that Arch is supremely gifted and has a chance to continue to develop and could very easily be the first overall pick in the 2027 class."

McShay explained that it is less about Manning struggling and more than this has "a chance to be the best or one of the best quarterback classes of all time."

Ohio State's Julian Sayin, who was a Heisman Trophy finalist and could be a first-round pick, checking in at No. 5 is more proof of just how loaded this draft class could be at the position.

"Arch, interestingly enough, at number four, very similar grade to Carr just above him, but I think we know where he can improve as a passer," McShay said (3:30 mark). "We also know how 6'3" 230, such a gifted runner. I think it's almost underrated how when I watched his tape and just went back, the acceleration and the speed when something's not there. He's different in that regard."

Fortunately for Manning, he will have every opportunity to play his way up draft boards.

The Longhorns face Ohio State, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Florida, Ole Miss, LSU and Texas A&M this season and will be under the spotlight throughout the campaign. If he plays well and challenges for a Heisman Trophy and College Football Playoff spot, it would be anything but surprising if he is a candidate to be the top pick.

B/R's NFL Scouting Department projected just that to happen last month when it had Manning going No. 1 overall to the New York Jets in a 2027 mock draft.

For now, though, one of the industry's most notable draft analysts believes he is looking up at three other signal-callers.