The NFL quarterback carousel is spinning, but for some, it’s not moving in the right direction. Quinn Ewers, a name once expected to headline the 2025 NFL Draft, may find himself on the outside looking in-not because of his play, but because of the shadow cast by a quarterback who isn’t even eligible yet: Arch Manning.
Ewers, the Texas Longhorns‘ signal-caller, has done everything right. He led Texas to consecutive College Football Playoff appearances, put up impressive numbers, and looked poised to be one of the top quarterback prospects in this year’s draft class. But as NFL teams strategize for the future, it seems some organizations have their eyes locked on 2026 rather than the present.
While Ewers and his fellow 2025 QB hopefuls prepare for their shot at the league, a shocking development has emerged: multiple teams are reportedly planning to “tank for Arch.” The Texas freshman, who has yet to take meaningful snaps at the collegiate level, is already being hyped as a future No. 1 pick, causing some franchises to reconsider their approach in the 2025 draft.
According to NFL Rookie Watch, scouts have begun circulating buzz that Manning could be the top QB prospect-not in 2026, but potentially even in 2025 if he were eligible. Some teams, believing next year’s quarterback class to be far superior to the 2025 group, are opting to pass on current prospects in favor of waiting for Manning‘s entry into the league.
“In an all-available draft, Arch Manning would go No. 1 overall,” said FOX Sports’ Rob Rang in a recent mock scenario. “The sample size is small, but his physical tools and pedigree put him in a league of his own.”
If teams are serious about this strategy, it spells bad news for players like Ewers, who is already facing concerns about his durability and mobility.
Despite his success at Texas, Ewers’ draft stock isn’t as rock-solid as one might expect. Even before the Arch Manning speculation, some analysts had him pegged as a mid-to-late second-round pick due to questions about his consistency, pocket awareness, and ability to handle pressure at the next level.
A recent mock draft from The Athletic projected Ewers to land with the Seattle Seahawks at No. 50 overall-a far cry from the top-10 selection many envisioned a year ago. The reason? NFL teams appear hesitant to commit to a quarterback from a class they don’t view as particularly strong.
And the numbers support that hesitation. While Ewers put up impressive stats last season-3,472 passing yards, 31 touchdowns, and a 65.8% completion rate-NFL decision-makers are reportedly looking past his production and instead focusing on the future. That future, for many, includes Arch Manning.
The real issue here isn’t just about Quinn Ewers-it’s about the entire 2025 quarterback draft class. Compared to 2024’s star-studded group and the loaded 2026 class on the horizon, next year’s prospects are widely seen as underwhelming.
Cade Klubnik, Drew Allar, Nico Iamaleava, and Garrett Nussmeier headline the projected 2026 class, a group already being described as one of the most talented in years. When NFL teams see that kind of depth ahead, they become hesitant to take a chance on what they consider to be a weaker group this year.
As a result, some front offices are making it clear: they would rather ride out another season with a stopgap QB than invest in a long-term answer in 2025.
The unintended consequence of Manning’s legacy
Is Arch Manning actively trying to derail Quinn Ewers’ draft stock? Of course not. But the power of his last name and the hype surrounding his potential are already shaking up the NFL landscape.
For Ewers, this could mean a draft night that drags on longer than expected. Teams that might have been interested in selecting him early could now choose to wait, leaving him in limbo. It’s not just about whether he gets drafted-it’s about how much the Manning name has already reshaped the conversation before the real evaluations have even begun.
One thing is clear: the “Tank for Arch” movement is real, and it’s already impacting careers before Manning has even secured a starting role at Texas.
Will Ewers be the biggest victim of this shift in NFL priorities? Or can he still prove he belongs among the league’s future franchise quarterbacks?
Either way, the countdown to draft day just got a lot more complicated.
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