NFL front office staffer has words for Texas QB Arch Manning ahead of Ohio State originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning is preparing for one of the biggest games of his career against Ohio State.
The rematch in Austin will be a litmus test to see how far Manning has come since the woes of last year. However, one NFL front office staffer isn't sold on his talent and doesn't trust he can get the job done.
"He's still got a ways to go," the staffer recently said anonymously to CBS Sports.
"I think he's an eventual first-round guy, but I don't think the tape from last year says first round yet. I view Arch right now as a developmental (NFL) starter that still has a long way to go in terms of touch and processing and seeing the field, but you expect that he's going to get it because he has all the physical tools and the wiring and the pedigree of his family and all that."
Some NFL personnel and scouts aren't sold on Manning, but does he have the opportunity to be a top-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft? Absolutely.
Manning ranks as one of the top players on many draft boards. Also, the tune may change if Texas beats up Ohio State on Saturday.
There's always one thing to remember about the anonymous coach or scout. When you hear a negative report, it could be due to a team trying to watch a play fall on them. In Manning's case, there's very little evidence to support him not being a top-five pick.
All eyes will be on Texas as they welcome Ohio State into Austin on Saturday. The primetime event will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
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