Arch Manning has only started two college games but is already being discussed as a potential first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. While he still has a lot to prove, much has been made of the storyline involving the New Orleans Saints potentially tanking to draft him, the same franchise where his grandfather once played.
While it’s fun to speculate, former New Orleans Saints safety and Super Bowl champion Roman Harper is pumping the brakes on the idea. He believes Arch Manning should take his time developing, and even suggests he should steer clear of the Saints altogether.
Roman Harper Says Arch Manning Should Avoid Saints Despite Family Ties
Manning is heading into the 2025 season as the Texas Longhorns’ full-time starting quarterback for the first time. While there’s speculation he could declare for the 2026 NFL Draft, many believe he’s more likely to return for his senior season in Austin.
Among those people is Harper. On the “Texas Sports Unfiltered” podcast, Harper was asked about the possibility of New Orleans tanking for Arch at the end of the season.
The Super Bowl Champion explained that Arch’s family and the Texas quarterback will not rush that decision and will do what’s best for him at the end of the season, citing that every other Manning has stayed in college for their senior season.
“It would be interesting, but I don’t think Arch is even thinking about this,” Harper said. “Like I said, they’re not in any rush. They’re slow playing this thing; every other Manning has been a senior.”
It’s a valid point. Arch will likely want more experience than just one season before heading to the NFL, and there’s a strong family precedent. His uncles, Peyton and Eli, and his grandfather Archie, played through the end of their college careers.
While the idea of Arch potentially playing for the franchise his grandfather once did in the NFL is fun, Harper feels like the young signal-caller should do his best to avoid the Saints until they get a better roster.
“He’s got money, so what is he rushing for?” Harper said. “You’re rushing to get to a bad team? Where your grandfather got beat up and can barely move around now because of what happened to his body?”
It’s an unexpected take from Harper, who played for the Saints for eight seasons, but it’s good advice. Rookie quarterbacks who go to bad situations often struggle, so that could be yet another reason for Manning to bypass the 2026 Draft.
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It’ll be interesting to see what happens at the end of this season and whether or not Manning stays at Texas, but it’s clear that Harper wants him not to rush his decision and find the right path for him.
