Arch Manning's Early 2026 Numbers Fall Short of First-Round QB Benchmarks

Through three games in 2026, Arch Manning is averaging 6.8 yards per attempt with a 60.8% completion rate and a 79.5 PFF passing grade, placing him near the bottom among recent first-round quarterbacks in several key metrics. He is also taking longer to throw at 3.19 seconds without producing more explosive plays downfield. There are positives: his turnover-worthy play rate improved to 2.5% from 3.5% last season, and his pressure-to-sack rate sits better than the first-round median. CBS Sports' Ryan Wilson raises the question of whether Manning can use the rest of the season at Texas to build a stronger case for top-pick status heading into 2027.