ESPN’s 2026 NFL Mock Draft excludes Arch Manning, leaving the door wide open for Alabama football stars to make a strong push for early selections.

The NFL Draft is one of the most anticipated events in professional sports, and for college football players, it serves as the ultimate platform for showcasing their talents. Every year, hundreds of prospects make their way from the college gridiron to the NFL, but not all players enter the draft with the same level of fanfare and expectations. In recent years, one name that has been constantly associated with top draft potential is Arch Manning, the highly-touted quarterback from the Manning family. However, in ESPN’s latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft, Manning is notably absent, raising eyebrows across the football world and leaving the door wide open for other players—particularly those from powerhouse programs like Alabama—to make their own pushes for early selections.

Manning’s absence in the mock draft has significant implications, especially for Alabama football. The Crimson Tide have consistently been a breeding ground for NFL talent, and with a roster stacked with elite prospects, many believe that the 2026 draft could be a monumental year for Alabama players. Without Manning in the picture, the door is wide open for the next wave of college stars to assert themselves, with several Alabama players ready to make their case as future NFL standouts.

The Absence of Arch Manning: A Surprising Development

Arch Manning is the grandson of legendary quarterback Archie Manning and the nephew of NFL icons Peyton and Eli Manning. Given his family pedigree, he was highly anticipated as the next big thing in college football. His recruitment was one of the most followed in recent years, and his eventual commitment to the University of Texas raised expectations to astronomical levels. His arrival at Texas was expected to revolutionize the program, as many experts projected him to become a generational quarterback talent capable of leading the Longhorns back to national prominence.

However, ESPN’s decision to exclude Manning from their 2026 mock draft is notable for several reasons. While it’s important to recognize that mock drafts are speculative at best, the exclusion suggests that Manning’s collegiate career may not be on the trajectory that many anticipated. Despite the immense hype surrounding him, Manning will need to prove himself on the field in the coming seasons. The mock draft highlights a critical reality for highly-rated prospects—talent is just one part of the equation. The ability to perform at the college level and translate that performance into NFL-ready skills is crucial, and Manning still has plenty of work ahead of him.

Manning’s absence from the 2026 mock draft does not necessarily imply that he will not develop into an NFL-caliber player. After all, college football players often undergo tremendous growth over the course of their careers. However, it does open up the conversation about how quickly players like Manning need to step up to meet the expectations placed upon them.

With Manning’s exclusion, attention has shifted to other potential stars, particularly those from schools with a history of producing elite NFL talent. And that’s where Alabama football enters the picture.

Alabama’s Continued Dominance in the NFL Draft Landscape

For years, Alabama football has been a veritable factory for NFL talent. Head coach Nick Saban’s program has produced numerous first-round picks, including some of the most prominent figures in the NFL today. From quarterbacks like Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts to defensive powerhouses like Minkah Fitzpatrick and Derrick Henry, Alabama has been the top choice for players looking to transition into the NFL with elite coaching and world-class facilities.

As we look ahead to the 2026 NFL Draft, Alabama is once again poised to make a significant impact. With Manning’s absence from the mock draft, the spotlight now falls on the Crimson Tide’s current roster of future NFL stars. Whether it’s offensive weapons, defensive standouts, or highly touted quarterbacks, Alabama has the talent that could make them a dominant force in the upcoming draft.

The Quarterback Position: A Key Point of Interest for Alabama

One of the most intriguing aspects of Alabama’s 2026 draft prospects is the quarterback position. With Arch Manning’s inclusion off the table, Alabama may have the opportunity to produce the top quarterback in the class, a rare and significant achievement for the program. Several quarterbacks have shown promise during their time in Tuscaloosa, and with the upcoming seasons likely shaping their professional futures, Alabama has the chance to develop a future NFL star.

As of now, Ty Simpson, a young quarterback with immense potential, is likely to be the front-runner for Alabama’s starting quarterback job in the near future. Simpson has been highly regarded as one of the top quarterback prospects in his class, and with his growing experience and development under Saban’s tutelage, he could easily position himself as one of the top quarterbacks eligible for the 2026 NFL Draft.

Simpson has all the tools necessary to succeed in the NFL. He’s a dynamic athlete with a strong arm, and his understanding of the game has been lauded by coaches and scouts alike. He has the mobility to extend plays, the vision to read defenses, and the accuracy to make the deep throws that NFL teams covet. If he continues to develop at his current rate, Simpson has a clear path to becoming one of the top quarterbacks in the 2026 class.

Beyond Simpson, Alabama’s quarterback competition will likely see other contenders vying for the role, and the results of this competition could have a significant impact on their draft stock. If Simpson or another Alabama quarterback emerges as a standout, the Tide will once again have a premier quarterback prospect in the mix for the 2026 draft. This opens up an opportunity for Alabama to rise to the top of the quarterback market in the draft, which, in turn, could influence their standing as a program.

Wide Receivers and Offensive Playmakers

Another position to watch for Alabama is wide receiver. The Crimson Tide have consistently produced top-tier wide receivers, and the 2026 draft class could feature some exciting talent at the position. Alabama’s current roster is filled with potential stars at receiver, each of whom could make an impact in the NFL if they continue to develop at the collegiate level.

One name to keep an eye on is Jalen Hale, an explosive wide receiver with elite speed and playmaking ability. Hale has the potential to become one of the top playmakers in the SEC and could eventually land in the first round of the 2026 draft if he puts up big numbers in Alabama’s high-powered offense. Alongside Hale, other wide receivers like Isaiah Bond and Kobe Prentice could also see their stock rise as they continue to make plays for Alabama’s offense.

Alabama’s wide receiver group is one of the most talented in the country, and with the right development and production, these players could quickly become top picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. With Manning’s absence, it’s possible that the top wide receiver prospects will come from programs like Alabama, where they have the opportunity to showcase their skills on a national stage.

Alabama’s Defensive Standouts

While Alabama has long been known for producing top-tier offensive players, the defensive side of the ball has been just as integral to the program’s success. Saban’s defenses have been among the best in college football for years, and as a result, many of his defensive players are regularly selected in the first round of the NFL Draft.

The 2026 draft class will likely feature several high-impact defensive players from Alabama, including standout linebackers and defensive backs who could dominate at the next level. Alabama linebacker Dallas Turner has the potential to be one of the top defensive players in the country. Turner has been a force for the Crimson Tide defense and could become one of the top edge rushers in the 2026 class if he continues to refine his game.

Additionally, players like Kool-Aid McKinstry and Eli Ricks, both of whom are projected to be elite cornerbacks, could also see their stock rise significantly if they have another dominant year on the field. The NFL values elite defensive talent, especially at cornerback and linebacker, and Alabama has the kind of players who can meet those demands.

The 2026 NFL Draft: An Open Field

With Arch Manning out of the conversation, the 2026 NFL Draft is shaping up to be one of the most competitive and intriguing in recent memory. Alabama is primed to have several players make their mark, whether at quarterback, wide receiver, or on defense. The absence of Manning has cleared the way for other programs, particularly Alabama, to make a push for top draft positions.

Alabama’s roster is loaded with talent, and with the right development and performances over the next few seasons, many of their stars will likely find themselves at the top of NFL teams’ draft boards. Whether it’s the continued rise of Ty Simpson as a premier quarterback, the breakout performance of Jalen Hale as a top wide receiver, or the dominance of Dallas Turner as a pass-rusher, Alabama is poised to shine in the 2026 NFL Draft.

As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Alabama’s key players to see who can seize the moment and elevate their draft stock. While Arch Manning may be absent from the 2026 mock draft, the stars of Alabama football are ready to step up and make their case as future NFL stars. The stage is set for a thrilling draft, and Alabama’s top prospects are more than ready to take advantage of the opportunity.