Texans Summer Scouting: Arch Manning

Texas quarterback Arch Manning is one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the league with his elite arm talent and impressive mobility. Because of this, he’s someone that Houston Texans fans should pay attention to throughout the season. Although quarterback isn’t their biggest need, it’s still smart to learn about the top-end talent just in case it becomes one. 

Manning, the six-foot-four, 219-pound redshirt junior, is coming off a solid 2025 campaign with 248 completions for 3,163 yards and 26 touchdowns. Additionally, he added another 519 yards and 10 touchdowns as a rusher, according to PFF. 

Despite this impressive production, Manning was heavily criticized for his performance, particularly early in the season. He struggled immensely to start the year, throwing five interceptions in his first five games. However, he stayed composed and bounced back with a stellar end to the year.

Manning’s early-season struggles stemmed from his lack of experience against top-tier competition. His processing was subpar during this stretch, as he was consistently sped up by pressure. This plummeted his anticipation and led to some questionable mechanics, particularly with his footwork. However, he grew in this area throughout the year and eventually turned his processing from one of his biggest weaknesses to one of his greatest strengths.

One consistent aspect of Manning’s season was his staggering arm talent. He has a rocket of an arm with a 60+ yard range. Additionally, he puts ample velocity on his passes, meaning he can fit the ball through tight windows. Beyond this, he has excellent touch on his passes and can precisely layer his throws past defenders. 

Even if a defense perfectly covers the pass, Manning’s legs are a big-play waiting to happen. He pairs blazing speed with immense power that helps him run away from defensive linemen and power through arm tackles by second-level defenders. As a result, his ability to scramble can bail him out and create something out of nothing. 

These aforementioned qualities make Manning one of the top quarterbacks in the nation and a major contender to be a top-10 pick next April.

This article isn’t saying that the Texans should move on from CJ Stroud. In all likelihood, he will have a bounce-back season and establish himself as the franchise quarterback. Still, it’s smart to explore every outcome and get to know prospects at varying positions, including quarterback. That’s the goal of summer scouting: learn about prospects with enticing traits. So, this isn’t a declaration that the Texans must replace Stroud and draft Manning; instead, it’s saying that he’s a talented player who could resurface in certain situations next offseason.

Although this situation where Arch Manning is an option for the Texans is unlikely, it’s still worth keeping an eye on him throughout the season. His improvement throughout 2025, outstanding arm talent, and mobility make him a premier prospect who could go early in the first round.