The New York Giants are no strangers to big moves, but their latest pick in a 2026 NFL mock draft has the football world buzzing. According to NFL Spin Zone’s Lou Scataglia, the Giants could be taking Texas quarterback Arch Manning with the first overall pick.
The Rise of Jaxson Dart—and His Potential Fall
When the Giants traded into the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft to take Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart, it seemed like they had found their franchise quarterback. Dart was the future of Big Blue, a player with the physical tools and intangibles to get the team out of mediocrity.
But the NFL stands for Not For Long and Dart’s time as the Giants’ golden boy might not last a year. In Scataglia’s mock draft the Giants have the first overall pick in 2026 and take Arch Manning—a name that carries a lot of weight in football history.
If this happens it means Dart failed to live up to the hype. Whether it’s inconsistent play, injuries or just being outplayed by better talent, Dart not being able to secure the starting job could force the Giants to move on quick. And while losing a first round pick hurts, the Giants could get some value by trading Dart to a quarterback needy team desperate for answers under center.
Why Arch Manning is Irresistible
Arch Manning isn’t just another quarterback prospect, he’s the next chapter in one of football’s most storied dynasties. The grandson of Archie Manning and nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning, Arch is the quarterback of the Giants. His uncles both won Super Bowls for the Giants, Eli with two.
Manning hasn’t played much at Texas yet—only 95 attempts—but his potential is real. In 2024 he completed 61 of 90 passes for 939 yards and 9 touchdowns. If he builds on that in 2025 he’ll be the top quarterback in the country.Scataglia says if Manning declares for the 2026 draft he’ll be the first overall pick. For the Giants it wouldn’t be about drafting a player it’d be about getting a symbol of hope, a leader for a team that needs stability.
A Disaster That Paves the Way for Change
Of course, owning the first overall pick isn’t something Giants fans will be celebrating. It means the 2025 season was a total disaster—a fact that would likely cost the coaching staff and front office their jobs. A new regime would take over and bring in new ideas and priorities.
And what better way to start fresh than by drafting Arch Manning? As Scataglia points out, “if the Giants are on pace to have the first overall pick, a new regime is likely on the way.” In that scenario, Manning is the ultimate reset button. He’s young, talented and comes with built in credibility because of his family name.
For Giants fans though, there’s a bittersweet element to this. On one hand, getting Manning feels like a home run—a once in a generation chance to draft a quarterback who could be the face of the franchise for years to come. On the other hand, it shows just how bad the team was in 2025.
What This Means for the Future?
If the Giants do end up drafting Arch Manning, it raises a lot of questions. Would he start right away or would they ease him into it? How would the fanbase react to Jaxson Dart being cast aside so soon after being called the “quarterback of the future”?
And Manning’s success is not guaranteed. While his pedigree suggests greatness, the NFL is full of players who were highly touted and never panned out. But the idea of drafting someone like Manning—a mix of natural talent and historic lineage—is too good for any struggling franchise to pass up.