Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning won't be eligible for the NFL draft until 2026, but it's already becoming clear that the perfect storyline is in place for the former five-star recruit's future pro career. 

Manning hasn't started a game yet for Texas. And if everything goes to plan in 2024, he won't start a game this fall for the Longhorns. Manning, the nephew of former Super Bowl MVPs Eli and Peyton Manning, will serve as the backup to Quinn Ewers in 2024. 

Eventually, though, Manning will get his chance to shine in Austin. And when he does, he's expected to show off the skills that made him one of the most sought-after recruits in the nation a couple of years ago. 

It's never wise to make a prediction for a quarterback that doesn't even have a college start under his belt. But it would be a surprise if Manning isn't a high draft selection in 2026. 

And when the 2026 NFL Draft rolls around, the potential for a movie-like storyline involving Manning and his famous last name could dominate headlines. 

Manning is from New Orleans because that's where the Mannings settled after Archie Manning (Arch's grandfather) was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 1971 NFL Draft. Archie played for the Saints from 1971 to 1982.

There's a decent chance that the Saints could be in the market for a new quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft. Derek Carr is the Saints' starter for now, but he's already 33 years old and he's not exactly showed that he's capable of being a franchise quarterback. 

New Orleans, however, hasn't selected a quarterback in the first round since selecting Archie Manning in 1971. 

The Saints could be in position to select a quarterback early in the 2026 NFL Draft. And Arch Manning, the hometown hero, could be a viable option for the franchise. 

The idea of Arch becoming the first quarterback selected by New Orleans since his grandfather was selected by the Saints in 1971 feels like something a screenwriter would put in the sequel to the cinematic classic "Draft Day", which stars Kevin Costner (in his pre-cowboy phase). 

There's obviously a lot that still has to play out for this to become a reality. Manning has to perform well. The Saints have to perform just well enough in 2024 to not need a quarterback in 2025. And then they have to perform badly enough in 2025 to get an early draft pick in 2026. 

But for now, the NFL's dream storyline of Arch Manning to the Saints is a possibility with a somewhat realistic chance of becoming reality. 

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