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Not every team will trade a player between now and the Nov. 10 trade deadline, but what if they did?

As the NFL trade deadline is now less than three weeks away, it’s time to explore which players might get moved. So, we named the top trade candidate on all 32 teams. Some are more prestigious and obvious, while some others might be a sneaky depth piece a team needs in order to make a playoff run come January. 

Let’s take a look at the top trade candidate for all 32 teams.

Click on a team below to navigate this post.

AFC

NFC

Trade Candidate: DE Josh Sweat

Eric D. Williams: Sweat had 20 sacks in the last two years, but he has just two sacks through the first six games this season. Sweat, 29, didn’t participate in offseason work because of a knee issue and was thought to have wanted a trade before the season started. The Cardinals are in full rebuild mode and traded 2024 first-round pick Marvin Harrison Jr. to the Texans earlier in October. Why not move on from Sweat as well? Sweat is in the second year of a four-year, $76.4 million contract he signed with Arizona at the start of free agency last year. He’s underperformed so far this year, though, so the Cardinals should get whatever draft compensation they can and see if Sweat can restart his career with a new team.

Trade Candidate: CB Mike Hughes

Greg Auman: Atlanta’s still in strong contention in the NFC South, so don’t expect the Falcons to deal core pieces away. But trading Hughes for even a pick swap would clear a path for second-round rookie Aveion Terrell to step into a larger role. Terrell only has six tackles in his first five games, and Hughes is a reliable veteran who started 27 games over the last two years. Perhaps once A.J. Terrell is back from his groin injury, Atlanta will be comfortable dealing Hughes to get both brothers on the field together.

Trade candidate: WR Rashod Bateman

Steven Ruiz: Bateman is off to another slow start in what many expected to be a breakout year for the former first-round pick. The Ravens aren’t flush with receiving options, but Bateman doesn’t look like an essential piece right now. He’s received three or fewer targets in more than half of his games, even with Baltimore’s WR1, Zay Flowers, missing time. First-year offensive coordinator Declan Doyle loves his tight ends, so there are fewer snaps to go around. With a younger, cheaper option in Ja’Kobi Lane, Bateman looks expendable. The 26-year-old still has some trade value, so Baltimore can recoup draft capital while saving about $4 million in cap space over the next two seasons. 

Rashod Bateman only has 16 catches in six games this season. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Trade Candidate: WR Joshua Palmer

Henry McKenna: The Bills acquired Palmer with high hopes for what he could do in the offense, but basically everyone else has emerged while he has not. D.J. Moore is a crucial piece when healthy. Keon Coleman is finally emerging. Khalil Shakir is steady Eddie. And rookie Skyler Bell might soon earn playing time. That makes Palmer expendable.

Trade Candidate: TE Ja’Tavion Sanders

Auman: With injuries all over, the Panthers are more likely to make an addition than to take away from a team they see as still in strong contention to repeat as NFC South champs. But if they can get a seventh for Sanders, it’s a win. He’s been a healthy scratch so far this season after totaling 62 catches for 532 yards and two scores in his first two years in Carolina. Find a contender who has an injury at tight end, and he can add depth and is on his rookie deal for one more year as well.

Trade Candidate: TE Cole Kmet

McKenna: The heavy tight end sets have not turned into the new normal in the ways that many expected in Chicago, and the Bears now have three tight ends who are potential contributors, from Colston Loveland to Kmet to rookie Sam Roush, a third-round pick in 2026. I’m not certain the Bears trust Roush to take over the TE2 spot, and I know Chicago loves Kmet’s leadership. But this might be the deepest position on Chicago’s roster.

Cole Kmet has seen his snap count decrease over the last few seasons. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Cincinnati Bengals

AFC North

↑ All teams

Trade Candidate: DE Shemar Stewart 

Ben Arthur: Stewart was a first-round pick just last year, but he doesn’t appear to be in the Bengals’ long-term plans. He’s played just 8% of defensive snaps in games he’s appeared in. He didn’t play at all in the Bengals’ Week 3 loss to the Steelers despite being on the game-day roster. Having depth on the defensive line is not an excuse for being unable to find snaps for your healthy top pick from a year ago … unless you’re done with him. Cincinnati should be able to fetch a decent return for Stewart, the No. 17 overall pick in 2025.  

Trade Candidate: WR Jerry Jeudy

Arthur: Jeudy had a career-high 1,229 receiving yards in his first season with the Browns in 2024, but his production has been on a downward trajectory since. His receiving total dropped by more than half in 2025 (602) and he’s currently averaging a career-low 16.2 yards per game in 2026, pacing for a career-low. Rookies Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion also represent the Browns’ future at wide receiver, so Jeudy doesn’t appear to be in the team’s long-term plans anyway.  

Trade Candidate: TE Luke Schoonmaker 

Ruiz: The 2023 second-round pick has fallen out of favor in Dallas after Brevyn Spann-Ford beat him out for the backup tight end job in camp. The Cowboys may not have a spot for Schoonmaker, but three-tight-end groupings are the newest offensive fad, so some teams may be interested in giving him playing time. Schoonmaker is a solid blocker with enough athleticism to contribute as a pass catcher. There are worse ways to spend a Day 3 pick if the Cowboys are willing to sell low. 

Trade Candidate: CB Jahdae Barron

Ruiz: It’s unlikely the Broncos would want to cut ties with the 2025 first-round pick so soon, but if the team wants to make a big splash at the deadline, the second-year cornerback, who’s stuck on the bench behind Patrick Surtain and Riley Moss, could be the piece that gets a blockbuster deal over the line. Injuries at the position have thrust Barron into a starting role, but he’ll return to playing limited snaps once the starters get healthy. 

Jahdae Barron has seen an increase in snaps this season, but that’s largely because of the injuries the Broncos have had injuries at corner. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Trade Candidate: RT Larry Borom 

Ruiz: The Lions are paying Borom $5 million to sit on the bench. Detroit signed the right tackle early in free agency but then drafted Blake Miller in the first round to play the same position. With holes all over the defense, a $5 million backup tackle isn’t really a luxury Detroit can afford right now. It’s tough to say what the asking price for Borom would be. He’s struggled as both a blocker in both the pass and run games, but he has plenty of experience at a premium position.

Trade Candidate: WR Jayden Reed

McKenna: Reed’s currently on IR, but he seems like a player who might be better — and more productive — in another offense. He might provide something different from what Matthew Golden and Christian Watson have to offer. But the Packers don’t really make use of Reed’s talents, and they haven’t missed a beat offensively without him.

Jayden Reed might be more expendable with Christian Watson and Matthew Golden emerging this season. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)

Trade Candidate: DT Sheldon Rankins  

Arthur: The Texans, who just added wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., don’t have an obvious trade candidate. But veteran defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins could be appealing to some teams. The 32-year-old former first-round pick is a full-time starter for Houston and was signed to a two-year extension this offseason, but moving him could be a way to get rookie second-rounder Kayden McDonald more snaps. Rankins’ snap count has gone down in the two games McDonald has played since being activated off injured reserve. In a potential deal, the Texans would probably have to eat some of the guaranteed salary owed to Rankins, who’s owed $3.5 million in guarantees for 2027.

Indianapolis Colts

AFC South

↑ All teams

Trade Candidate: DT Grover Stewart

Arthur: Former No. 4 overall pick Anthony Richardson Sr. obviously comes to mind here — he requested a trade this offseason, after all — but he’s the Colts’ top backup quarterback and Daniel Jones’ current struggles make him more valuable. That’s why I look at someone like the 32-year-old Stewart, a productive veteran on an expiring contract. If the Colts’ season continues to go downward, he’s worth a late-round pick to a contending team that needs interior defensive line help. Stewart has no guaranteed money left on his contract, which helps.

Jacksonville Jaguars

AFC South

↑ All teams

Trade Candidate: WR Brian Thomas Jr.

Auman: BTJ has fallen off in the two years since his 10-touchdown rookie season. He’s totaled nine catches for 105 yards and one touchdown in six games this season. But if Marvin Harrison can fetch a second and then some, the Jaguars would do well to get assets back for a receiver who clearly isn’t part of their plans. He’s being outproduced by sixth-round rookie Josh Cameron, so a fresh start could help him. He’s only $2.8 million next year on the last deal of his rookie contract, so it’s not just a three-month rental.

Trade Candidate: OT Khalil Benson

McKenna: It’s nice to have depth options at tackle, but you won’t go broke taking a profit. Khalil Benson has been a serviceable depth option after arriving as a rookie free agent. But if someone offered the Chiefs good value in a draft pick, maybe they’d consider immediately getting a return on their investment in Benson. Can’t go broke taking a profit?

Trade Candidate: QB Kirk Cousins

Ruiz: Quarterbacks are always in high demand, and with several vacancies popping up throughout the league, the demand could be even greater at the deadline. If the Raiders continue their slide after a 3-0 start, passing up the draft capital Cousins could fetch in a trade wouldn’t make much sense, with first-overall pick Fernando Mendoza ready to step in and get on-field experience. Mendoza looked ready to play during preseason and impressed in a brief cameo against the Patriots. Cousins may be playing well now, but he has no future with the team. If a team is willing to give up a Day 2 pick for the 38-year-old, Las Vegas would be silly to pass on such a deal.

Los Angeles Chargers

AFC West

↑ All teams

Trade Candidate: Edge Khalil Mack

Williams: The Chargers were expected to emerge as Super Bowl contenders with the addition of innovative offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel to jump-start Justin Herbert’s career. Instead, the wheels have fallen off, and it’s a lost season for the Bolts. One of the best pass rushers of his era, Mack can still rush the passer at 35 years old and has enough gas left in the tank to jump-start the pass rush for another team like the Chicago Bears or San Francisco 49ers. Mack signed a one-year, $18 million deal to return to the Chargers instead of retiring this offseason, but $10 million of that has already been paid via signing bonus, and that expiring deal could be an appealing contract for a team looking to go on a deep playoff run at the end of the season. Mack has three sacks through six games.

Trade Candidate: TE Colby Parkinson

Williams: Yes, the Rams run three tight end sets more than anyone in the NFL, deploying that look in 31% of their offensive snaps. And Parkinson has played in 206 snaps on offense this season; only Tyler Higbee has played more at tight end. However, Parkinson is in the final season of a three-year contract that pays him $7 million in total compensation this season. The Rams drafted his potential replacement in Max Klare, who’s only played in one offensive snap this season. Last year’s second-round pick, Terance Ferguson, is also expected back at some point this season from an ankle injury, so the Rams have depth at tight end. And for a roster in need of receiver help, Parkinson could be a potential trade chip to bring back much-needed pass-catching help on the perimeter.

Trade Candidate: DL Zach Sieler

Auman: Sieler is the longest-tenured Dolphins player left on the roster, and there’s a value in keeping veteran leaders to guide an extremely young roster. But if they’re collecting picks, they could deal him to a contender — he’s 31 but has never won a playoff game — and free up cap space for the inevitable free agency spending. Sieler has two sacks and five tackles for loss, so he could be a solid addition for a team lacking experience up front.

Trade Candidate: WR Jauan Jennings

McKenna: There’s already buzz about him getting traded, given that he’s putting together cryptic social media posts. Jennings is good in the Shanahan system, which makes him appealing to the greater NFL, given that system’s popularity. And the Vikings appear set at receiver with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and even Tai Felton.

New England Patriots

AFC East

↑ All teams

Trade Candidate: RB TreVeyon Henderson

McKenna: You don’t really want to sell on a playmaker who brings explosives in the run game. But if someone came offering? Maybe the Patriots would think about letting Henderson go. He’s good for a long run here and there. Otherwise, he has a nasty habit of running into the backs of his offensive line — and missing blocking assignments in pass-pro.

New Orleans Saints

NFC South

↑ All teams

Trade Candidate: Edge Cameron Jordan 

Auman: Jordan is a career Saint and a future Hall of Famer, but he considered signing elsewhere this summer before returning. If their struggles continue, he’s 37 and hasn’t been to a playoff game since 2020, so maybe you give him a chance to go out as a backup for a Super Bowl contender. He has zero sacks and zero tackles for loss this season, so you’re going to get a seventh back for him, not likely anything more. This is more about giving him one last shot somewhere else.

Trade Candidate: Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux

Ralph Vacchiano: It would be hard to do if the Giants stay in contention because of the season-ending injury to Brian Burns, but Thibodeaux is still their most valuable trade chip — a young pass rusher with an expiring contract. He hasn’t been the same since he had 11.5 sacks in 2023, and hasn’t had any in the last 11 games. He’s been mostly a non-factor on the Giants’ defense this season. Surely someone who needs pass-rushing help sees his talent and believes they can untap whatever is left of his potential.

Trade Candidate: Edge Will McDonald

Vacchiano: The self-described “fireball” still has a lot of pass-rushing value, even as his role on the Jets seems to diminish. With the emergence of super-rookie David Bailey and the addition of vets Kingsley Enagbare and Joseph Ossai, McDonald has played more than 50% of the Jets’ snaps in just one game this season. Since he’s signed through 2027, he could bring a bigger haul in return than a regular rental. And as the Jets build towards a better future, draft picks may matter more to them than wins.

Philadelphia Eagles

NFC East

↑ All teams

Trade Candidate: G Landon Dickerson

Vacchiano: Everybody needs offensive line help, and at just 28 years old, this 6-foot-6, 332-pounder could bring a huge return. He’s signed through 2028, with only about $24 million left after this season (and $21 million of that in yearly option bonuses), so it’s an easy contract for another team to absorb. He’s on IR with a knee injury, so he’d have to prove he’s healthy. However, the Eagles already traded C/G Cam Jurgens and look like they’re ready to rebuild their once-powerful offensive line. Dickerson could be part of that, but not if the return is too good to pass up.

Pittsburgh Steelers

AFC North

↑ All teams

Trade Candidate: LB Patrick Queen

Vacchiano: Queen’s only 27 and still a tackling machine, but he’s never quite had the impact the Steelers expected when they signed him to a three-year, $41 million deal. Now in the last year of that contract, he makes perfect sense as a rental for a team that needs defensive help down the stretch. It could be tough to sell anyone for a team trying to make one last playoff run for retiring QB Aaron Rodgers. But the Steelers also just brought back veteran ILB Elandon Roberts, who is 32. and could be a short-term fill-in if Queen is dealt.

San Francisco 49ers

NFC West

↑ All teams

Trade Candidate: QB Mac Jones 

Williams: Brock Purdy is playing at an MVP level, but the Iowa State product has had injury issues in the past and the 49ers might not want to move on from an insurance policy like Jones. However, the Alabama product is in the final year of a two-year deal and would receive decent draft compensation in return from a team looking for a competent starter during the backstretch of the season familiar with Kyle Shanahan’s offensive scheme. Specifically, a team like the Atlanta Falcons with Michael Penix Jr.’s injury history or the Tennessee Titans with Cam Ward’s struggles might be interested in having another option at quarterback. Titans head coach Robert Saleh is familiar with Jones from his time working as the defensive coordinator for San Francisco.

Mac Jones went 5-3 as a starter last season. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Trade Candidate: OL Olu Oluwatimi

Williams: Seattle selected Oluwatimi in the fifth round of the 2023 draft as a potential starter at center, but he never seized the starting job, and Jalen Sundell now appears like a long-term answer at the position. In the final year of his contract, Oluwatimi could prove expendable and someone who has value in a trade because of his starting experience that helps bring in a player that could help improve Seattle’s roster as they push to defend their Super Bowl title down the backstretch of the year.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

NFC South

↑ All teams

Trade Candidate: RB Kenny Gainwell

Auman: The Buccaneers gave Gainwell $7 million a year, but he’s had a quiet first six games — 122 total yards on 31 touches. Tampa Bay has Sean Tucker barely being used as their third back, so let’s say a team dealing with multiple injuries like Philadelphia, where Gainwell played his first four years. Unless they’re guarding against a Bucky Irving injury, the Bucs could do worse than to shed an underperforming high-salary player while adding a late-round pick.

Trade Candidate: WR Calvin Ridley 

Arthur: Ridley already took a pay cut to stay with the Titans this offseason, but his role continues to diminish in Tennessee. He’s averaging a career-low 13.5 receiving yards per game, and he’s playing 53% of snaps. The Titans need to give more looks to their younger receivers (Carnell Tate, Elic Ayomanor, Chimere Dike) in a season that’s going nowhere anyway. The 31-year-old Ridley would be best utilized on a contending team with a receiver need. Linebacker Cody Barton is also a name to watch in Nashville. 

Washington Commanders

NFC East

↑ All teams

Trade Candidate: DT Daron Payne

Vacchiano: Once thought to be one of the best young defensive tackles in the league, Payne has 12 sacks in three-plus seasons since his breakout 11.5-sack season in 2022. The decline started right after he signed a four-year, $90 million contract, which is expiring this year. At age 29, it’s doubtful he re-signs with Washington anyway, and with the way the team and defense are crumbling, the Commanders already seem like the most likely sellers in the NFC East. Payne may not be the inside pass rusher he once was, but big (6-3, 320), talented bodies in the middle of defensive lines remain valuable commodities for contenders that want to give their edge rushers a little more room to work.

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Does the NFL have any elite teams this season?

If you ask Nick Wright, he’ll tell you the answer is no. He does have the 49ers atop his Week 7 tiers, the Chiefs right behind them, and a history lesson Wright says should worry San Francisco.

“There’s no elite teams this year,” Wright said during Wednesday’s edition of First Things First. “It’s a weird year in the NFL.”

Someone still has to sit at the top, though. Wright put the San Francisco 49ers in his top tier, titled “We Know How This Ends,” followed by the Kansas City Chiefs in “Hiding In Plain Sight.” The Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings came next as “Partial Juggernauts.”

Wright said the question for that third tier is how much a dominant side of the ball can cover for the other.

“The question for these teams is how much does being a true juggernaut on one side of the ball, not elite, but a juggernaut on one side of the ball, cover up for deficiencies on the other side of the ball,” Wright said.

“If you do have the best offense in football, which the Bills might, can you get away with having a bottom-10 defense? If you do have the best defense in football, which the Vikings might, can you get away with having a bottom-10 offense? 

“I don’t know, but certainly thus far in the regular season, they’re a combined 11-1, it’s worked out.”

 (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)

Wright is higher on the Chiefs than their tier placement suggests. He thinks they will eventually grow into the kind of team he’s not willing to call elite yet.

“The team that’s been to five of the last seven Super Bowls, that hasn’t lost an AFC playoff game since, I don’t know, the first Trump presidency, that all of a sudden has the best running back in the league and a young defense, and one of the greatest quarterbacks we’ve ever seen, that’s also undefeated. I think they’re probably awesome. I think they’re probably only going to get better,” Wright said. 

“I think they’re probably actually going to end up being an obvious juggernaut when the best quarterback in the league added a guy who’s on pace to run for 2,400 yards. However, they’re not top of the tiers right now.”

That spot belongs to the 49ers, and Wright doesn’t sound convinced it will last. He pointed to two earlier San Francisco teams that started strong and had championship hopes end in the Super Bowl.

“2019, the San Francisco 49ers started out not 6-0, 8-0, and oh my God, Kyle Shanahan is scheming it up and Jimmy Garoppolo looks like a league MVP, and they were the best team in the league,” Wright said.

“They were the one seed and they walked into the Super Bowl and got clipped. And then in 2023, the San Francisco 49ers started 5-0, the quarterback’s an MVP candidate, and they’re the one seed and they walked into the Super Bowl and they got clipped by the team right beneath them on the tiers, but right now they’re atop the tiers.”

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Wednesday brought a quarterback change in New York and a pair of offensive stars returned to practice as teams around the league ramp up for Week 7. 

J.J. McCarthy will start for the Giants against the Texans after Jameis Winston was benched in Sunday’s loss to the Saints. Lamar Jackson got in some limited work for the Ravens as he tries to return from his ankle injury, and Josh Jacobs was back at practice for the Packers after being cleared following an NFL investigation.

Here’s the latest from around the NFL on Wednesday.

John Harbaugh is going with J.J. McCarthy at quarterback for the Giants’ Week 7 road game against the Texans on Sunday, head coach John Harbaugh announced. 

McCarthy, acquired from the Vikings last month for a 2027 fifth-round pick, replaced Jameis Winston in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Saints after Winston threw two interceptions. He finished with 243 yards, a touchdown, an interception and 26 rushing yards.

Winston had started four of the last five games after Jaxson Dart’s season-ending knee injury, totaling 957 yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions. New York is 2-1-1 in his starts and leads the NFC East at 3-2-1. 

McCarthy has a history with the Harbaugh family, having played for Jim Harbaugh at Michigan and won the 2023 national title. The No. 10 pick in 2024, he missed that season with a torn meniscus and started 10 games for Minnesota in 2025.

Josh Jacobs is back on the field for Green Bay and is expected to play this week, according to NFL Network. Jacobs has been on the commissioner’s exempt list due to a misdemeanor battery charge in May. Jones was convicted of battery and fined $1,000 and agreed to a deferred judgment agreement on a charge of damage to property after pleading no contest in September.

Jacobs had his first media availability of the season and opened with an apology.

“I’m sorry for putting this team in this situation,” Jacobs said. “Sometimes, when you go through life, situations occur. A 4-second, 3-second decision can alter your life.”

Packers coach Matt LaFleur also addressed Jacobs’ return Wednesday. 

“I think a lot of times you get in a situation where you might not make the right decision. I think people learn from their mistakes. He’s extremely remorseful,” LaFleur said. “I do believe he is a good person. I’ve been around him quite a bit. I believe in second chances.”

Lamar Jackson is finally back on the practice field in some capacity. 

Coach Jesse Minter said the quarterback got “limited work in” during practice on Wednesday, though he called Jackson’s recovery “a day-by-day thing.”

Jackson has missed the last two games since spraining his left ankle in an Oct. 4 win over the Titans.

Tyler Huntley led a comeback win in Atlanta in Week 5, before Baltimore fell 13-10 to the Browns last Sunday. At 4-2, the Ravens host the division-rival Bengals this week in a pivotal AFC North matchup. 

Minter had said Monday that Jackson could “potentially” practice this week, and Wednesday’s work is the first sign his return to the lineup could be close.

   Who’s In, Who’s Out For Patriots vs. Bears

The Patriots and Bears both have injury concerns heading into Thursday night’s game at Soldier Field.

Chicago ruled out running back Kyle Monangai, who will miss his third straight game with a thumb injury and turf toe. Linebacker Jack Sanborn is also out with a concussion.

New England ruled out five players: guards Alijah Vera-Tucker (hamstring) and Ben Brown (knee), and cornerbacks Carlton Davis III (neck), Karon Prunty (hamstring) and Channing Canada (hamstring).

The Patriots will have receiver A.J. Brown, who is off the injury report. Davis will miss his third straight game, and the Patriots haven’t had him and Christian Gonzalez on the field together since Week 3.

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Sam LaPorta’s time in Detroit could be coming to an end. 

During an appearance on “Pardon My Take,” the Lions’ tight end didn’t hold back when asked about his feelings toward the franchise regarding ongoing contract negotiations. He described the negotiation process as disappointing and admitted that he feels underappreciated.

“It’s disappointing that you go out there every week and bear the risk of getting hurt. Like last year, I broke my f—ng back for the team. And then I’m going out there this year, and I’m balling, and maybe they’re just not showing the love,” LaPorta said.

The injury that LaPorta was referencing was when he suffered a fully herniated disc in his back during Week 10 of last season. The injury required microdiscectomy surgery that forced him to miss the final eight games of the year.

Drafted out of Iowa in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, he has quickly established himself as a core offensive centerpiece and a trusted target for Jared Goff. Notably, in his rookie season, LaPorta broke the tight end rookie receptions record. 

Since entering the league, LaPorta has hauled in 213 receptions for 2,420 yards and 23 touchdowns, averaging 11.4 yards per reception. When LaPorta is fully healthy, he is currently on pace to notch the first 1,000-yard receiving season of his career.

As it stands, LaPorta is locked in on the next three months of football, but he isn’t shying away from his future. 

LaPorta reiterated his desire to stay with the Lions, but he also emphasized the business side of the game. If Detroit isn’t willing to match his value, LaPorta has no hesitation about wearing a different uniform and pursuing a market value contract in free agency.

“I’m going to continue to do my thing and ball out, and in three months, if I don’t get to wear the Honolulu blue and play for the Lions anymore, it’s going to be all good,” LaPorta said. “I’ll go get paid somewhere else. So whatever.”

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The Green Bay Packers have been a different team defensively in October. Jaguars CB/WR Travis Hunter has been flashing the potential that made him the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Giants WR Malik Nabers has picked up where he left off last September before tearing his ACL. 

Each week, I dive into the All-22 coaches’ film before offering a few insights to watch. Here are three developments that could be long-term storylines involving some of the best teams and players in the NFL.

1.

When the Jacksonville Jaguars traded significant draft capital to the Cleveland Browns to select Travis Hunter with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, doubters wondered whether the Heisman Trophy winner could make his mark as a full-time two-way player.

Most projected him as a standout at wide receiver or cornerback, but few believed he could shine as a regular playmaker on both sides of the ball because of the taxing workload and the daunting challenge of mastering two marquee positions with limited practice reps.

After Hunter suffered a season-ending knee injury during his rookie season, on the eve of taking on a bigger workload at wide receiver, not many expected him to bounce back as a two-way standout. The skepticism only intensified coming into this season as the Jaguars projected him as a starting cornerback despite the fact he logged most of his snaps at wide receiver last year. Even with head coach Liam Coen and general manager James Gladstone offering detailed explanations that the increase in defensive snaps reflected a change in roster construction, Duval County was up in arms over the potential loss of Hunter as a two-way contributor.

The gradual “ramp up” period designed to help Hunter return from injury while acclimating to a full-time role as a CB1 and offensive specialist frustrated observers who wanted the first-rounder to serve as the Jaguars’ shutdown corner and primary perimeter playmaker on offense. After watching Hunter shine in Week 6 on both sides of the ball, the Jaguars deserve credit for the developmental plan and how they deployed their budding star over the first few weeks.

The Jaguars used a college tactic to maximize his talents on defense by positioning him as the “field corner” (cornerback who aligns to the widest side of the field). They’ve done so in a scheme that features some “Quarter, Quarter, Half” concepts that instruct the field corner to play “read-man” coverage against the outside receiver on the wide side of the field. By putting Hunter in this role, the Jags are playing to his strengths as an instinctive cover corner with outstanding ball skills, while letting him get comfortable on both sides of the field. As each rep affords Hunter an opportunity to master his technique and footwork from both sides, Jacksonville has quietly prepped the 6-foot, 189-pounder to eventually “travel” with the opponent’s WR1.

The plan paid off this past Sunday against the Texans, as Hunter shadowed Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins. Although he didn’t follow the 6-foot-4, 222-pounder into the slot, Hunter’s ability to line up at outside corner opposite the big-play specialist allowed the Jaguars to play “best on best” on defense in key moments. And based on PFF numbers, the move worked. Collins caught two of his four targets while defended by Hunter for 63 yards. Although one of those receptions went for 42 yards following a double move, the second-year pro was in perfect position to defend the ball but was simply beaten by a pinpoint pass from a red-hot C.J. Stroud.

Hunter made amends for the huge gain with a critical goal-line interception that showcased his instincts and awareness in coverage. Hunter was positioned at left cornerback and followed his assignment on a post-corner route that led him inside before perfectly executing a speed turn to get back into proper coverage position. While Stroud’s errant pass landed squarely in Hunter’s chest, it was the latter’s awareness and instincts that caused the game-changing interception for the Jaguars.

Offensively, the Jaguars increased Hunter’s workload against Houston by utilizing him as WR3 in their spread formations. He motioned around to draw defenders, but Coen also used the pre-snap movement to create leverage for his spectacular playmaker on downfield routes. On Hunter’s 19-yard reception in the second quarter, the slick route-runner crossed the field before weaving outside on a switch release to create leverage on a 15-yard dig route. By motioning him across the field and snapping the ball while he was in the slot, Hunter won the route with his favorable leverage against an outside defender.

Hunter later produced another big play on a slant route from the slot, using his speed and quickness to outmaneuver the slot defender. His crafty wiggle at the top of the release separated him on an easy pitch-and-catch from Lawrence. With Hunter also flashing spectacular running skills in space, the quick-rhythm throw was a low-risk, high-reward item on Coen’s call sheet. 

Finally, the Jaguars’ clever deployment of Hunter at running back in the tight red zone created a winnable matchup against a linebacker in the slot. By aligning him in the backfield before running an angle route that put him behind a short crossing route, the Jaguars created a window for Lawrence to drill a pass into the sure-handed pass-catcher between a pair of linebackers unable to squeeze the route due to the route-running chaos around them. With Coen digging deep into his bag of tricks to help Hunter get more touches in a pivotal divisional game, it appears the Jaguars are finally ready to unleash their two-way standout on the football world when they return to action following a Week 7 bye.

2.

Count me among the skeptics who didn’t buy defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon’s bold claim that he arrived in Green Bay without a fixed scheme or pre-defined playbook. Despite his success building a championship-caliber defense in Philadelphia and serving as a defensive-minded head coach with the Arizona Cardinals, I did not believe the young defensive architect would build a playbook after assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the Packers’ personnel instead of arriving with a call sheet.

Whatever the case, the Packers’ defense dismantled Cowboys QB Dak Prescott and Co. in a 23-13 victory last Thursday. It marked Green Bay’s third consecutive game registering multiple takeaways while also holding its opponent to fewer than 15 points. The stellar performance from a unit missing three defensive linemen, rising star linebacker Edgerrin Cooper and All-Pro pass-rusher Micah Parsons ranks among the most dominant performances of the season. It’s a far cry from where this unit was in the opening weeks of this season, much less late last season.

The Cowboys were completely befuddled by the Packers’ varied looks, as Gannon showed the football world how to build a scheme around the individual and collective talents of a defensive lineup loaded with ultra-athletic and aggressive playmakers. With safeties Xavier McKinney and Evan Williams, linebacker Zaire Franklin, edge Lukas Van Ness and defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt settling into their respective roles as disruptors, their creative playcaller is utilizing a myriad of overload blitzes and simulated pressures from exotic, pre-snap disguises to keep quarterbacks and coordinators guessing at every turn.

Moreover, Gannon’s constant “bluff and blitz” tactics challenge the quarterback’s mental and physical toughness, with wrong answers leading to blown protections and big hits that can turn into turnovers. Additionally, the veteran DC’s crafty chess game will bait QBs into critical errors that result in pick-sixes from the Packers’ ball-hawking defensive backs.

Green Bay leads the NFL with nine interceptions, thanks to an overwhelming combination of blitz pressure and sticky coverage. The blitz-heavy approach taps into the speed, quickness and explosion of an athletic bunch that ramps up fast and free in an aggressive scheme.

Studying the All-22 coaches’ footage from Week 6, the perfectly choreographed “bail out” strategy from Williams led to a pivotal red zone interception. The aggressive playmaker was aligned at the line of scrimmage, then retreated to a “robber” spot to intercept a pass to wideout CeeDee Lamb at the goal line. By positioning the deep middle safety deep in the box to threaten an edge pressure, Gannon enticed Prescott to dismiss a blindside defender as part of the pass rush, leading to a critical error from a veteran QB who typically takes outstanding care of the ball.

Javon Bullard’s fourth-down breakup late in the fourth quarter was another example of the Packers’ exotic pre-snap disguise leading to an errant throw from Prescott. The Packers’ aligned in a mugged-up look with seven defenders at the line before dropping out into a three-deep zone with the third-year pro floating into the flat. Although Prescott anticipated pressure with a sprint-out pass, the switch from man to zone led to a late throw that Bullard knocked down, resulting in a crucial turnover on downs.

The Packers’ success against the Cowboys is part of a three-game streak in which the unit has forced 11 turnovers. As opponents continue to wilt under Green Bay’s relentless pressure, Gannon is building the fast, violent takeaway machine he promoted when he took the coveted job in the offseason.

3.

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers has quietly posted three straight 100-yard games after missing most of 2025 with a torn ACL. The former top-10 pick has shown no ill effects from the injury, showing outstanding route-running skills and playmaking as the Giants’ WR1.

Since busting out against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 4 with a six-catch, 112-yard effort that included a 25-yard touchdown, Nabers has caught 29 passes for 398 yards and a pair of scores on 42 targets. The third-year wideout has flourished as New York’s No. 1 option by producing 18 first downs and seven explosives during this three-game stretch. Nabers is again routinely snagging balls on the perimeter again and giving the Giants’ passing game more pop as Jameis Winston and now J.J. McCarthy have taken to force-feeding him the ball. 

With Nabers primarily aligned out wide and Isaiah Likely positioned in the slot or as an attached tight end, the Giants are forcing opponents to make tough decisions when trying to neutralize their most explosive weapons. If DCs try to take away Nabers with “cloud” coverage (corner jams the receiver at the line of scrimmage, with a half-field safety over the top), they risk Likely splitting the seams for huge gains. And if defenses focus extensively on Likely, Nabers has proven he can win one-on-one coverage, with his explosive rate ranking near the top of the charts.

With Nabers’ return adding a new dimension to this offense, future opponents will need a creative plan to handle the Giants’ emerging big-play specialist.

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The title used to belong to Lamar Jackson, but Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is clearly the best running quarterback in the league.

And it’s really not even close. 

Allen leads all quarterbacks with 240 rushing yards and tops the NFL with eight touchdowns this season. Extrapolate that over 17 games and that’s 680 rushing yards and 22 (!) rushing touchdowns. The former would be his most in a season since 2022, and the latter would be a career high. 

Last year, Allen and the Bills made a concerted effort to not use him as a rusher as much. However, Allen still finished with 579 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns before running for 99 yards and two scores in the two playoff games, including a four-turnover effort in a loss to the Denver Broncos.

New Buffalo head coach Joe Brady appears to have reignited Allen by unleashing him more as a runner. The obvious concern is Allen suffering a significant injury on scrambles. But as he’s aged, Allen has gotten better at protecting himself when he runs the football.

Josh Allen leads the league in rushing touchdowns this season. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

Allen won a closely contested competition two years ago with Jackson, in which I thought he deserved the award. In that season, Allen did a great job of taking care of the football, with just six interceptions. This season, Allen already has five turnovers through six games.

If Allen wants to take home his second MVP trophy and potentially bring home Buffalo’s first Super Bowl in franchise history, he must balance making the highlight reel play with taking care of the football in critical moments of the game.

With the NFL schedule inching towards the midpoint of the year, here’s a snapshot of where I think things stand for the top candidates at every major award. 

Offensive Player Of The Year

The skinny: Jaxon Smith-Njigba leads the NFL with 17 100-yard games since 2024. His 331 receptions and 4,268 yards are the most in a player’s first four seasons in Seattle Seahawks history. 

Bijan Robinson remains the engine of Atlanta’s offense, leading the league in scrimmage yards with 785. However, he hasn’t been as dominant as Kenneth Walker III. The reigning Super Bowl MVP has been one of the most elusive runners this season. Per Next Gen Stats, Walker has forced a league-high 47 missed tackles, per Next Gen Stats. Since entering the league as a second-round draft pick by the Seattle Seahawks, Walker has forced 280 missed tackles, tied for second-most in the NFL behind Derrick Henry (347) as he’s proven to be a valuable pickup for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Jahmyr Gibbs just missed the cut in this edition, but the Detroit Lions’ star figures to remain in the race this season. He already has 105 carries through five games, and he’s on pace to carry the ball a career-high 357 times. The most rushes for Gibbs in a season? That would be 250 times in 2024.  

Defensive Player Of The Year

The skinny: The Texans looked better last week but are still 2-4 this year. However, Will Anderson leads the league with 7.5 sacks and, much like Myles Garrett last season, the Alabama product is a dominant player on a bad team (for now). 

Dallas Turner has been the best player on the best-performing defense statistically in the NFL in the Vikings. Turner is tied for third in the league in sacks (5.5) and has two forced fumbles. Minnesota leads the league in points allowed (12.8 points per game), is tied for second in takeaways (10) and tied for fifth in sacks (17). 

Fred Warner has filled up the stat sheet. He’s third in the league in tackles with 58, has three forced fumbles and three pass breakups for the undefeated 49ers. 

Coach Of The Year

The skinny: Kyle Shanahan once again proves he’s one of the best in the business by managing one of the most injury-ravaged rosters in the NFL. Shanahan consistently does more with less talent and will continue to have to work wonders due to injuries at receiver for San Francisco. 

Kevin O’Connell is buoyed by having the best defensive coordinator in the league with Brian Flores, but Kyler Murray is starting to show flashes of better connectivity with Minnesota’s playmakers on offense. 

No one expected Todd Monken to have the Browns at the top of the AFC North at this point of the season, and he’s so far proved doubters around the league wrong. 

Offensive Rookie Of The Year

The skinny: Undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels has played the most of any rookie quarterback and the Buccaneers have a 1-2 record with him as the starter, replacing an injured Baker Mayfield. However, Daniels does have five interceptions. At some point, Fernando Mendoza could make some noise once the Las Vegas Raiders make him as the starter. Jeremiyah Love leads all rookies with 245 rushing yards but has had trouble staying on the field due to injury. 

As for the players currently in the race, Carnell Tate leads all rookies with 29 receptions and appears more comfortable in Tennessee’s offense, building better chemistry with Cam Ward. But Denzel Boston has made more impact plays (three touchdowns) for a better team in Cleveland. Germie Bernard finished with 11 receptions for 87 yards and a score in a Pittsburgh win over Tampa Bay, proving to be a steady pass-catcher for Aaron Rodgers.

Defensive Rookie Of The Year

The skinny: Jacob Rodriguez leads all rookies with 57 combined tackles. David Bailey leads rookies in sacks (5) and quarterback pressures (29). Masses still tops all rookies in interceptions (3) and is third in pass breakups (6). Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs also deserve some shine here, and have made impact plays during the season. 

MVP

The skinny: Brock Purdy, the “game manager,” is tied for first with 14 touchdown passes and is second in the league with a 118.1 passer rating this season. Purdy has 27 career games with a passer rating of at least 110, trailing only Russell Wilson (34 games) and Patrick Mahomes (31) for the most by a player in his first five seasons in NFL history. 

Mahomes has been much better this year, but Walker has been the most important person on offense for the Chiefs this season, which is why he’s second on this list. However, Allen is coming for one of the top two spots. He’s had some spectacular highs and some frankly embarrassing plays as well this season, so we need to see more consistent play snap to snap, which Allen is certainly capable of producing.

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Week 7 of the college football season was chaotic, with five of the top seven teams falling. The upsets confounded experts everywhere, but they’ll try to rebound in Week 8.

It starts with “Big Noon Kickoff” as No. 6 Indiana tries to bounce back from its loss to No. 3 Ohio State against a Michigan team, resurging after a quarterback change. Arch Manning will try to keep his job as he leads No. 19 Texas into a must-win game against No. 7 Ole Miss. 

Then the night ends with a Big 12 matchup with College Football Playoff stakes when undefeated No. 10 Utah hosts No. 14 Houston. After consecutive weeks where the No. 1 team lost, the field is wide open. We’re breaking down our straight-up picks and the matchups to watch closely throughout the weekend.   

	RJ Young	Laken Litman	Ben Portnoy
Last Week	4-6	5-5	5-5
Overall	46-22	38-20	36-22

  Michigan vs. No. 6 Indiana

Curt Cignetti and Indiana’s 22-game win streak came to an end when the Hoosiers were defeated by Ohio State in Week 7. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

When: Saturday, noon ET (FOX)
Where: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Line: Indiana -7

RJ Young: Indiana
After watching Indiana’s defense turn Julian Sayin into a tackling dummy, I shudder to think what it might do against Michigan’s newly named starting quarterback, Tommy Carr.

Laken Litman: Indiana
The Hoosiers have never lost back-to-back games under Curt Cignetti and that won’t start now — not even with Michigan likely starting Tommy Carr at quarterback. 

Ben Portnoy: Indiana
After being in Bloomington last week for Indiana’s loss to Ohio State, I think I’m more confident than ever that the Hoosiers can repeat as Big Ten champions. Michigan should get a nice spark from Tommy Carr, but I’m skeptical of a first-time starter against Bryant Haines’ defense.

  No. 1 Miami vs. Pitt

Quarterback Darian Mensah kept Miami’s undefeated season alive with multiple clutch drives against Florida State. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

When: Saturday, noon ET (ESPN)
Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, Florida
Line: Miami -20.5

Young: Miami
The No. 1 team in the country needs to act like it against a team that lost its star player and starting quarterback Mason Heintschel earlier this season.

Litman: Miami
The ‘Canes escaped their scariest test of the season vs. Florida State last week and will be locked in against a struggling Pitt team.

Portnoy: Miami
Pitt hasn’t been the same team since Mason Heintschel was lost for the season. Miami quarterback Darian Mensah is still my pick for the Heisman Trophy and I think he’ll put up more big numbers on Saturday.

  No. 18 LSU vs. Auburn

Alex Golesh led Auburn to an upset over top-ranked Georgia in Week 7, the first time the Tigers have defeated the No. 1 ranked team since 2017. (Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

When: Saturday, noon ET (ABC)
Where: Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, Alabama
Line: LSU -7.5

Young: LSU
I sincerely doubt Auburn can pull off that trick of knocking off a top-25 team for the second week in a row.

Litman: Auburn
Jordan-Hare Stadium will be rocking and ready for Auburn to upset its second straight SEC powerhouse.

Portnoy: LSU
The Tigers are in do-or-die mode right now. LSU brass spent millions to flip this roster and bring Lane Kiffin to Baton Rouge. I think it keeps its CFP hopes — fleeting as they may be — alive for one more week.

  UCF vs. No. 2 BYU

BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier threw for one touchdown and rushed for two more in the Cougars’ upset of Notre Dame in Week 7. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)

When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (FOX)
Where: Acrisure Bounce House, Orlando, Florida
Line: BYU -6.5

Young: BYU
I don’t believe in “emotional letdowns,” and UCF has been playing without star quarterback Alonza Barnett III most of this season.

Litman: BYU
The Cougars don’t seem like the kind of team that’s going to have a letdown week after their massive win over Notre Dame. How many ways will quarterback Bear Bachmeier score this Saturday?

Portnoy: BYU
No Alonza Barnett III, no way UCF is winning this game. The Golden Knights have improved in Year 2 of the Scott Frost Era (Part 2), but the Cougars look like the best team in the Big 12. I think they get it done, even in a potential letdown spot here.

  South Carolina vs. No. 11 Tennessee

Josh Heupel improved to 2-1 against Kalen DeBoer. (Photo by Roger Wimmer/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)

When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Where: Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, South Carolina
Line: South Carolina -2.5

Young: Tennessee
With George MacIntyre at quarterback and DeSean Bishop as the engine powering the Power T offense, the Volunteers look a lot like the 2024 version that made the College Football Playoff.

Litman: Tennessee
It’s never easy to win on the road in the SEC, but Tennessee ekes this one out against a rejuvenated South Carolina team coming off a bye.

Portnoy: South Carolina
Tennessee smoked Alabama last week, but I’m still not sure how good the Volunteers are. Williams-Brice has a tendency to bring weird results (See the 2022 meeting between these two teams for proof of as much). I’ll take Shane Beamer to further cool his hot seat.

  Minnesota vs. No. 15 Iowa

Minnesota is 1-8 against Iowa under P.J. Fleck. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (FS1)
Where: Huntington Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Line: Iowa -6.5

Young: Iowa
The Hawkeyes play a better version of smashmouth football offensively than the Golden Gophers do.

Litman: Iowa
The Hawkeyes continue their journey to a CFP berth in what’s become a wide open Big Ten.

Portnoy: Iowa
The Hawkeyes may have a quarterback decision to be made between Jeremy Hecklinski and Hank Brown, but they might finally have figured out the offense. Give me Kirk Ferentz’s bunch in this one.

  No. 19 Texas vs. No. 7 Ole Miss

Trinidad Chambliss threw for three touchdowns and ran for one more in Ole Miss’ win against Missouri in Week 8. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)

When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Where: DKR-Memorial Stadium, Austin, Texas
Line: Texas -3

Young: Ole Miss
Texas is one loss away from folding this season. The Rebels look like a team that could find their way into the SEC championship game.

Litman: Ole Miss
The Rebels will not miss this opportunity to beat a conference opponent when they’re already down. 

Portnoy: Ole Miss
Texas is in free-fall mode and there’s nothing I’ve seen from Arch Manning this year that makes me think he can win a quarterback duel with Trinidad Chambliss. I’ll take the Rebels in a high-scoring affair.

  Wisconsin vs. No. 16 USC

USC quarterback Jayden Maiava leads the Big Ten with 2,045 passing yards. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Where: Camp Randall Stadium, Austin, Texas
Line: USC -3

Young: USC
The Trojans are more talented offensively than Wisconsin.

Litman: USC
Head coach Lincoln Riley gets another Big Ten road win and keeps his team from looking ahead to next week’s showdown vs. Ohio State.

Portnoy: USC
Lincoln Riley has quietly built a bit of stability in recent weeks. A win over Wisconsin would go a long way before a Julian Sayin-less, uber-talented Ohio State team comes to L.A. next week.

  New Mexico vs. North Dakota State

Jason Eck is looking to lead New Mexico to a Mountain West championship in his second season as head coach. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)

When: Saturday, 10:00 p.m. ET (CW)
Where: University Stadium, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Line: New Mexico -4.5

Young: New Mexico
The Lobos have yet to lose to a Group of Six opponent this year, and the Bison got taken down by UNLV just a couple weeks ago.

Litman: North Dakota State
In a matchup between two one-loss Group of Six teams, the Bisons prevail behind veteran quarterback Nathan Hayes.

Portnoy: New Mexico
I’m all in on the Jason Eck experience. He’s expected to be one of the hottest candidates on the coaching carousel this offseason and for good reason. Lobos get it done against the efficiency machine that is North Dakota State.

  No. 10 Utah vs. No. 14 Houston

Utah head coach Morgan Scalley has the Utes as one of five remaining undefeated Power Four teams. (Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images)

When: Saturday, 10:15 p.m. ET (ABC)
Where: Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, Utah
Line: Utah -6.5

Young: Houston
The Cougars did something I did not think they were capable of against Oklahoma State: win a shootout. This, and Utah nearly dropped last week’s game to a two-win Colorado.

Litman: Houston
This is a tough one, but the Cougars get a massive win on the road behind sneaky Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback Conner Weigman.

Portnoy: Houston
Utah hasn’t had a chance to prove itself yet, but I’ve liked what I’ve seen from the Houston offense and Texas A&M reclamation project Conner Weigman. Willie Fritz has the Cougars riding high after last week’s huge victory over Oklahoma State. That momentum carries them in this one.

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There is no sugarcoating it: After an offseason in which he was widely predicted to be the No. 1 overall pick of the 2027 NFL Draft, Texas quarterback Arch Manning simply has not progressed as expected this season. 

Now, as I wrote in my latest NFL Draft QB Power Rankings, I still believe Manning would be a first-round pick in April if he were to turn pro. 

Whether he should be, however, is a different conversation. 

So, let’s have that conversation. Fair or not, Manning’s struggles (and those of the Texas Longhorns, as a whole) have become the biggest storyline in college football. This week, he surrendered first-team reps in practice and was nearly benched ahead of Texas’ showdown with Ole Miss. 

A deep dive into all of Manning’s college tape, as well as conversations with scouts watching him in person this fall, elucidate how he’s struggling and why his NFL draft stock might be tumbling.  

1.

Pressure Leads To Panic (And Turnovers)

To start, let’s talk about pressure. We’ll discuss the expectations that come with Manning simply due to his last name a bit later. That is the sort of pressure that comes off the field. The single biggest concern scouts have with Manning on the field is the alarming lack of poise he’s shown late in games, especially when the pocket is collapsing. 

Now, to be fair, the Longhorns have surrendered a lot of hits on their prized quarterback this season. Even the coolest of quarterbacks might struggle if sacked 17 times in just six games, as Manning has. A year ago, the Longhorns allowed 23 sacks over 13 games. 

Quarterbacks with Manning’s experience and tools, however, should be able to help his blockers and avoid more of those sacks. He’s not deciphering defenses prior to taking the snap as well as he should be, and too often he’s waiting in the pocket for receivers to break free, rather than scrambling himself. 

Manning is actually on pace to run more times this year than last, but he looks hesitant to leave the pocket in 2026 after being highly aggressive (and productive) a season ago. In 2025, Manning ran 92 times, generating 399 yards (4.3 yards per carry) and 10 touchdowns. He’s scrambled 49 times already this season but for just 108 yards (2.2 ypc) and no scores. 

Rather than taking advantage of his mobility (more on this later) Manning is waiting in the pocket. He doesn’t look patient there, however. He looks anxious and, frankly, a bit frenetic. 

This lack of anticipation and poise is leading to turnovers, whether it be Manning throwing the ball up for grabs or having it knocked out of his hands. This past Saturday was the latter, as Manning coughed up a game-sealing fumble in a home loss to Florida. 

2.

Where Did The Bootlegs Go?

As mentioned, one of the most exciting parts of Manning’s game is his dual-threat ability. He can be quite an effective scrambler, but let’s focus on his ability as a mobile passer for a moment. 

Quite the opposite of his relatively heavy-footed uncles Peyton and Eli, Arch (6-foot-4, 222 pounds) is a gifted athlete who is a real threat to scramble and throw on the run. This skill is especially important in the red zone, where dual-threat quarterbacks put an extra degree of stress on the defense. Manning has the athleticism, balance, quick release and velocity to be very effective in this area, and yet the Longhorns are inexplicably not featuring arguably his greatest strength. 

It’s even more surprising given that Manning’s mobility, whether as a runner or passer, was a key part of the Texas offense a year ago.

In 2025, several of Manning’s 26 touchdown tosses came on designed rollouts, including nearly half (four of nine) thrown inside the 10-yard line. Manning has thrown 11 touchdowns so far this season. None of them have come on designed rollouts to his right. 

Manning can only “run” the plays called, so perhaps this is more of a reflection on Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian’s playcalling than the inadequacies of the quarterback. 

NFL teams will make their own determinations on that front. 

3.

The Unforced Errors Are Increasing

Given that this is Manning’s fourth season of college football, it is easy for fans to forget that last year was Manning’s first as a full-time starter. Scouts won’t forget that fact, however. They weren’t overly concerned with some of the sandlot-style turnovers he produced in 2025. 

Take this one against San Jose State, for example. 

Thankfully, Manning isn’t making throws quite this egregious in his second season as a starter, but there is simply no denying that he continues to make silly mistakes. 

By now, it is likely that everyone reading has seen the two fourth-quarter interceptions he threw against rival Oklahoma. The first was a wild and desperate overthrow that turned into a pick-six.

The second one set up a game-winning field goal for the Sooners, so it deserves the most scorn. But, frankly, it was more of a bad decision than a bad throw. With a timeout remaining, Manning should have thrown the ball elsewhere or even taken the sack. Hit low by a blitzer, Manning couldn’t step into the throw and therefore didn’t deliver with his usual zip. A heads-up play by Oklahoma cornerback Courtland Guillory sealed the Longhorns’ fate. 

Manning was under significant duress on both plays, and we’ve already discussed how he’s melted under pressure at times this season. What is just as concerning is the fact that Manning now seems to have picked up the bad habit of simply lofting deep balls into double coverage. 

Three of Manning’s five interceptions so far this season were essentially arm punts, such as this one against Tennessee. 

NFL teams want quarterbacks willing to trust their receivers to go make plays on the ball, but wild overthrows are the kind of things that sink draft stock and, worse, put even highly-drafted QBs on the bench. 

4.

Four Years In, He’s Still Surprisingly Raw

Given his pedigree, it might surprise some to learn that Manning remains unrefined in terms of his passing technique and ability to read defenses. 

Let’s start at the base. Too often, Manning unnecessarily throws off-balance. Ideally, quarterbacks step into their throws, creating torque from the lower body and following through in one smooth motion that generates velocity and accuracy. 

Manning has a tendency to remain flat-footed and whip his arm. It results in a very quick release that is unusual for a taller, long-limbed passer, but also sporadic accuracy. He consistently hits his targets, but not often enough in stride or with the type of pinpoint accuracy that generates easy yards after the catch. This hinders trust from his pass-catchers, which is why the 33 drops (per Pro Football Focus) from Texas receivers since 2025 are as much of an indictment on Manning as they are his receivers. 

Urban Meyer on Arch Manning & Texas, Georgia, Ohio State vs Indiana | FULL INTERVIEW | The Herd

And it isn’t just Manning’s throwing technique. Lots of quarterbacks have succeeded with unique throwing motions. Philip Rivers is an eight-time Pro Bowler who might be enshrined in Canton one day, but he had as awkward of a throwing delivery as you’ll see. Throwing the ball effectively is an art, and each quarterback has his own style. 

But quality QBs need to be able to read defenses and throw with tempo and anticipation. There should be a consistency to their game. Manning, meanwhile, can be maddening with his decision-making. He’ll switch from Superman to Clark Kent and vice versa, taking highly aggressive deep shots into double-coverage at inopportune times and reverting to checkdowns at others.

The expectation many had for Manning was that he’d be a superstar prospect the moment he stepped onto the field for the Longhorns. That doesn’t give enough credit to opponents and the complexity of the quarterback position. 

While he’s 22 years old and has been in college for four seasons, Manning has only started a total of 21 games to this point. It feels worth noting that Peyton (45 starts) and Eli (37) started nearly twice as many games prior to entering the NFL. 

There is no denying that Arch Manning’s path to the NFL has been bumpier than expected. There are several areas in which he needs to improve. Sarkisian is concerned enough that he considered benching Manning this week while giving freshman KJ Lacey Jr. first-team reps as Texas prepares to play Ole Miss on Saturday. Standing on the opposite sideline will be the quarterback who has seemingly surged past Manning on draft boards across the NFL: Trinidad Chambliss.

But that’s a footnote, for now. Given Manning’s tenuous status just with the Longhorns, this game has become the biggest of his career. 

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