Titans replace Will Levis with the biggest name in college football in early 2026 NFL mock draft

It's way too early for 2026 NFL mock drafts -- heck, it's too early for 2025 mock drafts -- but that hasn't stopped a few 2026 mock drafts from already popping up. 

DraftCountdown.com's Shane Hallam, a longtime NFL draft analyst, released a 2026 NFL mock draft earlier this month and he has the Tennessee Titans making an interesting selection. 

Hallam predicts that the Titans will select Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning with the No. 7 overall pick. 

Manning, despite the fact that he's never started a game in college (he'll serve as the backup to Quinn Ewers in his second season at Texas this fall), possesses the most recognizable name in college football thanks to his famous last name. 

Hallam's prediction that Tennessee will draft Manning in 2026 assumes a couple of things. For starters, it would mean that Manning performed at a high level as a starter for one season at Texas (assuming he doesn't get a chance to start in 2024 with Ewers returning). It would also mean that the Will Levis era didn't go well for the Titans. 

It's far too early to make any judgements about the Levis era. I've been critical at times of Levis, but it's important to remember that he played for four different offensive coordinators over his last four college seasons (split between Penn State and Kentucky). And Levis, who is entering his second season as a pro, will be playing under his second offensive coordinator in the NFL this fall. That's not exactly a recipe for success for any quarterback. 

Levis hasn't had a chance to get "settled" since entering college football in 2018. With Brian Callahan, an offensive minded coach, taking over as the Titans' head coach, Levis should be set up for success over the next several seasons. 

Titans fans should hope that Hallam's Manning prediction doesn't come to fruition. The best case scenario for the Callahan era in Nashville is Levis becoming a franchise quarterback and thriving in Callahan's offensive system. 

For now, there's no reason to think that won't be the case. The Titans have done a great job this offseason of setting Levis up for success thanks to some savvy additions by general manager Ran Carthon (like signing wide receiver Calvin Ridley, for example). There's plenty of reason for optimism when it comes to the idea of Levis becoming a star in the NFL. 

The idea of a Manning playing in Nashville is fun, but I'm not sure it's the best scenario for the Titans.