2026 NFL Draft: Quarterback Class

[bksballer89]

 

[WNY_FOOTBALL_DUDE]

 

[HuskerOC]

Not a single QB in this class I would draft.

Mendoza needs protection, and has serious mobility problems and high end sackable. Feel he is a slow blinker with decisions skills at the next level that catch up and he becomes a turnover machine.

Simpson has electric physical ability, but a poor decision maker, and is not accurate. Makes way too many bad throws into trouble in the college ranks. Only gets worse in the NFL.

If desperate, I'd stab at Klubnik Reminds me a bit of Bo Nix as being an athletic guy that can evade pressure and create passing lanes for not being an optimal size QB.

6th round him at best. Complete pass on any other. Worst QB class in a while.

 

[Edonidd]

From what I saw Mendoza doesn't have the arm to get a contested throw to a WR. Open receivers will be covered because the defenders have time to recover. Covered receivers will be interceptions. I just dont see it.

 

[Hotel Security]

>Not a single QB in this class I would draft.

I kind of agree. I don't dislike the class but every one of them gives a "meh" feeling. I'm sure a few will end up being good but hell if you can tell which one it'll be.

 

[Clayton]

It wouldn't be a hot take if this was said a few months back before Simpsons issues at the end of the season and Mendoza won the championship. Simpson did kinda start the season out better. For me I'm seeing:

Mendoza = Nick Foles
Simpson = Andy Dalton

One guy shows up for the big game and the other doesn't but they're both just kinda alright as prospects. I'm sure this will age like milk but I wouldn't be stunned if they went pick 1 and pick 2 and were just kinda alright.

 

[dtgold88]

I still think the rams draft Simpson with their second 1st round pick.

we shall see

does make sense and can see it.......can also see my team IF they love the kid enough and more than what they have (not some crazy notion) taking him at 24 if he's there.

Also able to sit him a season behind Watson....yeah, I said it.

 

[dtgold88]

>Not a single QB in this class I would draft.

I kind of agree. I don't dislike the class but every one of them gives a "meh" feeling. I'm sure a few will end up being good but hell if you can tell which one it'll be.

There will be some fans who think they know but reality is no fans know. To be fair, how could we. Elite of elite FOs watch hundreds of hours of tape, even tape WITH the QBs to see what they see. Talk to their family, coaches, teammates, etc. And they miss all the time.

Still fun to discuss.

and I think you are right. "Someone" in this class will end up being a quality starter at least. Is it Mendoza, Simpson or someone else? Who knows?

 

[WNY_FOOTBALL_DUDE]

 

[WNY_FOOTBALL_DUDE]

Carson Beck

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

Simpson = Andy Dalton

Clayton, you have no idea of the hell you just unleashed!!!

 

[cwalke3408]

Let me first off by saying, I wasn't able to do my annual draft discussion last year because I got the flu.

Per NFL Mock Draft Database:

FIRST ROUND
1. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana - 22 years old, 6'5, 225 pounds
2. Ty Simpson, Alabama - 23 years old, 6'2, 208 pounds

THIRD ROUND
3. Garrett Nussmeier, Louisiana State - 24 years old, 6'1, 205 pounds

WILDCARDS
Drew Allar, Penn State - 22 years old (at the time of the draft), 6'5, 235 pounds
Carson Beck, Miami of Florida - 23 years old, 6'4, 225 pounds
Cole Payton, North Dakota State - 22-23 years old, 6'3, 233 pounds

Mendoza is going to be the 1st overall pick and a Las Vegas Raider, unless he pulls an Eli Manning on us. We all know what happened during the 2025-2026 College Football season: The Indiana Hoosiers completed a historic dream season, going 16-0. Mendoza won the Heisman and was named the Offensive MVP for the National Championship game.

For the conversation here, the discussion begins with who goes AFTER Mendoza. Simpson is seen as QB2. He spent his first three seasons doing backup duties, and really only had one season worthy of resume work. Nussmeier had a strong 2024-2025 season, going 9-4 as a starter and passed for just over 4k yards and scored 32 touchdowns (29 passing) to 12 interceptions. In 2025, he only played 9 games, got hurt (abdominal), and ended up being benched. However, at the Senior Bowl this year, he was named the MVP of the game.

What are your thoughts on the 2026 Draft class? We will get into more details as we go through.

Listed Nuss, Allar and Payton but no Klubnik ?!

 

[Xeliou66]

Listed Nuss, Allar and Payton but no Klubnik ?!

Allar and Klubnik are about the same in my book - I have no idea why a team would waste a pick on either of them, neither were that good in college and there’s nothing that stands out about them.

 

[cwalke3408]

Allar and Klubnik are about the same in my book - I have no idea why a team would waste a pick on either of them, neither were that good in college and there’s nothing that stands out about them.

As former 5 stars, they both have the tools but lack the production.
There will be a team out there that will take a flyer on them

 

[cwalke3408]

I am going to start the ball rolling with Cole Payton from ND State.

One-year starter, went 12-1, duel threat QB: Had 29 TDs (13 rushing) to only 4 INTs.

- As a passer
- As a runner


But then again there's Taylen Green in the same class

 

[DJ "I'm blessed" Fieri]

- As a passer
- As a runner
View attachment 422803

But then again there's Taylen Green in the same class

Green did really well at the combine.

 

[Anointed One]

In my non-biased opinion, the Raiders should keep Geno Smith and develop Drew Allar.

I feel they should just trade down and stock pile picks... They need a lot of help... I'm just not sold on Mendoza... Just ride with Geno this year...

 

[WNY_FOOTBALL_DUDE]

Listed Nuss, Allar and Payton but no Klubnik ?!

NFL Mock Draft Database has Klubnick going around the 198th pick. That's well beyond the top 100 range.

 

[Snow Roach]

Man, what a major letdown year for QBs. It felt like back in August there were decently high hopes for this class (Klubnik, Allar, Manning, etc.) but it just kinda fell apart. Hopefully next year's will hold up better.

 

[shopson67]

Green did really well at the combine.

position change incoming