Football season is nearly upon us, camps are in full swing, and everyone’s hopeful their team can go all the way. With that being said, I’m already looking ahead to the 2026 NFL Draft cycle! I’m here to give you my favorite players with each position group, starting with the quarterbacks!
NOTE: I’m going with the plan that Arch Manning is NOT going to declare for the 2026 NFL Draft, and as I chatted with our community in our Discord chat, it seems like we are all thinking the same thing. The reason I believe it is because not only family history, but he has plenty to prove. He’s looked good in limited action, but unless he sets records and wins the Natty, I doubt he has a reason to leave college yet.
FIRST LOOK: 2026 NFL Draft Quarterbacks
Tier 1: Players I Feel STRONGLY About
#1 LaNorris Sellers – South Carolina
Sellers does a good job with touch, timing, and accuracy, but he also could use some offensive line help. He’s got enough burst to be able to move the pocket if the line breaks down, and he has enough speed to be able to extend the play with his legs as well. I could see him as QB1 or QB2 in this draft, and I’d even say he’d be that if he came out in 2025 as well.
#2 Garrett Nussmeier – LSU
He’s got an interesting throwing motion, but when you watch him play, this dude can sling it! He’s not afraid to take shots and does a solid job putting the ball in a place where only his receiver can get it. On tape, I’d say he’s not as athletic as Sellers. However, I have zero concerns with Garrett’s athletic profile. He should have no issue being allowed to lead an NFL franchise next season.
Tier 2: Solid with upside players
#3 Drew Allar – PSU
He’s my Jaxson Dart of this draft; he’s definitely got round one potential, but I want to see a little more this season to feel good scooting him into the top 15 of the class. Big arm, pretty prototypical pocket passer, and not afraid to take shots, he will have some teams interested for sure.
#4 Cade Klubnik – Clemson
I definitely like this player’s willingness to stand in the pocket and take the hit, if it means he can ball to his desired receiver. He’s got a good, not great, arm, at least from the games I watched. The deep shots didn’t always look as accurate, but his short to intermediate throws looked on point and in good position for his receivers. This is still earlier in my draft process, so I expect my thoughts to change as I get more film time in.
#5 Sam Leavitt – Arizona State
Leavitt could make a case for moving up this list with a strong showing in 2025, though with what I’ve watched thus far, I’m still working through his deep ball placement. Is it him? Is it his wideouts? Having a potential first-round prospect in Tyson, this is definitely a year that you could say could make or break his draft stock.
Tier 3: Dart throws with potential
#6 Fernando Mendoza – Indiana
I haven’t gotten to watch as much of Mendoza yet but have him here because I love the direction of the IU program, and thought Rourke would have a chance to make it in the NFL as well, and I think Mendoza looks like a better prospect from what I hvzae seen, big TBD and needs to show out in 2025.
#7 – Carson Beck – Miami (FL)
Beck’s had chances to make a name for himself, and things just have not panned out. This will be the last chance to make a case that he deserves to be drafted. I would expect, even if he winds up being a UDFA, that some team will bring him in for a look during the OTAs and training camp. He’s got some dawg in him, has the athletic tools and requisite arm talent to make it, but can he put it all together in 2025?
Tier 4: Players with some tools I like but am not confident about
#8 Kyron Drones – Virginia Tech
#9 Sawyer Robertson – Baylor
#10 John Mateer – Oklahoma
Thanks for Stopping By!
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