After the New York Jets hired Frank Reich as their offensive coordinator for the 2026 season, we took a closer look at the type of quarterbacks he has succeeded with and free-agent QBs who fit that mold.

Looking ahead to April’s NFL draft, here are two signal-callers in this year’s draft class who fit that bill.

Sawyer Robertson, Baylor

Sawyer Robertson, 23, spent three seasons at Baylor (2023-25) after kicking off his college career in 2021 at Mississippi State.

In 2025, he completed 60.3% of his passing attempts for 3,681 yards (7.3 yards per attempt), 31 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He led Baylor to a 5-7 record while earning second-team All-Big 12 honors.

When you turn on the tape, the first thing that jumps out is his arm strength.

Robertson has a very strong arm and is able to drive the ball downfield. He also has a very quick release and can fit passes through tight windows at all three levels.

The 23-year-old ranked third among FBS signal-callers in touchdowns and sixth in passing yards for the 2025 season.

He can also cause havoc in the rushing game. Over the past two seasons, Robertson has totaled 481 rushing yards and seven touchdowns across 82 attempts. In 2024, his 6.6 rushing yards per attempt were 11th among 98 qualified FBS QBs.

Ranked 150th overall on Mock Draft Database’s consensus big board, Robertson will be a late-round developmental flier with a strong arm in April’s NFL draft.

At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, Robertson checks many of the physical boxes that Reich has historically preferred in a quarterback: prototypical size, the arm strength to push the ball downfield, and the comfort operating from the pocket.

Drew Allar, Penn State

In my opinion, Drew Allar is the most intriguing developmental quarterback likely to be available on Day 3 of this year’s draft.

After the 2024 season, Allar’s draft stock was higher than ever, as he was one of college football’s best signal-callers that year.

He ranked seventh among qualified FBS QBs (minimum 450 dropbacks) in completion percentage (66.5%) and sixth in yards per attempt (8.4) and passer rating (104.5), leading Penn State to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff, where they were knocked off 27-24 by Notre Dame, who ultimately won the National Championship Game.

Instead of declaring for the NFL draft, though, Allar decided to return to Penn State for his junior season.

Drew Allar had a couple of really impressive throws climbing the pocket, adjusting his arm slot and hitting back side routes for Penn State against Oregon. First throw is just insane, a must-have throw while he’s escaping a sack.

Second throw: beautifully layered to Warren. pic.twitter.com/QaokimhnvN

— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) December 9, 2024

And then disaster struck.

In Week 6 of the 2025 NCAA season, while playing against Northwestern, he broke his left ankle, ending his season.

Prior to the injury, not only was he receiving first-round buzz, but the 21-year-old was in the conversation to be the first quarterback off the board in April.

At 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds, with one of the strongest arms in the class, Allar checks many of the boxes Reich has historically valued.

For a team looking to take a late-round swing at quarterback, he offers the size, arm talent, and upside that make the gamble worthwhile.

Ranked No. 157 overall on the consensus big board, Allar is a name to watch in the later rounds if the Jets opt to pair a developmental prospect with a veteran QB this offseason.