Under contract: Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham, Ehlinger<\/p>\n
Need scale (1-10): 2. Easily could have been a 1 on the scale, except teams are always in the market for quarterbacks. If you don\u2019t have one, you must find one. If you do have one, as the Broncos do in Nix, then you\u2019re in the business of developing your room and generating as many options as you can. Head coach Sean Payton always says he tells quarterbacks his job is to make them a lot of money. Plus, if a development model works, it can result in excess draft capital. So, even with Nix expected to be healthy and on the field for OTAs<\/a> in early June, Denver will want a quarterback for its rookie minicamp and perhaps as a practice squad type through training camp and the regular season.<\/p>\n Top Five Mendoza is about as surefire a No. 1 overall pick as they come. Any moment Denver spent working on him in recent months might as well be chalked up to advance scouting work, since he\u2019s going to be playing in the division with the Las Vegas Raiders. He\u2019s big, strong, competitive and smart. And set to learn in a Vegas ecosystem that includes new head coach Klint Kubiak, veteran Kirk Cousins and, of course, limited shareholder Tom Brady.<\/p>\n Ty Simpson, Alabama<\/p>\n When Simpson was good at Alabama, he was really good. The issue: He started just one year, was up-and-down a bit for the Crimson Tide in that season and overall has just 523 collegiate passes to his name. Bo Nix, by comparison, had 1,936. Simpson\u2019s a risk, but someone might be willing to roll the dice in the back half of the first round.<\/p>\n Nothing against Nussmeier, but this is a good draft year to not need a quarterback. Even teams that do besides the Raiders must be at least quietly considering punting until what looks to be a loaded 2027 class. Nussmeier\u2019s best year was 2024 and he was limited to nine games last fall by injury.<\/p>\n Carson Beck, Miami<\/p>\n Beck decided to play in college in 2025 after a 2024 elbow injury and he turned in an admirable lone season with the Hurricanes, leading them to the national title game and throwing 30 TDs vs. 12 INTs. In five years at Georgia and one at Miami, Beck completed 69.5% of his passes.<\/p>\n Drew Allar, Penn State<\/p>\n Allar has prototypical size, tantalizing arm strength and\u2026 well, hit-and-miss production. His best collegiate year was 2024 and, had he parlayed that into a major jump forward, might have rocketed up boards. Instead, Allar played in just six games and has a 63.2% career completion rate. A project, though one with considerable tools.<\/p>\n Broncos options Payton, like Simpson, is a long-time collegiate quarterback who started just one year. Earlier in his career with the Bison, Payton was used extensively as a runner. In his lone year as a starter, he averaged just 17 attempts per game. But, to use what is perhaps already an overworked comparison, he\u2019s got some Taysom Hill to his game. And, well, that makes a Sean Payton-coached team an intriguing option.<\/p>\n Altmyer\u2019s experienced and productive, having started three years at Illinois after transferring from Ole Miss. He\u2019s got experience with Denver WR Pat Bryant and helped guide the Illini from 5-7 his first year to 10-3 in 2024 and 9-4 last year. One issue: Sean Payton believes a QB who gets sacked a lot in college is likely to get sacked a lot in the pros, and Altmyer took 30-plus three straight years. Still, an interesting developmental player.<\/p>\n Athan Kaliakmanis, Rutgers<\/p>\n
\nFernando Mendoza, Indiana<\/p>\n![\"Garrett](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2240651659.jpg\")
Garrett Nussmeier of the Louisiana State Tigers throws against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Tiger Stadium on October 11, 2025 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Michael DeMocker\/Getty Images)
\nGarrett Nussmeier, LSU<\/p>\n
\nCole Payton, North Dakota State<\/p>\n![\"Illinois](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/AP23247072337295.jpg\")
Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer passes during a game against Toledo on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo\/Charles Rex Arbogast)
\nLuke Altmyer, Illinois<\/p>\n
![\"Taylen](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2247986312.jpg\")
Taylen Green of the Arkansas Razorbacks passes the ball during the first half against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 22, 2025 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz\/Getty Images)