The 2026 NFL Draft quarterback prospects are up next, and what a class it is. This year’s class features a mix of well-known names and a few that deserve a re-introduction. My colleague Cooper Girolamo put his spin on the QBs, and I liked what he had to say. But make no mistake, this isn’t about hype, headlines or who’s trending. It’s about performance, projection and who can play the position at the next level. This is quarterback evaluation the way it should be: grounded in tape, stats and context, not reputation. No shortcuts. No agendas. Just real analysis for the fans who care, and scouts who know what to look for.
2026 NFL Draft Quarterbacks
There are a million ways to list and rank these guys. But, there’s no crystal ball to show you what their production would be, years from now. However, there are some traits that coaches look for in their starting QBs that come out of college.
QB traits
- Winner: Can this QB execute, no matter the climate or situation? Ideally, coaches want a QB that’s won 23 games or more. It screams competitor.
- Baseline knowledge: Is this QB fresh in the key areas or have they been though a developmental phase in college?
- Starts: This displays a form of consistency to coaches, it says that this QB can be counted on. A good benchmark is 30 starts.
- College graduate: This shows a coach that a QB can balance many responsibilities as a player, and see things to completion.
- 2:1 touchdown to interception ratio: Can this QB take care of the ball? It’s important to understand that interceptions will happen. Coaches want their QB to remain on the plus side of the equation.
- 60 percent completion or more: This comes down to how efficient a QB can be. Coaches want to know that a QB can execute at a high rate, even when incomplete passes happen, because they will.
Although ideal in a perfect world, an organization may still draft a QB that they feel can develop into the player that they need. This should be treated as a baseline across the board.
Top 5
Carson Beck
I have Beck No. 1 for many reasons. He’s seasoned, and people often forget that he was slated as the No. 1 guy going into 2024. Beck is a winner, flat out. Talent wise, he is gifted as well. In recent clips, Beck looks better than where he was last season before his injury. He has a sturdy frame and his mechanics are more polished.
Garrett Nussmeier
I have Nussmeier at two because he is less mobile than Beck, but has the best arm in the country. Being a coach’s son doesn’t give any of my QBs brownie points. Nussmeier is a competitor in the SEC, often labeled as the toughest conference to play in.
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Cade Klubnik
Klubnik is at No. 3 because I need to see him get off to a faster start and maintain the success from last season. Can he do it again? I like his skills set and believe in his ability.
Drew Allar
Allar is still one of those guys that knows how to protect the ball. He’s at No. 4 because I need to see more consistency and more use of his legs. He will go in the draft, so I don’t ever doubt that.
Sam Leavitt
Leavitt is a playmaker, there is no other way to put it. I have him at five because He’s young and is still going through a phase of development. This was his first year as a starter, and they had a great run, almost beating Texas in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal. I want to see how he handles coming down from that success and staring the process over again. Can he maintain and elevate?
There are a couple of guys not mentioned here due to the possibility of staying in school to finish their degree, and having a small sample size of body of work. Remember, this isn’t a popularity contest.
Analysis
Carson Beck
Weakness
- Footwork: can be erratic at times, throws off pace and accuracy.
- Mobility: capable, needs to use his legs more. This will eliminate the turnovers.
- Deep pass consistency: needs to be more aggressive and consistent. He has the arm for it.
Strengths
- Mechanics: compact with a fast release of 2.38 seconds.
- Pocket presence: calm, cool and collected in chaos. He will stand in the fire to deliver the ball.
- Experience: previous SEC starter, played from shotgun and under center.
Best scheme fit: Pro-style
Comparison: Jared Goff
Garrett Nussmeier
Weakness
- Mobility: causes unnecessary sacks.
- Deep pass accuracy: strongest arm in college football, needs to be more consistent.
- Turnovers: gunslinger mentality, needs to take what the defense gives.
Strengths
- Anticipation: excellent and on point.
- IQ/ progressions: solid processor and expert of his system.
- Toughness: will take a hit to deliver the ball, will attempt to run for tough yards.
Best scheme fit: West Coast
Comparison: Brock Purdy
Cade Klubnik
Weakness
- Arm strength: too much air on the ball, legs also play a part. There is power left on his back leg that has to transfer forward.
- Frame: needs more muscle to remain durable. Especially with his play style.
- Consistency in chaos: gets rattled sometimes, needs to control the pace of the game.
Strengths
- Touch on throws: difficult skill for a QB to master, but he has it down to a science. The ball goes where it is supposed to.
- Anticipation: throws his guys open and doesn’t wait to see them get open to throw it. Open in the NFL is different from open in college.
- Mobility: dynamic . When he is on, he’s on.
Best scheme fit: RPO based, QB designed runs
Comparison: Baker Mayfield
Drew Allar
Weakness
- Footwork/pace: allows pressure to cause him to make mistakes that he typically wouldn’t.
- Make the simple throws: will overlook the easy throw to make the big throw. Needs to switch this.
- Balance: tendency to drift when he doesn’t have to.
Strengths
- Progressions: adept with getting through his reads.
- Ball protection: the best at keeping the ball, and staying on the plus side of touchdowns to turnovers.
- Arm strength: notable, there isn’t one throw that he cant’t make. Defenses pay a heavy price for coverage mistakes.
Best scheme fit: Pro-style
Comparison: Joe Flacco
Sam Leavitt
Weakness
- Release: needs his feet under him for his arm to be in sync.
- Speed: not the fastest, but that can always be worked on.
- Sample size of games: first-year starter, I think he’ll be just fine.
Strengths
- Ball security: doesn’t put the ball in harms way very often. This is a good trait for such a young QB.
- Arm strength: cannon for an arm, stretches the field.
- Processing: forward thinker that has a solution for almost every situation.
Best scheme fit: Vertical attack
Comparison: JJ McCarthy
Final remarks
First, I want to give a round of applause to these talented student athletes. You guys balance a lot of things and still have to show up as your best self everyday. Secondly, you are one step closer to making a childhood dream come true. Time will tell how great you can be on the field, despite what any scout or analyst says. I’m excited about seeing where this class of signal callers go. They are the select few that get to play the game that they have always loved.
