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Quincy Milton III ranks the top 10 NFL Draft quarterback prospects and predicts their landing spots. Which teams need a QB the most in the upcoming draft?
The 2026 draft class of quarterbacks is quite light on talent. In the world of NIL, many quarterbacks are choosing to return to college rather than enter the pros. Presumptive No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza is the only obvious first-round selection. After Mendoza, Carson Beck, and Ty Simpson project as potential starters, but neither is a lock.
While there aren't too many clear-cut prospects in this year's draft, there are also not many teams with a glaring need at quarterback. As such, some of this year's prospects could enter a situation in which they will be afforded time to learn behind a veteran before getting a shot at the starting job in the future. That is never a guarantee, but it is more of a possibility this year than it is in others.
Perhaps some of this year's prospects will surprise us. A year ago, Garrett Nussmeier and Drew Allar were considered high-end prospects, only for disappointing 2025 seasons to drop them down the board. Talent like that does not just go away, and both players could find themselves in positive situations sooner rather than later. With a very unpredictable quarterback draft ahead, let's dive in and see who might fit in what spots.
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No. 10: Diego Pavia - Minnesota Vikings
Now here is a dark-horse quarterback prospect. Diego Pavia finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting in 2025 after a stellar season at Vanderbilt. Yet, Pavia is hardly receiving any NFL Draft buzz. He is a smaller quarterback at just 5-foot-10, but he has talent that could be fostered in the right situation.
Perhaps Kevin O'Connell could work his magic with Pavia as a late-round pick or even an undrafted free agent. The team has a precarious quarterback situation with Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy in the fold, but Pavia could be a nice insurance policy for any unforeseen circumstances.
No. 9: Luke Altmyer - Detroit Lions
Luke Altmyer is a pocket passer who will look to be a cerebral winner in the NFL. He put forth a solid season in 2025 with 3,007 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and five interceptions. His QBR also ranked 14th in the nation. The guy can ball.
The Lions could use some depth at quarterback. They have Teddy Bridgewater as their backup, but Altmyer fits this scheme with a profile relatively similar to starter Jared Goff's.
No. 8: Cade Klubnik - New York Jets
Cade Klubnik is another example of a quarterback everyone thought would be the talk of the town in 2024. Unfortunately, Klubnik's production fell off a cliff in 2025. His interceptions remained low, but he tossed 20 fewer touchdowns, and his passing yardage fell by nearly 700 yards.
With this article projecting the Jets to look more at next year's draft for a quarterback, Klubnik could be a fit here as a late-round selection. He clearly has talent, as evidenced by his 2024 season.
Geno Smith is the Jets quarterback as of now, but do we really expect him to hold onto the job all season long? Klubnik would be a solid developmental piece for this perpetually rebuilding team.
No. 7: Cole Payton - Atlanta Falcons
Cole Payton is an absolute tank of a quarterback at 6-foot-3, 233 lbs. As another North Dakota State University product, Payton will look to make a name for himself in the NFL. He was not overly productive in his lone season as a starter in 2025, but he possesses intangibles that will make NFL coaches salivate.
With no true answer at quarterback, a team like the Falcons could be a prime destination for Payton. While he would not have a chance to compete right away, Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. are not exactly runaways for the starting job for the full season.
No. 6: Drew Allar - Carolina Panthers
Allar brings up the rear after a disappointing season at Penn State that saw his season end after six games due to an ankle injury. Had he taken a step forward following solid 2023 and 2024 seasons, he might be pushing for a first-round selection. Instead, Allar is likely to be a late-round pick.
Insert Carolina, who is not completely sold on incumbent starter Bryce Young quite yet. Allar would be a low-risk, low-reward selection for the Panthers, who also have Kenny Pickett on the roster. He could develop into a quality backup or potentially see some game time if Young falters.
No. 5: Garrett Nussmeier - Los Angeles Rams
Nussmeier was a Belle of the Ball just a year ago. Things have drastically changed. Nussmeier's passing yard and passing touchdown numbers fell by more than half from 2024 to 2025 in a season to forget for LSU. The program seemed to be unstable, which suggests that Nussmeier may be able to salvage a career in the NFL.
The Rams present an interesting landing spot for Nussmeier. Matthew Stafford has entered the will-he-won't-he stage of his career, and there is no obvious succession plan in place.
Imagine a player with the talent of Nussmeier getting to learn from Stafford and head coach Sean McVay for a year. With an already well-rounded roster, the Rams could pounce with the No. 29 selection in the third round.
No. 4: Taylen Green - Baltimore Ravens
Taylen Green is a mystery in this year's draft. He was not a prolific passer in college, having never thrown for more than 19 touchdowns in five seasons. However, Green is a superb athlete who can get a lot done with his legs. He is quite a raw talent, but he would be a nice developmental addition for teams in the middle rounds.
WOW. @RazorbackFB QB Taylen Green with a 4.37u.
2026 NFL Combine on @nflnetwork
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/60dbFCVSAx— NFL (@NFL) February 28, 2026
Green is a nice fit in Baltimore, where he can develop as a backup to incumbent starter Lamar Jackson. Baltimore was interested in drafting Shedeur Sanders in 2025, and the team seems to have a new backup every year. Tyler Huntley fills that role for now, but Green brings a skill set similar to Jackson that could intrigue the Ravens.
No. 3: Carson Beck - Arizona Cardinals
Carson Beck is chock-full of college experience. Not only has he appeared in a lot of games, but he has also been at the forefront of teams making deep runs in the College Football Playoff. From an experience perspective, Beck is about as NFL-ready as they come.
His talent, on the other hand, is widely debated. Beck has played behind some very talented offensive lines, and his numbers have been remarkably consistent for three years running. There just seems to be some time missing. Still, this is a player who could go on Day 2 and make a legitimate push for a starting job. Arizona is a solid landing spot for him.
No. 2: Ty Simpson - Pittsburgh Steelers
As the consensus No. 2 quarterback in this draft, Ty Simpson seems to have only a few possible destinations. The question is, where will he go in this draft?
For this exercise, let's slot Simpson to the Steelers at No. 21. With only 15 collegiate starts under his belt, Pittsburgh is a solid landing spot for Simpson, given that he would likely be able to learn behind Aaron Rodgers or another veteran for a year.
Simpson's other possible landing spots include teams like the Jets or Cardinals. However, the Jets seem more poised to wait and find a quarterback in the class of 2027, and we've already slotted Beck to the Cardinals. Additionally, Simpson could go in Round 1 or slip further down the board. Right now, predicting his slot in the draft is quite difficult.
No. 1: Fernando Mendoza - Las Vegas Raiders
In the worst-kept secret of the draft, Fernando Mendoza will be taken No. 1 overall by the Raiders. The Raiders have already positioned themselves to support Mendoza's development by shoring up the offensive line and hiring a quality offensive head coach in Klint Kubiak.
The Raiders are getting a highly talented prospect in Mendoza. Mendoza possesses fantastic processing skills and great leadership traits. He also enjoyed a special season in 2025, throwing for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns, and six interceptions as the Indiana Hoosiers won a national championship.
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