Way too early look at the 2026 QB class

Yeah, I was referring to Stockton being a bit undersized. Mateer lacks height, but his build is good. Someone drafting him is doing so in the mold of Jalen Hurts. He might be a decent option, I know he dealt with injuries, but I also know that guys of his style of play aren't often successful in the NFL either. Doesn't mean he can't, but he is a decent sized risk and we'd have to commit to developing him.

Still, I am not sure that we are able to get to "the guy" we want without a massive trade up into the top 10 (unless the guy we want is Sellers, where maybe he can be had at our pick). Are any of the second tier of QB's as good or better than what we think we may have in Howard? Idk. The team needs more than just a QB, and if we aren't 100% sold on it, I am fine punting on the QB this year to get more high end players to fill out the roster and then look to the 2027 class. We have a lot to do this offseason and it might be for the best to cut some of the fat, trade a few players that have value (but not long term), and draft as many quality non-QB's as we can in the 26 draft. Take our chances with Howard and a new coach in 26 and then determine if a QB is needed in 27. It sucks thinking about potentially having a non-competitive team in 26, but it may have to happen if we want to field a high caliber team in the future.

 

Yes. The man has a 600 pound leg press. He is similar to Hurts in height and build.

I agree trading up to get Mendoza or Simpson will be too costly.


We have a retired in his mind Rodgers, and a career back up in Rudolph. This is a reason why I want Howard to start at least two games.

Neither Rodgers or Rudy is playing well right now and this team has lost 4 of its last six so ...


I like Stockton's play so far, but his sample size is a bit small. I like him in round two right now. If he has a hot playoffs then maybe round one for us as he will be gone before we pick in round two.

In the NFL you must have the right head coach and QB.

 

Not too early now...

 

The only thing to remember is that guys like Mateer or Stockton is that their upside is real, but it comes at a high risk.... Even someone like Jackson or Daniels are different, because Jackson is just an elite threat with his legs and Daniels was a high end passer as well. Stockton seems like an ok runner and ok passer. I doubt he comes out. I don't think he's ranked in the top 15 QB's in the class, and might not get drafted at all.

If we aren't going for one of the high end players in the draft, I think that we should pass on the position in its entirety and try again the year after. I'd prefer to roll with Howard for a year (who I like as much or more than a lot of the "second tier" QB's in the draft anyways. We're more than a QB away, and we could significantly improve this team with a high quality draft in 2026 at positions other than QB.

 

Stockton is expected to return to Georgia in 2026.

 

With the amout of money some QB are making in college it beats a 2nd round NFL pick. I am sure most guy will get financial advice to stay.

 

Not a good game for Ty Simpson against Georgia in the SEC Championship Game.

 

Perhaps not but that still doesnt push him out of Top 10 Discussion; much less the First Round. I would still draft him even with the issues. That said and, as I have said before, I dont think he will be declaring anyhow.


Likely will return to school.

 

If he returns this QB class is cursed. Moore is the clear cut #1 in my opinion. Mendoza is meh to me, but will go early. I think he has the lowest ceiling of the top end QB's. We better pass on this year's QB class. We'd have to trade the farm for a realistic shot at someone decent. I can't stress enough how much I hate this year's class. If Simpson, Moore, or both go back to school, then we simply shouldn't be drafting a QB in the first at all.

 

Unless you go for Mendoza none of these QBs look better than Howard, including Simpson.

Roll with Howard and build out the roster.

 

lol

I'll never understand this love affair fans have with a 5th round backup QB.

 

Actually a 6th round pick. Hey, if we clinch early let's get his feet wet. There are quite a few 1st round busts as well.

 

Id rather trade up for a blue chip defensive player; ideally Peter Woods or even Sonny Styles. After the B1G Game?! Sonny is my new Number One ranked on my board. Dude is legit damn good.



Closest sure fire player I have had ranked since Quenton Nelson. If anything, if Styles is within striking distance?! To hell with the position. Sonny is as close to a HOF Level Player this draft has. Peter Woods, Arvell Reese and Caleb Downs are as well but not as close as Styles is.

 

I really don't want to draft another QB until Tomlin is gone.

 

Statistically the most successful QB's are first round picks, and usually in the top half. There is just too much tape and data on these guys.

 

Dumb.

If a guy is there you take him.

 

I'd love Styles. Styles is more in the vein of a true ILB than Reese (who I see more as another Micah Parsons-like player). He plays the pass like he's Ryan Shazier, though he's taller and bigger and not quite as explosive or fast (though, he's very explosive for his size). He'd be a huge win for us, though I could see us go a number of ways with this pick. Styles could potentially be around when we draft, though he may need to be traded up for as well.

Styles, a game changer on the DL, or someone like Downs would be massive for our defense. I still think we could go WR offensively, but if we go defense its gotta be DL, ILB, or CB

 

I'm not so sure that Mendoza looks much better than Howard either tbh. Moore is my favorite of this class (by a good bit), but I'd probably prefer to wait until next year regardless. I'm not sure any of these guys are worth mortgaging the future for, and we'd have to give up a ton to get in range for any of these guys.

Dante Moore - He kinda reminds me of Stroud or Love. He has a great deep ball and can do a lot on his own. He's QB1 by a country mile to me

Fernando Mendoza - He's somewhere between Andy Dalton and Kirk Cousins for me. Or like Jared Goff with a worse arm. He seems to be the most system locked of the three (he's probably a west coast/rpo type guy only), and I think he has the least raw talent of the three. Doesn't mean he can't be good, but I think his ceiling is relatively low compared to the others

Ty Simpson - I think Darnold is a fair comparison. Idk. We haven't seen a ton of him yet (and he might be best to return to school, though he would have to have a huge year to improve on his draft stock with a loaded class next year), but what we have seen has been pretty good. His ceiling is intriguing and I think he is probably the most pro-ready of the bunch (oddly enough).

I am also on the "roll with Howard" team. Not because I think he's some stud in waiting, but because we will either find out he's good and build around him... or we find out he isn't the guy and we will draft high enough in 2027 to get "the guy".

 

The right decision for Sellers he needs better coaching in 2026 South Carolina hired a new OC.

 

Mendoza is QB1 in this class but unfortunately the Steelers won't have a shot at him.

 

He would been one of my choice if it was possible to have him

 

Anthony Richardson 2.0