The 2026 QB class - as seen in April 2025

I searched for 2026 QB rankings from just after last year's draft. I went with the first national article I found, which was from SI and a full first round mock draft. This is to show the unreliability of the "wait until next year's class" approach. A couple of surprises, but overall the result is what I expected. I'll post each first round QB and the writeup. I don't think we can post links from SI but the biggest surprises to me were that they passed over the idea of Manning coming out, and that Mendoza was a first rounder (ironically to the Steelers) since I don't remember hearing anyone consider him a first rounder until well into the college season. This draft had a lot of great talent available at 21 such as Tate, Love, Bain Jr, Styles, Fano, Thieneman. Goes to show how unrealistic it is to be counting on the 2027 draft today.

3. New York Jets
Drew Allar, QB, Penn State Nittany Lions
After signing Justin Fields, it’s clear the Jets could be in the market for a new signal-caller to build the franchise around in 2026. Allar very well could have been a top-10 pick had he entered the ’25 draft, but returning to school should pay off long term as he rounds off a few of the edges when it comes to his decision making and starts to live up to the kind of ceiling that many believe he has.

5. New Orleans Saints
Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU Tigers
There’s a nonzero chance that the Saints would look to trade up to the top pick if native son Arch Manning enters the draft, but should that scenario not come to pass, Kellen Moore can still land a true franchise quarterback from just up the road in Nussmeier (whose dad just happens to be the team’s offensive coordinator).

6. Las Vegas Raiders
LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina Gamecocks
Sellers might be the most intriguing quarterback in the country in 2025, given the flashes he showed when healthy as the Gamecocks starter. He’s physically imposing with rare size and a cannon for an arm, and has bigger upside than just about anybody in the potential class of quarterbacks. His skill set will no doubt intrigue Pete Carroll and allow Vegas to find its long-term option under center.

8. Indianapolis Colts
Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson Tigers
If the Colts are picking inside the top 10, there may well be a house cleaning in Indy regarding the front office, coaching staff and quarterback room. Klubnik has slowly but steadily improved over the course of his time as a starter at Clemson and returns to a team capable of winning it all this year.

16. Pittsburgh Steelers
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana Hoosiers
At 6' 5" and 225 pounds, Mendoza looks like an NFL quarterback but really has a chance to elevate his stock by playing in the Big Ten after a quality campaign as a starter with the California Golden Bears. He has a bit of moxy and could be the actual long-term Big Ben successor in Pittsburgh.

 

SWEET! We can draft 3 of these and win the 2026 draft getting first round values in rounds 2, 3 and 4!!!

 

And this is exactly why we should trade this years draft picks for next year because next year is going to be fantastic

 

Why stop at 3? Trade back in the seventh and grab four.

 

TRADE THREE FIRST ROUDNS, TWO SECOND ROUNDERS, DERRICK HARMON AND T.J. WATT IN 2027 FOR ARCH MANNING!!

 

Tank for Arch!!!!