NFL mock draft 2026: QBs-only projection for all 7 rounds

Apr 13, 2026 - 15:45

There is no position in the NFL draft that garners attention like the quarterback. Even though this is considered a pretty meager overall quarterback class, there is always intrigue about who will land where.

So, we’re going to conduct a quarterback mock draft through the seven-round process. Here we go:

First-round quarterback

1 overall: Fernando Mendoza, Indiana, Las Vegas Raiders

Slam dunk. The Raiders badly need a franchise quarterback. Mendoza is the quarterback at the position worthy of a top pick. It’s done.

Second-round quarterback

34: Ty Simpson, Alabama, Arizona Cardinals

There’s a long wait from the Mendoza pick. Many think Simpson will go in the first round, but we see him dropping because there’s just too many questions about him. This 1s a value pick for the Cardinals. If he hits great. If not, it is back at it next year with a much better quarterback class.

Third-round quarterbacks

87: Garrett Nussmeier, LSU, Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins have four picks in the third round and Nussmeier is a perfect fit here. A lot of scouts think he has a chance to develop into a starter. Nussmeier looks like a Shanahan coaching tree prototype and that’s exactly the roots of Miami offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik. There’s no risk for Miami here.

99: Carson Beck, Miami, Pittsburgh Steelers

Beck is a hit-or-miss player, but he’s worth a shot at the end of Day Two. It’s the perfect time for the Steelers to use a comp pick on him. They like Will Howard, but there’s no reason not to add another young quarterback to a franchise that badly needs to find a long-term answer. Capital One Orange Bowl - Penn State v Notre Dame

Fourth-round quarterbacks

103: Drew Allar, Penn State, New York Jets

Kind of love this one. Allar has prototypical NFL quarterback size. He is coming off an injury. He is a lottery ticket. There is no risk for the Jets. They didn’t have to reach for Simpson in the first round and they don’t need to play Allar right away. And if he doesn’t pan out, the Jets have three first-round picks in the quarterback-rich 2027 draft.

107: Cole Payton, North Dakota State, Cleveland Browns

Another year, another drafted QB for the Brownies. Why not? They don’t have any answers and the small-school Payton has some skills. Don’t rush him to the field and it may pay off.

109: Taylen Green, Arkansas, Kansas City CHuiefs

Green is an athletic freak and lit up the NFL combine. He is a developmental quarterback and this is a good place for him to develop. if the Chiefs can flip him in a couple of years for a high-round pick, this would be a good move.

Fifth-round quarterbacks

141: Luke Altmyer, Illinois, Houston Texans

The Texans could groom a young quarterback and many scouts think Altmyer could stick around the NFL for quite a while. NCAA Football: ACC Football Championship-Clemson at North Carolina

152: Cade Klubnik, Clemson, Dallas Cowboys

Some teams really like him and others are worried about him. Seems like a perfect Jerry Jones pick to develop behind Dak Prescott, who will be 33. It’s a late-round flier on a guy with some talent.