Beyond Mendoza, Simpson, what do NFL scouts think of the 2026 QB draft class?

AFC EastBillsDolphinsJetsPatriotsAFC NorthBengalsBrownsRavensSteelersAFC SouthColtsJaguarsTexansTitansAFC WestBroncosChargersChiefsRaidersNFC EastCommandersCowboysEaglesGiantsNFC NorthBearsLionsPackersVikingsNFC SouthBuccaneersFalconsPanthersSaintsNFC West49ersCardinalsRamsSeahawksScores & ScheduleStandingsFantasyNFL OddsNFL PicksNFL DraftPodcastsScoop City NewsletterThe Beast7-Round Mock DraftTop 100 RankingsConsensus RankingsNFL Draft Order2026 NFL Draft While scouts love the traits of Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green (left), Miami quarterback Carson Beck (right) figures to be pro-ready. (Alex Slitz and Carmen Mandato / Getty Images) Share articleIf Fernando Mendoza is the lock of the draft and Ty Simpson remains the first round’s greatest mystery, the rest of the quarterback class could be in store for an unpredictable weekend. No, this has not been a top-billed QB class, so the later wave of prospects hasn’t generated much buzz, either. There are known names, for sure, such as Miami’s Carson Beck, LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier and Penn State’s Drew Allar, but their spotlights faded with performance woes. Naturally, general managers all dream of the possibility of finding a Tom Brady in the sixth round or even a Brock Purdy in the seventh, but the vast majority of mid- to late-round QBs never become viable long-term starters. Of the 123 quarterbacks taken in the third round or later from 2000 to 2020, 82 (66.7 percent) made 10 or fewer starts, 30 of those 82 never made a start, and just 14 (11.4 percent) of the overall group made at least 50 starts. “It’s a tough class, to be honest,” a team scout said. “There’s nobody who really jumps out at you.” To be clear, there are elements to like about each player, but they’re not as consistent with high-end talent like many first-rounders. If any pan out, it’ll require a patient developmental plan with an organization that supports him. Among the later wave of QBs, Beck’s name came up most often among team executives and scouts. He arrived at Georgia with a high profile and was Stetson Bennett’s backup for two national championships, but Beck’s two-year starting tenure ended with elbow surgery. He led Miami to the national title game last season. At 6 feet 4 and 233 pounds, Beck looks the part, has impressed with his football IQ and boasts a pretty good arm. But he threw 24 interceptions over the past two seasons and fumbled 17 times over the past three. There are also questions about his ability to lead an NFL locker room. “Everybody is sleeping on him,” another scout said. “He’s big. He’s won a lot of games. He’s got the arm. He’s got the most translatable skill set of all of them outside (Mendoza and Simpson). He feels like more of a pro QB than the other (mid- to late-round options).” A year ago, league executives viewed Nussmeier and Allar as candidates to grow into prospects worthy of a top-10 pick. Both dealt with injuries last season, but they’ve also been inconsistent, which will require elements of significant refinement to blossom in the NFL. The league loves talented reclamation projects, though, so the pair will have their fans among front offices. Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green is another favorite among teams. The 6-5, 227-pounder ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the combine and has a big arm to match. “Taylen Green is the traits guy (of the draft),” an executive said. “If you can develop him, that’s the dude.” Green is the type of quarterback who could shine in the preseason to stoke fan optimism for the future, but there’s plenty to polish with his game, notably the 37 turnovers (20 interceptions, 17 fumbles) over the past two seasons. He’ll need to improve his mechanics, pocket presence and accuracy, but there’s some translatable value from offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino’s system to the NFL. And Green is as physically gifted as any player in the draft class. “Green is a freak show,” the second scout said. At quarterback, the person matters, too. And it takes a unique outlook for a young quarterback to improve his game while working as a willing backup. Multiple executives praised Georgia Tech’s Haynes King, Clemson’s Cade Klubnik, North Dakota State’s Cole Payton and Kansas Jalon Daniels for their work ethic and demeanor off the field. “Haynes King is an absolute stud, tough, gritty, has everything you want,” an executive said. “King has every intangible that you could possibly want in the position — leadership, toughness, will be a coach when it’s all said and done.” After the first couple of rounds, quarterbacks face extremely long odds to grow into a starter, and this class doesn’t figure to be an exception. But as teams cling to some of their favorite characteristics with these QBs, they’ve been able to narrow their focus on the prospect pool. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Jeff Howe is the NFL National Insider for The Athletic. A native of Lowell, Mass., and a UMass graduate, he previously covered the New England Patriots from 2009-21. Howe, who has been with The Athletic since 2018, is the author of “If These Walls Could Talk: New England Patriots.” Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffphowe