NFL · 3 hours ago

NFL Draft: Predicting the Landing Spots for the Top 9 Quarterbacks

Joe Cervenka

Host · Writer

1. Fernando Mendoza (Indiana)
The New Face of the Raiders' Foundation
- Projected Team: Las Vegas Raiders (Round 1, Pick 1)
- The Profile: Fernando Mendoza is the undisputed processor of this QB class, boasting a 90.3 QBR in 2025 (first in NCAA) and a surgical 72.0% completion rate.
- Why it Fits: Vegas cannot pass on the most efficient arm in the country. With 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns against just six interceptions, Mendoza provides the high-floor stability the Raiders have lacked for years.
- Inside the Numbers: His 182.9 passer rating and elite 9.3 yards per attempt suggest a quarterback who doesn't just take what the defense gives him, he dictates the terms of the engagement.
Fernando Mendoza's Combine Measurements
- Height: 6'5"
- Weight: 225 lbs.
- Hand: 9 1/2"
- Arm: 31 7/8"
Fernando Mendoza's Combine Results
- 40-Yard Dash: n/a
- 10-Yard Split: n/a
- Vertical Jump: n/a
- Broad Jump: n/a
- 3-Cone Drill: n/a
- 20-Yard Shuttle: n/a
- Bench Press: n/a
2026 NFL Mock Draft: Strategic Landing Spots for the Elite Quarterback Class
The 2026 NFL Draft is shaping up as a high-stakes chess match, with quarterback decisions set to define the board for a new era. This class isn't just a top-heavy lottery; it features a pair of undisputed "blue-chip" franchise anchors alongside a deep, dangerous pool of developmental starters with massive athletic upside.

While the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Jets are positioned to strike early and aggressively, other savvy front offices, including the Pittsburgh Steelers, New Orleans Saints, and Arizona Cardinals, are playing the long game. They are taking a more calculated approach, bypassing the first-round tax to target elite value and high-floor solutions on Day 2 and Day 3.

We’re breaking down the landing spots for the top nine signal-callers in the class, from the Heisman winner at the top to the elite arm talent hiding in the seventh round.

Since everybody on the planet knows who is going first, let's reverse this bad boy!
9. Behren Morton (Texas Tech)
Jacksonville Stocks Up on Accuracy and Experience to Close the Draft
- Projected Team: Jacksonville Jaguars (Round 7, Pick 241)
- The Profile: Behren Morton is a battle-tested Big 12 veteran who thrives on accuracy and quick processing. In 2025, he posted a rock-solid 154.6 passer rating, racking up 2,780 yards and 22 touchdowns while leading Texas Tech to a successful double-digit win season.
- Why it Fits: The Jaguars need a savvy distributor who can challenge a defense without turning the ball over. Morton’s 66.0% completion clip and low 1.8% interception rate make him a "safe" pick for Jacksonville as they look to shore up the bottom of their depth chart.
- Inside the Numbers: Despite a modest 8.4 yards per target, Morton’s efficiency is elite. He recorded 18 big-time throws in his final season, proving he can deliver under pressure when the lights are brightest.
Behren Morton’s Combine Measurements
- Height: 6'2"
- Weight: 221 lbs.
- Hand: 9 1/2"
- Arm: 30 5/8"
Behren Morton's Combine Results
- 40-Yard Dash: n/a
- 10-Yard Split: n/a
- Vertical Jump: n/a
- Broad Jump: n/a
- 3-Cone Drill: n/a
- 20-Yard Shuttle: n/a
- Bench Press: n/a
8. Luke Altmyer (Illinois)
The Giants Target a High-Floor Leader with Day 3 Value
- Projected Team: New York Giants (Round 6, Pick 181)
- The Profile: Luke Altmyer is the quintessential gamer, finishing his fifth collegiate season with a career-best 3,007 passing yards and 22 touchdowns. He proved to be one of the most efficient decision-makers in the Big Ten, throwing just five interceptions on the year.
- Why it Fits: John Harbaugh values mental toughness and ball security, making Altmyer an ideal developmental backup for Jaxson Dart. While he doesn't have the wow arm, his 67.4% completion rate and sneaky rushing ability (242 yards, 5 TDs) make him a high-reliability insurance policy.
- Inside the Numbers: Altmyer’s poise in the pocket is backed by a 78.5 QBR. He isn't a Combine warrior, but his tape shows a rhythmic distributor who can operate an NFL-style offense with surgical precision.
Luke Altmyer's Combine Measurements
- Height: 6'2"
- Weight: 210 lbs.
- Hand: 9"
- Arm: 29 7/8"
Luke Altmyer's Combine Results
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.72
- 10-Yard Split: 1.66
- Vertical Jump: 32”
- Broad Jump: 9’6”
- 3-Cone Drill: n/a
- 20-Yard Shuttle: n/a
- Bench Press: n/a
7. Cole Payton (North Dakota State)
Dolphins Add a Left-Handed Swiss Army Knife on Day 3
- Projected Team: Miami Dolphins (Round 5, Pick 151)
- The Profile: Cole Payton is a physical anomaly at 6'3", 233 lbs, finishing his NDSU career with a staggering 193.8 pass efficiency rating and a perfect 16:0 TD-to-INT ratio in 2025.
- Why it Fits: Miami has a clear need for creative depth behind Malik Willis. Payton’s elite mobility, evidenced by 777 rushing yards and 13 TDs, allows the team to draw up unique sub-packages while developing Payton's high-velocity arm.
- Inside the Numbers: With a 72.0% completion rate and 12.1 yards per attempt, Payton’s efficiency is excellent. His ability to protect the ball is exactly what the Dolphins' system requires.
Cole Payton's Combine Measurements
- Height: 6'3"
- Weight: 232 lbs.
- Hand: 10 1/4"
- Arm: 31 5/8"
Cole Payton's Combine Results
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.56
- 10-Yard Split: 1.57
- Vertical Jump: 40”
- Broad Jump: 10’10”
- 3-Cone Drill: 7.12
- 20-Yard Shuttle: 4.36
- Bench Press: n/a
6. Drew Allar (Penn State)
Saints Invest in a High-Ceiling Prototype in the 4t
- Projected Team: New Orleans Saints (Round 4, Pick 132)
- The Profile: Drew Allar possesses the ideal NFL frame at 6'5", 235 lbs, but a statistically modest final season with 1,100 passing yards and eight touchdowns in a season cut short by a broken ankle in early October.
- Why it Fits: New Orleans uses their final selection of the fourth round (from Seattle) to grab a low-risk, high-reward project. Allar’s 64.8% completion rate and 135.7 rating suggest the foundational mechanics are sound, making him an intriguing developmental piece to sit behind a veteran.
- Inside the Numbers: Despite a middling 58.0 QBR, Allar’s discipline in protecting the football—yielding only three interceptions on 159 attempts—is an indicator that he can be coached into a reliable NFL distributor.
Drew Allar's Combine Measurements
- Height: 6'5"
- Weight: 228 lbs.
- Hand: 9 7/8"
- Arm: 32 3/4"
Drew Allar's Combine Results
- 40-Yard Dash: n/a
- 10-Yard Split: n/a
- Vertical Jump: n/a
- Broad Jump: n/a
- 3-Cone Drill: n/a
- 20-Yard Shuttle: n/a
- Bench Press: n/a
5. Taylen Green (Arkansas)
Colts Draft an Elite Athletic Outlier in the 4th
- Projected Team: Indianapolis Colts (Round 4, Pick 113)
- The Profile: Taylen Green is a physical marvel at 6'6", 227 lbs, having shattered combine records with a 4.36-second 40-yard dash and a 43.5-inch vertical jump.
- Why it Fits: GM Chris Ballard has a well-documented obsession with elite Relative Athletic Scores, and Green is the ultimate traits prospect. With 777 rushing yards and eight TDs on the ground in 2025, he offers a developmental ceiling that mirrors the physical profile of an Anthony Richardson, providing Indy with a high-upside insurance policy.
- Inside the Numbers: While his 11 interceptions and sub-61% completion rate at Arkansas are concerns, Green’s 82.8 QBR (ninth in NCAA) and 19 passing touchdowns suggest that his playmaking gravity is worth the gamble at Pick 113.
Taylen Green's Combine Measurements
- Height: 6'6"
- Weight: 227 lbs.
- Hand: 9 7/8"
- Arm: 34 3/4"
Taylen Green's Combine Results
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.36
- 10-Yard Split: 1.55
- Vertical Jump: 43.5”
- Broad Jump: 11’2”
- 3-Cone Drill: n/a
- 20-Yard Shuttle: n/a
- Bench Press: n/a
4. Garrett Nussmeier (LSU)
Steelers Tap into Bayou Pedigree in the 3
- Projected Team: Pittsburgh Steelers (Round 3, Pick 85)
- The Profile: A refined rhythm passer at 6'1", 205 lbs, Garrett Nussmeier displayed high-level processing in the SEC, finishing with a 67.4% completion rate and an efficient 133.8 rating.
- Why it Fits: Pittsburgh prioritizes a low-variance operator to stabilize the depth chart. Nussmeier’s ability to protect the football, tallying just five interceptions on 288 attempts, perfectly aligns with a Mike McCarthy-led philosophy that values winning the turnover battle.
- Inside the Numbers: With 1,927 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2025, Nussmeier proved he can navigate tight windows. The LSU product has a talent profile that many scouts view as a sharp Day 2 steal.
Garrett Nussmeier's Combine Measurements
- Height: 6'2"
- Weight: 203 lbs.
- Hand: 9 1/8"
- Arm: 30 3/8"
Garrett Nussmeier's Combine Results
- 40-Yard Dash: n/a
- 10-Yard Split: n/a
- Vertical Jump: n/a
- Broad Jump: n/a
- 3-Cone Drill: n/a
- 20-Yard Shuttle: n/a
- Bench Press: n/a
3. Carson Beck (Miami)
Arizona Secures a Pocket General in the 3rd
- Projected Team: Arizona Cardinals (Round 3, Pick 65)
- The Profile: Carson Beck is a massive 6'4", 220 lbs traditionalist who was fourth in the nation with 3,813 passing yards while maintaining a surgical 72.4% completion rate in 2025.
- Why it Fits: After focusing on the trenches and defense with their first two selections (No. 3 and No. 34), Arizona hits the value button at Pick 65. Beck’s 81.8 QBR (10th in NCAA) provides the Cardinals with a high-floor distributor who can challenge for a starting role or serve as a premier insurance policy.
- Inside the Numbers: Despite 12 interceptions, Beck’s ability to push the ball downfield (8.2 YPA) and his 30 touchdowns suggest he is a pro-ready prospect.
Carson Beck's Combine Measurements
- Height: 6'5"
- Weight: 233 lbs.
- Hand: 10"
- Arm: 31 1/8"
Carson Beck's Combine Results
- 40-Yard Dash: n/a
- 10-Yard Split: n/a
- Vertical Jump: n/a
- Broad Jump: n/a
- 3-Cone Drill: n/a
- 20-Yard Shuttle: n/a
- Bench Press: n/a
2. Ty Simpson (Alabama)
The Jets Secure a High-Volume Successor
- Projected Team: New York Jets (Round 2, Pick 33)
- The Profile: Standing 6'2", 208 lbs, Ty Simpson has the SEC pedigree and a live arm that produced 3,567 passing yards and 28 touchdowns in his final season.
- Why it Fits: The Jets use their two opening-round picks to address more pressing needs and grab their QB to open the second round. Simpson’s 76.0 QBR and ability to protect the football (only five INTs) make him the ideal candidate to compete to lead a New York roster into a new era.
- Inside the Numbers: Simpson showed elite durability with 473 attempts, proving he can shoulder a heavy NFL-style workload while maintaining a 64.5% completion clip.
Ty Simpson's Combine Measurements
- Height: 6'1"
- Weight: 211 lbs.
- Hand: 9 3/8"
- Arm: 30 7/8"
Ty Simpson's Combine Results
- 40-Yard Dash: n/a
- 10-Yard Split: n/a
- Vertical Jump: n/a
- Broad Jump: n/a
- 3-Cone Drill: n/a
- 20-Yard Shuttle: n/a
- Bench Press: n/a
Who Will Win the QB Lottery?
Which Franchise Secured Its Future?

Are the Raiders making the right call with Fernando Mendoza, or is the Cardinals’ value play on Carson Beck the sharper long-term move?

Can a small-school riser like Cole Payton continue the NDSU pipeline to NFL success, or does Ty Simpson offer the safest projection outside of the top tier?

Join the Debate: Who are your top quarterbacks in the 2026 class, and which landing spots make the most sense? Drop your mock draft and let’s break it down.
1. Fernando Mendoza (Indiana)
The New Face of the Raiders' Foundation
- Projected Team: Las Vegas Raiders (Round 1, Pick 1)
- The Profile: Fernando Mendoza is the undisputed processor of this QB class, boasting a 90.3 QBR in 2025 (first in NCAA) and a surgical 72.0% completion rate.
- Why it Fits: Vegas cannot pass on the most efficient arm in the country. With 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns against just six interceptions, Mendoza provides the high-floor stability the Raiders have lacked for years.
- Inside the Numbers: His 182.9 passer rating and elite 9.3 yards per attempt suggest a quarterback who doesn't just take what the defense gives him, he dictates the terms of the engagement.
Fernando Mendoza's Combine Measurements
- Height: 6'5"
- Weight: 225 lbs.
- Hand: 9 1/2"
- Arm: 31 7/8"
Fernando Mendoza's Combine Results
- 40-Yard Dash: n/a
- 10-Yard Split: n/a
- Vertical Jump: n/a
- Broad Jump: n/a
- 3-Cone Drill: n/a
- 20-Yard Shuttle: n/a
- Bench Press: n/a
2026 NFL Mock Draft: Strategic Landing Spots for the Elite Quarterback Class
The 2026 NFL Draft is shaping up as a high-stakes chess match, with quarterback decisions set to define the board for a new era. This class isn't just a top-heavy lottery; it features a pair of undisputed "blue-chip" franchise anchors alongside a deep, dangerous pool of developmental starters with massive athletic upside.

While the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Jets are positioned to strike early and aggressively, other savvy front offices, including the Pittsburgh Steelers, New Orleans Saints, and Arizona Cardinals, are playing the long game. They are taking a more calculated approach, bypassing the first-round tax to target elite value and high-floor solutions on Day 2 and Day 3.

We’re breaking down the landing spots for the top nine signal-callers in the class, from the Heisman winner at the top to the elite arm talent hiding in the seventh round.

Since everybody on the planet knows who is going first, let's reverse this bad boy!