In 2025, only two quarterbacks were selected in Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft — just a year after six passers went in the first round of the 2024 showcase. The 2026 NFL Draft’s QB class could look a lot similar to the group two years prior. The potential energy is there, but the onus is on the players to reach those aspirations.
From high-upside tools to breakout production, and to oft-anticipated legacy prospects, there’s an abundance of storylines surrounding the 2026 NFL Draft QB class. Arch Manning is the headliner, but even he might not have as good a case for No. 1 as Cade Klubnik, LaNorris Sellers, or Fernando Mendoza. How do they rank right now? Let’s dive in.
10) Carson Beck, Miami (FL)
Some way-too-early 2025 NFL Draft boards had Carson Beck ranked ahead of Cam Ward. Now, Ward is the 2025 No. 1 overall pick, and Beck has transferred to Miami to try to rebuild his stock — hoping to follow Ward’s blueprint.
After a highly efficient 2023 season, Beck was viewed as a potential early-round QB with size, a strong arm, and quality accuracy. But a rocky 2024 exposed his athletic and creative limitations and brought regression in both decision-making and ball placement.
The physical prototype is still intact, but Beck is primarily a pocket passer who still needs to refine his mental game. Without dynamic creation ability to fall back on, Round 1 is a long shot for now — but a rebound in 2025 could put him back on the Day 2 radar.
9) Sawyer Robertson, Baylor
After bottoming out with his passing efficiency as a rotational QB in 2023, Sawyer Robertson drastically improved as Baylor’s full-time starter last year. He completed 229 of 368 attempts (62.2%) for 3,071 yards, 28 touchdowns and eight interceptions, all while playing through an immobilizing ankle injury down the stretch.
With top targets such as Josh Cameron and Michael Trigg returning to Baylor, Robertson is a QB sleeper to watch in the 2026 NFL Draft. At 6’4″, 220 pounds, he has prototypical size, stellar creation capacity, good field vision and solid overall arm talent.
Robertson still needs more consistent upper-lower body synergy in his mechanics, as his short and intermediate placement can suffer. But already, he’s one of the better deep passers and play extenders in the 2025 class. His 2024 season flew under the radar, and a healthy encore could push him into early-round talks.
8) Aidan Chiles, Michigan State
On the surface, Aidan Chiles is easy to overlook. He completed just 59.4% of his passes in 2024 for 2,415 yards with a 13-to-11 TD-to-INT ratio. But turn on the tape, and you’ll see plenty of NFL-level throws mixed in with volatility and inconsistency.
Chiles is young and still developing. While there are flashes of anticipation, his field vision and timing remain inconsistent, and so does his intermediate accuracy. Cutting down turnovers and maturation as a decision-maker will be a must in 2025.
That said, Chiles is an intriguing talent at 6’3″, 217 pounds, with agile athleticism, high-end creative instincts, good pocket mechanics and an NFL-caliber arm. Coaches will appreciate his comfort under center and flashes of anticipation, manipulation, and poise, which could push him into early-round consideration.
7) Arch Manning, Texas
It’ll be tough to get a true read on Arch Manning this summer. He’s a former No. 1 overall recruit, nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning, and a gifted physical talent backed by Texas’ infrastructure. All the tools are there for a first-round breakout — but he’s only started two games.
100 Days until Arch Manning becomes him 🤘🏽🐂🔥 pic.twitter.com/vaxSdRf3gU
— Chuy Vasquez (@loslonghorns) May 22, 2025
It’s also no guarantee that Manning declares in 2026, even if he plays well. Thanks to NIL earnings and the Manning family’s long-standing preference for four-year college careers, there’s no incentive for the youngest Manning to leave early.
Still, as long as he’s eligible, Manning belongs in the conversation. His small sample size already shows elite arm talent, layering ability, mobility, toughness and situational awareness. If 2025 is a breakout year, the draft buzz will be deafening.
6) Eli Holstein, Pittsburgh
A quiet breakout from the 2024 season, Eli Holstein made waves after transferring from Alabama to Pittsburgh. He threw for 2,225 yards, 17 touchdowns and seven picks while leading a thrilling Backyard Brawl comeback win for the Panthers.
At 6’4″, 225 pounds, Holstein is well built and brings excellent playmaking skills to the table. He’s a twitchy, flexible athlete, capable of delivering off-platform and extending plays under pressure.
Holstein’s game is volatile — his decision-making can get erratic — but the traits are undeniable. His skill set resembles a young Sam Darnold. If he finds rhythm and control in 2025, Round 1 isn’t out of reach.
5) Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
The “Nuss Buss” is loading up fast after a breakout 2024 season. Garrett Nussmeier threw for 4,052 yards, 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while completing over 64% of his passes — ranking among the top volume passers returning to college football.
He’s not an elite athlete, nor does he have elite size or arm strength. At 6’2″, 200 pounds, he’s fairly average physically. But his pocket management, anticipation, quick reactions and clutch fearlessness give him a legitimate NFL projection.
Nussmeier resembles Tony Romo: A crafty, high-IQ gunslinger who thrives on timing and execution, even without high-end traits — and his arm elasticity is prevalent enough to raise his ceiling in-structure. He could climb boards fast in 2025.
4) Drew Allar, Penn State
Drew Allar might be the most divisive passer in the 2026 class. The 6’5″, 236-pound signal-caller boasts a cannon arm, high-end pre-snap command and top-tier physical tools. He’s been productive too, with 5,958 passing yards, 49 touchdowns and just 10 picks the last two seasons.
#PennState QB Drew Allar (6-5, 238)
Big pocket passer. Velocity to fit passes into tight windows and shows touch on deep throws. Accuracy made a major leap in 2024. pic.twitter.com/1VshgOcc5R
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) May 19, 2025
But one major issue persists: Accuracy. Despite his rare velocity, Allar struggles to consistently place passes for run-after-catch and deep-ball execution. He’s growing as a field general, but placement will define his ceiling.
He still carries Round 1 potential, especially if he can sharpen his mechanics and become more efficient. The raw tools remain elite. But inaccuracy has endlessly plagued high-potential passers before, and Allar runs that risk heading into Year 4.
3) LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
LaNorris Sellers might have the highest ceiling of any QB in the 2026 class. In 2024, he passed for 2,534 yards and 18 touchdowns with just a 2.3% interception rate, while adding 674 yards and seven scores on the ground.
At 6’3″, 241 pounds, Sellers is a one-of-one athlete: explosive, twitchy, strong, and nearly impossible to sack. His movement skills and sack evasion are rare — maybe even generational — and his athleticism at his size makes him deadly on the ground.
Sellers needs to keep developing his field vision and anticipation, but he’s smart with the football and flashes easy arm strength and creativity from multiple platforms. If he takes the next step in 2025, Sellers could be the first QB off the board.
2) Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
If you don’t know Fernando Mendoza yet, that’s going to change soon. After transferring to Indiana, he quietly became one of the top passers in college football. At 6’5″, 225 pounds, he threw for 3,004 yards, 16 touchdowns and six interceptions in 2024 while completing nearly 70% of his passes.
Mendoza is a gunslinger with elite velocity, fast-processing instincts, and pinpoint accuracy. He plays fast and confident, and is more than willing to thread the needle and challenge defenses with his arm. At the same time, he can also work efficiently on quick-game throws.
Mendoza still needs to fine-tune his footwork and rein in some of his risk-taking, but his upside is massive. He has the size, the arm, the toughness, and more than enough functional athleticism to navigate space. He’s a prototypical NFL passer in the making.
1) Cade Klubnik, Clemson
Heading into the 2025 season, PFSN’s early QB1 is Clemson’s Cade Klubnik. The former five-star recruit exploded in 2024 with 3,639 passing yards, 36 touchdowns, six interceptions, and 463 rushing yards with seven more scores.
At 6’2″, 205 pounds, Klubnik doesn’t have elite size, but he’s a twitchy, elastic playmaker with dynamic off-platform ability and elite instincts. He’s a true dual-threat with standout poise and pocket feel.
Still, Klubnik isn’t just a creator — he’s surgical in structure. He excels in the quick game, layers throws with precision, and thrives under pressure. He’s drawn comparisons to 2024 first-rounder Bo Nix, but Klubnik may be even more refined entering the process.