The Panini Senior Bowl is underway in Mobile, and the quarterbacks are the prime focus for evaluators looking to find clarity in the 2026 NFL Draft QB class. How have Diego Pavia, Garrett Nussmeier, and others fared thus far?
Luke Altmyer, QB, American
Luke Altmyer’s experience showed with his quick acclimation at the Senior Bowl, but from an execution standpoint, his day was up-and-down. Early on, Altmyer experienced lapses in situational precision, and those didn’t go away.
Too often, Altmyer wasn’t able to place the ball to his receiver’s leverage, in both catch-point and RAC scenarios, but he did at least show solid pocket instincts. His depth discipline was strong, and he showed a willingness to step up through rush corridors and stay on schedule.
Accuracy will be the key for Altmyer, who has the processing ability and pocket utility but lacks the arm strength to separate himself on tools alone.
Taylen Green, QB, American
Taylen Green did enough to further intrigue evaluators moving forward on Day 1. He stayed fresh all day, throwing to WRs in 1-on-1s, 7-on-7s, and team drills, and was generally accurate, with efficient timing on route breaks.
There’s still room for more to be asked from Green as a field general and processor at the event, but at 6’6″, 229 pounds, with high-level athleticism and easy arm talent, he assuredly looks the part, and thus far, he’s been composed, collected, and very clean mechanically.
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With college tape that was very up-and-down at times during independent processing, Green will need to “wow” those watching with clear, consistent signs of development. His talent is superlative, and he’s off to a solid start.
Garrett Nussmeier, QB, American
The quarterbacks weren’t stressed too much on Day 1, but Garrett Nussmeier had a decent outing to kick off Senior Bowl week. Right from the jump, he showed command of the offense, moving the pocket and operating off different mesh points on play-action.
Later, Nussmeier delivered a dime to Ted Hurst on a vertical route, which resulted in the catch of the day. Hurst converted, but Nussmeier placed the ball to the pylon and allowed him to dictate positioning.
Nussmeier needs to stack strong days to experience a resurgence in NFL Draft stock, but there’s room for him to rise behind Fernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson if that happens. His mechanics are crisp so far, and he’s a cool operator under center.
Diego Pavia, QB, National
Diego Pavia made waves for reasons he might not have preferred on Monday, measuring in at just 5’9 7/8″ and 198 pounds. But Tuesday offered him an opportunity to flip the script, and the results were mixed.
Pavia’s best play of the day was a pinpoint touch throw to Josh Cameron on the boundary, and he also flashed the ability to work on-schedule and throw over the middle on second reads.
That said, Pavia’s throwing velocity largely underwhelmed throughout the day, and he also experienced a lapse in post-snap ball security early on. At his size, with his arm limitations, his margin for error is slimmer, so Pavia has to stack a couple of good days.
Cole Payton, QB, National
Much like Green, the name of the game for Cole Payton was enticing onlookers, and he did that on Tuesday. At 6’2 3/8″ and 229 pounds, Payton has the prototypical frame and exciting arm strength, and he was able to drive the ball to multiple levels in his first action.
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Payton laid claim to the longest throw of the day: A 50-yard bomb to Caleb Douglas on a deep post route. The pass was a bit behind Douglas and forced an adjustment, but the timeliness yielded from Payton’s arm strength helped prevent DB recovery.
Later, Payton dished a pinpoint back-shoulder pass to Tyren Montgomery on the sideline, showcasing situational precision. The week is still young for Payton, but the talented lefty has a chance to win over evaluators if he can stay consistent and keep making plays.
Sawyer Robertson, QB, National
Sawyer Robertson was solid to start off his Senior Bowl showing. Right away, the 6’4″, 221-pound signal-caller displayed the ability to operate from shotgun or move the pocket off boot actions, and he was smooth throwing off-platform, even against his dominant hand.
Robertson’s best throw of the day came in team drills: A deep corner route to Jordan Hudson, after progressing from the first read on the boundary. He was able to hit Hudson in a timely manner, while throwing him back toward the sideline and away from contact.
On top of his steady on-field work, Robertson also won the honor of having the highest initial throw speed and RPMs among National QBs on Day 1, per Zebra Technologies. His arm suffices, and so far, he’s been steady when he needs to be. Keeping that momentum will count.
