After Fernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson, third QB drafted may have a long wait
Quarterback Prospects Face Long Wait After Top Picks in NFL Draft
As Indiana's Fernando Mendoza and Alabama's Ty Simpson headline the quarterback class in the 2026 NFL draft, many other prospective QBs like LSU's Garrett Nussmeier face uncertainty in this year鈥檚 highly competitive landscape.
The Breaking Point
Fernando Mendoza is the anticipated first overall pick for the Las Vegas Raiders, while Ty Simpson is likely to land later in the first round. However, beyond these two top-tier quarterbacks, the waiting game begins for others hoping to secure an NFL dream.
Beneath the Surface
Potential picks like Garrett Nussmeier and Drew Allar faced setbacks during their final college seasons, affecting their first-round aspirations. Nussmeier, hampered by injuries and a shaky season, and Allar, sidelined by an ankle injury, must convince teams of their potential beyond mid-round projections.
The Ripple Effect
With the draft spotlight shining brightly on the top two, the likes of Miami's Carson Beck and Clemson's Cade Klubnik may wait until Day 3 before hearing their names called. The intrigue lies in whether any of these quarterbacks can redefine the odds and rise unexpectedly.
"All it takes is one team to see their hidden potential." Michael David Smith
