Is your team in need of a quarterback?
The good news is that there are expected to be several quarterback options during the 2026 NFL Draft. After only two quarterbacks were selected in the first round in last year’s draft, as many as five quarterbacks could be drafted within the first 32 picks.
The bad news for some fans is that the 2026 draft is still seven months away. But for teams like the Jets, Browns, Dolphins, Saints, Panthers, and possibly the Rams, it is never too early to speculate on the possible players they could select.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at my way-too-early top-five 2026 NFL quarterback prospects right now.
LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
Despite his start to the season, Sellers remains my top quarterback who is eligible to declare for the 2026 draft. He has thrown for 886 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception through five games for South Carolina.
Sellers has everything you want in a quarterback at 6-3, 240 pounds and he fits what modern general managers look for at the position. He possesses a remarkable amount of athletic ability, complemented by a strong frame. Sellers also has a rocket for an arm and the ball explodes out of his hand.
Last year, Sellers led the Gamecocks to a 9-4 record after throwing for 2,534 yards, 18 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He also rushed for 674 yards and seven touchdowns.
One of the biggest concerns is that the Seller doesn’t run a pro-style offense. He also has a habit of being a one-read quarterback and quickly taking off to run outside the pocket when that receiver is not open. Sellers’ ball placement and overall pocket awareness could also improve.
However, there’s a lot to like about Sellers, and he has the highest ceiling of any quarterback eligible for the 2026 NFL Draft. His play is reminiscent of that of former Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper, before he began suffering from knee injuries later in his career.
Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
The son of Saints offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier, there’s a lot to like about Garrett. He is like a point guard who can perfectly distribute and orchestrate the LSU offense. He led LSU to nine victories in 2024 after throwing for 4,052 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
One of the knocks on Nussmeier entering this year was his lack of accuracy and his alarming turnovers in critical moments. It is obvious that Nussmeier trusts his arm a little too much at times and that can get him in trouble when he tries to throw in tight windows in coverage. He can also hold onto the ball too long, which can translate into defensive sacks.
Through five games this season, Nussmeier has improved his accuracy after completing 67.3% of his passes and throwing only three interceptions. His 6-1, 205-pound frame and lack of a big arm may scare some teams. However, Nussmeier possesses enough talent and arm strength to be a successful starting quarterback in the league for over a decade.
Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
Mendoza is rocketing up draft boards, especially after his performance during the 63-10 victory over Illinois in Week 4. In that game, Mendoza completed 21-of-23 passes for 267 yards and five touchdowns.
Many expected big numbers from Mendoza after he transferred from California to Indiana, but he is turning into a dark-horse Heisman Trophy candidate. He has also turned Indiana into a contender for the Big Ten Championship. In four games, Mendoza has 16 touchdowns and one interception.
Mendoza is a throwback quarterback in an era where most teams value athleticism and mobility at the position. At 6-5 and 225 pounds, Mendoza is basically a pocket quarterback who has an ideal frame, and he can make NFL-caliber throws. However, Mendoza can use his feet to roll out of the pocket and make throws on the move.
Don’t be surprised if Mendoza is a top 10 pick in next April’s draft.
Carson Beck, Miami
A change of scenery has done Beck some good this season.
He has helped lead the Hurricanes to a 4-0 record and the No. 2 ranking in the country. Before the start of the 2024 season, while at Georgia, Beck was pegged as the No. 1 quarterback prospect on most draft analyst boards. However, struggled last season before suffering a season-ending elbow injury last December during the SEC Championship game against Texas. Beck then opted to transfer to Miami this past offseason rather than entering the NFL Draft.
Beck has had a bounce-back season with the Hurricanes. He ranks eighth in the country with a 73.2 completion percentage and has thrown for 972 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and three interceptions in four games for Miami.
At 6-4, 225 pounds, Beck is a talented pocket-passer who has enough mobility to move out of the pocket. When he has the time to throw with timing and rhythm, Beck can pick defenses apart with his high football IQ.
If he continues to play at a high level and possibly leads Miami to a national championship, Beck could once again be one of the first quarterbacks selected in next year’s draft.
Dante Moore, Oregon
Drew Allar initially was on my top five list. However, Moore has been a breakout star for the Ducks, especially after Oregon’s 30-24 double overtime victory against Penn State on Saturday night.
Moore threw for 248 yards and three touchdowns, rushed for 35 yards against the Nittany Lions in a challenging environment at Beaver Stadium. After an inconsistent freshman season at UCLA and sitting behind Dillon Gabriel after transferring to Oregon, Moore is a prospect who could find his way into the first round in April’s draft. He has thrown for 1,210 yards with 14 touchdowns, while only throwing one pick in five games.
Moore possesses incredible arm talent and athleticism that scouts and general managers are seeking in today’s quarterback. He also has the accuracy to get the ball at all three levels of the field.
Moore needs to improve his mechanics when defenders are pressuring him. But with his quick release, high football IQ, and overall football ability, don’t be surprised if Moore continues to climb up draft boards.
Other quarterbacks to watch
Texas’s Arch Manning and Penn State’s Drew Allar are two other quarterbacks who have been mentioned as possible high draft picks in 2026. Arch, the nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning, had an uneven performance in the season opener against Ohio State, completing 17 of 30 passes for 170 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
The 6-4, 216-pound Manning had his best game against Sam Houston, which has one of the worst defenses in FBS. He completed 86% of his passes for 309 yards and three touchdowns, as well as two rushing touchdowns, without a turnover.
Manning needs to improve his pocket awareness and avoid interceptions and mistakes at inopportune times. But could potentially return to 2026 for his redshirt junior season.
Much like Manning, Allar also tends to throw interceptions at critical times. He passed for 137 yards on 14-of-25 passing with two touchdowns and had the costly double overtime interception that gave Oregon the 30-24 victory.
Allar will arguably be the most polarizing prospect in next year’s draft. He has everything scouts want in a quarterback. Allar is 6-5, 235 pounds, has an elite arm, and has enough mobility to dance out of danger when defenders are bearing down on him.
However, if Allar is going to solidify his status as a first-round pick, his decision-making during the final eight games for Penn State needs to improve.
