2026 NFL Draft Summer Scouting: Quarterback Overview

College & Draft Sports

add

• Texas star Arch Manning headlines the group: Ahead of his first full season as a starter, Manning boasts great accuracy and mobility.

• LaNorris Sellers needs refinement: The South Carolina standout must better read zone coverages to evolve as a passer.

The 2025 college football season has just begun, but it’s never too early to break down prospects for next spring’s draft class.

PFF Lead NFL Draft Analyst Trevor Sikkema offers his breakdowns for 25 quarterback prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft, from Arch Manning to Cade Klubnik to Fernando Mendoza and more.

Arch Manning, Texas

Strengths

• Average height and weight for an NFL quarterback
• Fundamentally sound quarterback for his age
• Holds the ball securely while scanning the field to avoid fumbles
• Excellent natural accuracy, even on throws beyond 40–50 yards
• Above-average mobility and effective when throwing on the run
• Steady demeanor — never gets too high or too low

Weaknesses

• Ideal footwork, though he can appear a bit robotic due to limited starting experience
• Needs to improve eye discipline and avoid locking onto primary targets

Scouting Summary

Manning is green in games played and started, but he doesn’t look it when dropping back and scanning the field. He has adequate NFL size, and his fundamentals reflect those of a pro, with nimble feet and above-average mobility. His natural touch and accuracy stand out, even on deep throws. Manning’s more apparent weaknesses stem from a lack of live-game reps, something that can naturally improve over time, making him a top-tier quarterback prospect.

Drew Allar, Penn State

Strengths

• Legit NFL frame
• High-level arm talent with excellent velocity in the short and intermediate areas, capable of fitting throws into tight windows
• Displays decent consistency with ball placement when throwing with touch
• Not a great overall athlete, but can execute QB power in short-yardage situations

Weaknesses

• Front foot creates an overly open stance at the start of his throwing motion; feet often not aligned with the target
• Inconsistent throwing platform overall and lacks control in the pocket
• Attempts too many throws that simply shouldn’t be made

Scouting Summary

Allar passes the eye test of an NFL quarterback, but the jury is still out on his film. A former pitcher, he once said he either struck batters out or walked them — and that’s how he plays quarterback right now: a lot of good, and a lot of regrets. His best throws are the best in the class, but he lacks consistency in how, when and why the ball comes out of his hands. Allar has starter-level tools, but he must show more respect for defenses and commit more fully to the fundamentals to reach his potential.

Garrett Nussmeier, LSU

Strengths

• Better arm strength than expected for his size — average by NFL standards
• Always a confident thrower
• Willing to take a hit to deliver a quality pass
• Anticipates windows and doesn’t need to see receivers come open
• Shows good timing and cadence through progressions

Weaknesses

• Undersized in both height and weight for an NFL quarterback
• Lacks escapability
• Willing to put the ball at risk to give receivers a chance — for better or worse

Scouting Summary

Nussmeier is the son of a former NFL quarterback, and it shows — even if you don’t recognize the name. He plays with confidence rooted in sound fundamentals, an understanding of defensive windows and solid zip on his throws. He’s a gunslinger, and with that comes the good and the bad. His smaller frame may be a limitation, but it’s hard not to want to give him a chance to lead an offense.

Nico Iamaleava, UCLA

Strengths

• NFL-level arm talent
• Quick on his feet — always on his toes in the pocket, ready to throw or take off
• Good mobility that keeps defenses honest
• Compact, efficient release — impressive given his long arms

Weaknesses

• Lower accuracy numbers in 2024; tends to miss high
• His slender build may raise durability concerns
• Frequently locks onto his primary read and forces throws

Scouting Summary

Iamaleava brings all the tools of an NFL quarterback: the height to see over the line, a long and powerful arm, a quick and compact release and twitchy footwork in the pocket. His accuracy and decision-making remain works in progress — he often locked onto primary reads in 2024 — but his tape already features several NFL-caliber throws. Improved efficiency in his new offense at UCLA could position him as a top prospect in the 2026 draft.

Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

Strengths

• Adequate NFL frame in both height and weight
• Good velocity on short and intermediate throws
• Displays natural touch on sideline passes, adding air when needed
• Shows patience when working through progressions

Weaknesses

• Lacks the type of running ability that forces defenses to account for him
• Shortened throwing motion with a high-finish release
• Becomes jittery under pressure
• His arm talent is adequate but not exceptional
• Currently struggles to identify zone defenders — more turnover-worthy plays than big-time throws

Scouting Summary

Mendoza looks the part of an NFL quarterback, with above-average size and sufficient arm strength. He flashes good touch, particularly on sideline throws. He also demonstrates the patience to work through progressions, although his lower-body mechanics can break down under pressure. As of this preseason evaluation, he must improve his vision against zone coverage — a key factor in his high rate of turnover-worthy plays.

Sawyer Robertson, Baylor

Strengths

• Prototypical NFL build
• Light on his feet for his size
• Not a true dual-threat, but can pick up yards and first downs with his legs
• NFL-level velocity on hole shots — both over the middle and toward the sideline
• Willing to step up in the pocket to evade pressure
• Frequently gives his receivers a chance to make plays “above the rim”

Weaknesses

• Wide leg kick in his release, likely a carryover from his baseball background
• Production and efficiency drop significantly under pressure
• Struggles to diagnose the range of off-coverage defenders

Scouting Summary

Robertson looks the part of an NFL quarterback. He has the size and arm strength to rip it at the next level. His wide kick in the follow-through — likely a carryover from his baseball days — doesn’t appear to impact his accuracy. While not a true dual-threat, he’s athletic enough to pick up first downs with his legs. He consistently gives his receivers a chance to win one-on-one, which leads to solid results against man coverage. However, he can struggle to assess the range of defenders in off-zone looks. If he can cut down on risky throws in those situations, he has a shot at becoming a top-100 draft selection.

Carson Beck, Miami (FL)

Strengths

• Slightly leaner frame, but solid overall size for the NFL
• Clean, smooth throwing fundamentals
• Confident throwing into the intermediate layer between zone defenders
• Generally accurate and effective on touch passes
• Understands how to manipulate defenders with his eyes

Weaknesses

• Can unravel under pressure at times
• Arm strength is average by NFL standards

Scouting Summary

Beck already looks like a pro in several areas. He has NFL size, polished fundamentals and the ability to play from under center. He shows a solid understanding of defensive structure and consistently layers throws between zones with confidence. While he does have some concerning moments under pressure, that’s not uncommon. Beck has the tools to project as a potential starter — the question is whether his consistency and upside are strong enough to warrant early draft capital.

Eli Holstein, Pittsburgh

Strengths

• Good size and stature for the NFL
• Well above-average arm strength
• Can make impressive throws between 10–19 yards, both inside and outside the numbers
• Not a dual-threat, but can pick up yards on the ground when left unaccounted for

Weaknesses

• Struggled under pressure in 2024, per PFF passing grades
• Poor big-time throw to turnover-worthy play ratio (12-to-20)
• Relies too heavily on the fastball — lacks touch throws

Scouting Summary

Holstein enters 2025 with just one year of starting experience, and it shows. He’s prone to turnover-worthy plays, lacks consistent touch, and his lower-body mechanics are still developing. However, his arm talent stands out — particularly on intermediate throws that flash NFL-level difficulty. While his performance under pressure needs work, there are flashes of pocket poise. Holstein is still raw but owns the foundational traits of a future NFL quarterback.

Connor Weigman, Houston

Strengths

• Adequate arm strength for the NFL
• Can throw from multiple arm angles, aided by a shortstop background
• Displays multi-sport athleticism — speed and agility stand out

Weaknesses

• Footwork can be erratic; open front foot often leads to accuracy issues
• Has a tendency to worsen pressure with rushed mechanics
• Poor decision-making throughout the 2024 season

Scouting Summary

Weigman shows flashes of NFL-caliber passing, but they’re just that — flashes. His tape is marked by high-variance play, with moments of hesitation and panicked mechanics under duress. While he possesses the necessary tools, his inconsistency and decision-making currently prevent him from being considered in the early rounds right now.

Miller Moss, Louisville

Strengths

• Natural touch passer with consistent accuracy
• Smooth, nimble feet to evade pressure and throw on the move
• Strong timing — syncs dropbacks, progressions and his release well

Weaknesses

• Undersized for the NFL quarterback position
• Arm strength is well below NFL standards
• Needs elite anticipation to overcome physical limitations

Scouting Summary

Moss faces an uphill battle to secure a roster spot due to his outlier size and lack of arm strength — both of which leave little room for error. However, he shows a high-level understanding of how to win with technique, timing, eye discipline and anticipation. His profile mirrors a potential Jake Browning-type outcome: a backup with the ability to step in and succeed in the right spot.

Luke Altmyer, Illinois

Strengths

• Smooth sidearm release with a flick-of-the-wrist finish
• Appears to have large hands with good grip and ball control
• Has a decent amount of experience operating under center

Weaknesses

• Low-percentile size for an NFL quarterback
• Below-average arm strength by pro standards
• Not a confident or effective deep-ball passer
• Took a high number of sacks in 2024

Scouting Summary

Altmyer is a confident operator in Illinois’ offense, showing a smooth release and solid touch in the short and intermediate areas. He’s comfortable under center and handles timing concepts well. However, his struggles with deep passing, subpar arm strength and poor sack avoidance raise questions about his ability to stand out among NFL-caliber quarterbacks.

Malachi Nelson, UTEP

Strengths

• Experience operating under center and from the pistol with play-action concepts
• Quick, twitchy throwing motion that generates good velocity

Weaknesses

• Very limited playing time throughout his college career
• Hesitant on film due to lack of live snaps
• Labrum surgery on his non-throwing arm lingered into his USC tenure

Scouting Summary

Nelson is a talented passer with a slender frame who needs to add weight to withstand NFL contact. However, with such limited playing experience, it’s difficult to evaluate him on an NFL scale at this stage. He has tools worth monitoring, but development and reps are essential before any firm projection.

Jake Retzlaff, Tulane

Strengths

• Undersized but densely built, which could support durability
• Clean, accurate passer inside 25 yards
• Confident attacking the intermediate middle of the field
• Quick release once the motion begins
• Has had some success as a short-yardage runner

Weaknesses

• Very low in NFL percentiles for both height and weight
• Can handle some QB power looks but isn’t a dynamic runner
• Open front foot and sidearm release hint at arm strength limitations — relies on full-body mechanics for velocity
• Struggles with accuracy when taking velocity off throws

Scouting Summary

Retzlaff lacks prototypical NFL size but carries a solid, compact build that may help his durability. He works well within 25 yards and shows confidence throwing into intermediate zone windows, especially over the middle. However, his arm strength appears limited — suggested by his open stance, sidearm release and the need to generate power with his whole body. His accuracy dipped notably on deeper throws and when required to throw with touch, raising concerns about consistency at the next level.

Darian Mensah, Duke

Strengths

• Wide base in his footwork while staying light on his toes
• Good feel and placement on touch passes

Weaknesses

• High time-to-throw average (3.30 seconds in 2024)
• Arm strength may be a concern at the next level
• Needs to use a full-body effort to drive the ball beyond 40–50 yards

Scouting Summary

Mensah is a cerebral quarterback with a high completion rate and a good understanding of the game. His touch passing stands out, though it often feels like a necessity given his limited arm strength. At this stage, his physical tools aren’t quite NFL-ready. He’ll need to get bigger and stronger to project as a viable pro prospect.

Sam Leavitt, Arizona State

Strengths

• Arm strength exceeds what his measurables suggest — above average for the NFL
• Best throws show NFL-level difficulty and velocity
• Ball comes out fast, tight and with strong pace
• Capable of big-time throws while on the move

Weaknesses

• Frequently fades throws off his back foot
• Over-reliant on fastballs; lacks consistent touch variation
• Often late on reads, leading to risky or forced throws
• Fundamentals lack consistency — not yet second nature, resulting in accuracy variance
• Avoids stepping up into a crowded pocket

Scouting Summary

Leavitt is a young, inexperienced quarterback who lacks polish — showing inconsistent mechanics, late reads and a habit of throwing off his back foot. However, his arm talent is undeniable. The ball explodes off his hand with NFL velocity, and he flashes high-level throws on the move. While he’s far from a finished product, his physical tools are the kind the NFL often bets on early in the draft process.

Cade Klubnik, Clemson

Strengths

• Natural touch passer
• Adequate arm strength for the NFL
• Understands what clean fundamentals look and feel like (though not always consistent)
• Athletic enough to keep defenses honest with RPOs and QB runs
• Proven winner at the high school and college levels
• Shows impressive layered throws in the intermediate range against zone coverage

Weaknesses

• Undersized for the NFL at both height and weight
• Follow-through can get cut short, often leading to high misses
• Must throw on his toes at times due to lack of height, impacting consistency
• Footwork and mechanics break down when throwing on the run
• Tends to bail quickly when pressured — quick release or scramble, rather than staying in the pocket

Scouting Summary

Klubnik brings a winner’s mentality, supported by consistent success at the high school and college levels. When his mechanics are clean, he’s an easy watch. But as a pro prospect, he faces natural limitations tied to his size. His lack of height forces him to stand on his toes and shortens his follow-through, affecting his placement. He has enough arm talent, but it often requires full-body effort. If he can become more consistent fundamentally, especially on the run, he is an intriguing athletic passer.

LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina

Strengths

• Impressive NFL size
• Above-average arm strength for the pro level
• Tough to bring down as both a passer and ball carrier
• Physical and effective as a runner and scrambler

Weaknesses

• Lacks feel for full-field progressions and checkdowns
• Struggles to identify zone defenders and their leverage
• Slow, clunky throwing motion
• Doesn’t reset his eyes to pass once he breaks the pocket
• Can get tight when taking velocity off his throws

Scouting Summary

Sellers is a physically gifted quarterback with ideal size, strong arm talent and notable running ability. His raw tools alone will earn him a long developmental leash. However, he currently lacks the feel and field vision needed to operate a pro-style passing game. He struggles to read defenses, often missing zone coverage cues and failing to progress through reads. While his playmaking ability on the ground is a real asset, he’ll need significant growth in decision-making, processing and mechanics to become a viable NFL quarterback. Sellers offers high upside but remains a long-term developmental prospect.

John Mateer, Oklahoma

Strengths

• Plays with a confident, aggressive style
• Natural athlete as a runner — looks to make defenders miss in space
• Snappy release generates a strong zip on short and intermediate throws
• Climbs the pocket well under pressure
• Shows a good feel for route timing and working through progressions

Weaknesses

• Measurables fall well below NFL standards
• Playmaker mentality as a runner doesn’t match his actual athleticism
• Unorthodox mechanics — leg kick and pirouette follow-through
• True sidearm release limits trajectory and ball placement consistency
• Currently throws with too much velocity and not enough touch

Scouting Summary

Mateer plays with an infectious confidence both as a passer and runner. His sidearm release and pitcher-style follow-through are unconventional, but they function well enough in the short and intermediate game. He’ll need to develop better touch on deep passes and clean up his mechanics to become more consistent. Mateer’s physical profile is a concern at the NFL level, but there’s a lot of Baker Mayfield in his game — a size outlier with an edge and live arm. Time will tell if he can showcase those traits in the SEC at Oklahoma.

Jalon Daniels, Kansas

Strengths

• Average arm talent by NFL standards
• Posted career highs in rushing yards, yards per carry, and missed tackles forced in 2024
• Willing to attack the intermediate middle of the field
• Stays light on his toes while scanning the field
• Experienced in option and RPO systems

Weaknesses

• Significantly undersized for an NFL quarterback
• In 2024, accuracy declined while turnover-worthy plays increased
• Needs to improve anticipation — currently waits to see receivers open before throwing

Scouting Summary

Daniels brings an unorthodox play style that can appear chaotic, yet often results in success. He has average NFL arm talent but would be an outlier in terms of height. A notable back injury caused him to miss most of the 2023 season. Right now, Daniels is intriguing for his big-play ability outside of structure, but he’ll need to become more consistent and learn to anticipate throws within structure to earn a real NFL opportunity.

Ty Simpson, Alabama

Strengths

• Decent athleticism for RPO concepts and QB power
• Adequate arm strength for the NFL level

Weaknesses

• Relies heavily on primary reads
• Retreats from pressure in the pocket, often unnecessarily
• Struggles to read post-snap safety rotations
• Accuracy is inconsistent

Scouting Summary

Simpson has the foundational tools of a future NFL quarterback, including mobility and escapability. However, he currently lacks live-game experience, consistency, and the ability to anticipate and process at a high level. He’s still a developmental prospect with physical upside, but he must grow mentally and mechanically to reach his potential.

Aidan Chiles, Michigan State

Strengths

• Solid build for the NFL
• Passes carry good zip — doesn’t lose velocity downfield
• Offers enough rushing ability to keep defenses honest
• Showed clear growth in reading defenses from Oregon State to Michigan State

Weaknesses

• Footwork is inconsistent, especially under pressure
• Tends to lock onto a single target
• Gets tense when sensing a big play opportunity, leading to poor ball placement

Scouting Summary

Chiles is an intriguing quarterback with a solid NFL frame and natural arm velocity. His development from Oregon State to Michigan State was notable, particularly in his ability to process defenses. However, he still needs refinement in his mechanics, decision-making, and poise under pressure. If he continues to build on his growth, Chiles could become a legitimate NFL prospect.

Jackson Arnold, Auburn

Strengths

• Experienced in RPO and option-based offenses
• Good athleticism for the quarterback position

Weaknesses

• Undersized by NFL standards
• Avoids standing in a crowded or muddied pocket
• Struggles under pressure
• Lacks anticipation and timing in progressions and route concepts

Scouting Summary

Arnold is a solid athlete with dual-threat capability and strong familiarity with RPO and option systems. However, as a passer, he currently lacks poise under pressure and struggles to anticipate throws between zones. With a fresh start at Auburn, he’ll have a chance to refine his game and prove he can take the next step as a true passing threat.

Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt

Strengths

• Plays every snap with maximum intensity and urgency
• Experienced in RPO and option offenses; a legitimate threat as a ball carrier
• Comfortable throwing on the move while keeping his eyes downfield

Weaknesses

• Significant size outlier — even for college, let alone the NFL
• Not a viable deep-ball passer beyond 40 yards
• Relies heavily on first read; quick to run when it’s not there
• Prone to batted passes due to height and release point

Scouting Summary

Pavia is the kind of player fans rally around — an undersized underdog who plays with grit and belief, often leading overmatched teams to surprising success. But at the pro level, he’ll face the same underdog status. His size is far below NFL norms, and while comparisons to Kyler Murray or Bryce Young may come up, he lacks Murray’s dynamic athleticism and Young’s passing polish. Still, Pavia offers RPO and option experience, a fearless running style and the kind of attitude that coaches and teammates respect. He projects as a Day 3 or UDFA type, but one likely to become a fan favorite wherever he lands.

Taylen Green, Arkansas

Strengths

• Good size for the NFL quarterback position
• Adequate arm strength
• Long-limbed but fluid athlete — capable of scrambling and making defenders miss

Weaknesses

• Inconsistent throwing fundamentals, both upper and lower body; leads to ball placement issues
• Struggles with pre-snap reads and coverage recognition, resulting in missed open receivers
• Slow release and elongated throwing motion
• Lacks anticipation; needs to see receivers come open before pulling the trigger
• Occasionally throws with a sidearm release
• Tends to rely on a one-read-and-run approach

Scouting Summary

Green is a strong athlete for his size, particularly at quarterback, with tools that flash at times. However, his development as a passer is still raw — marked by inconsistent mechanics, poor anticipation, and limited pre-snap processing. In his current state, Green may have more upside as a position convert to wide receiver or tight end, where his athletic traits could translate more effectively to the NFL.

Kevin Jennings, SMU

Strengths

• Shows decent mobility to escape pressure and extend plays to the sideline
• Adequate arm strength for short and intermediate throws

Weaknesses

• Measurables are significant outliers for the NFL
• Lower-body mechanics collapsed against Penn State — his biggest test of the season
• Needs a full-body effort to generate velocity on off-platform or quick throws
• Height limits his ability to make layered throws over the middle

Scouting Summary

Jennings is a fun and effective college quarterback. At the NCAA level, you can enjoy his slipperiness in the pocket and flashes of out-of-structure playmaking without worrying about his size or arm ceiling. However, through an NFL lens, Jennings lacks the physical tools — particularly in terms of size and arm talent — to meet the baseline required to play the position at the next level. He’ll be a clear underdog throughout the draft process, but his toughness and playmaking may earn him a shot in a camp setting.

This news was originally published on this post .

Tagged as:
College & Draft

Share on

email

Previous

trending_flat

London & The South look to seal Racing League title at Southwell

News Story

Next

trending_flat

FC Porto anuncia Pablo Rosario. Médio chega aos dragões a preço de saldo: por menos de 4M€

Sports