While there’s a decent amount of mystery regarding what will happen in the 2026 NFL Draft, there’s really none at the top, where it’s virtually inconceivable that the Las Vegas Raiders will do or consider anything aside from picking former Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall selection.
After that?
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Though a group of blue-chip players has coalesced, it wouldn’t surprise anyone if Mendoza is the only passer taken in Round 1. And while most draft observers regard Alabama’s Ty Simpson as the second-best QB available this year, the cluster of signal-callers following him will appeal to different teams in various ways.
But there’s little doubt quite a few will be chosen – possibly 10 over the draft’s second and third days – given the league is never going to stop swinging in a bid to find the next diamond in the rough, if not necessarily the next Tom Brady in Round 6, while resupplying a position perpetually in high demand.
“(W)e will draft quarterbacks every year, if not every other year because I think you have to. If you hit on a guy, great,” Miami GM Jon-Eric Sullivan, who made his professional bones in Green Bay, said after being hired in January. “If you hit on two, you have trade value.
“I think if you look at the history of the Green Bay Packers all the way back to (Hall of Fame GM) Ron Wolf – I mean, (Hall of Fame QB) Brett Favre’s backups were Matt Hasselbeck, Kurt Warner, Aaron Brooks, Ty Detmer, you can go on down the line. I can’t say enough about the importance of it, and we’ll be very active in acquiring quarterbacks to make sure that that room is deep – as deep as we can make it.”
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So even though the Dolphins signed Malik Willis to a three-year, $67.5 million contract in March, don’t be surprised at all if Sullivan hedges his bet on a largely unproven commodity with a low-end flier on someone else who might hit the lottery for the Fins. (And don’t forget about the time the Seahawks signed QB Matt Flynn to be their starter during free agency 14 years ago – by GM John Schneider, who also grew up professionally in Green Bay – but drafted Russell Wilson in the third round a month later in the 2012 draft. The rest is history.)
While not every club will be in the draft market for a quarterback this year, don’t be surprised if more than you might assume consider one. With that in mind, let’s rank all 32 teams’ needs at pro sports’ most important position, ranked least to most – and within tiers – ahead of the 2026 draft:
Very low priority
32. Kansas City Chiefs
Given the choice, would any team really want anyone besides Patrick Mahomes – even as he recovers from a ripped-up knee – behind center? Even as he targets a Week 1 return, K.C. has continued its typical pattern of parking a veteran behind Mahomes, Justin Fields obtained for that purpose in 2026. Beyond that, Chris Oladokun was OK while making his first two NFL starts late last season, while Jake Haener could be in deep storage as QB4. In sum, this is an operation far more focused on getting back to the playoffs than trying to find developmental snaps for a kid who will never play here.
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31. Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow is obviously spectacular. He’s also had durability issues over the course of his six seasons. As such, Cincy currently has three insurance policies – though two are about to run out (Joe Flacco, Josh Johnson) and one is inexperienced (Sean Clifford). Still, really not much reason to add a fifth arm to the mix right now.
30. Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen was the league’s MVP in 2024 and has received MVP votes in each of the past four seasons. Veteran backup Kyle Allen was signed for the next two seasons, and Shane Buechele is also in reserve. For a team that’s clearly focused on winning a Super Bowl immediately, its draft capital would be best directed elsewhere than on a young arm.
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29. San Francisco 49ers
With Mac Jones evidently set to back Brock Purdy up for one more year, the Niners are in fine shape. Adrian Martinez and Kurtis Rourke, Mendoza’s predecessor at IU, are on hand to provide further depth.
28. Seattle Seahawks
Sam Darnold not only proved he’s a franchise quarterback in 2025 but a Lombardi-caliber one. While veteran Drew Lock has his back, Seattle continues to groom Jalen Milroe, a hyper-athletic third-rounder in 2025 who might even earn a role in special packages at some point if he earns the trust of new coordinator Brian Fleury.
27. Tennessee Titans
They’re obviously all in with Cam Ward, last year’s No. 1 overall pick, and already signed an experienced QB2 (Mitch Trubisky) to hold the clipboard (tablet?) for the next two years. Neither Will Levis nor Hendon Hooker has managed to convert college potential into sustained professional success, and it seems unlikely both – and maybe neither – will make the final 53-man roster. If Levis gets traded, maybe that opens a spot – perhaps even for a local guy like the University of Tennessee’s Joey Aguilar.
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26. Jacksonville Jaguars
They’ve got an (increasingly) established starter (Trevor Lawrence), seasoned understudy (Nick Mullens) and a young guy to mold (Carter Bradley). Pretty optimal mixture when it comes to QB depth charts.
25. New Orleans Saints
Who knew? But then-rookie Tyler Shough certainly stabilized this team behind center in 2025 and appears like he’ll get a deserved shot as the long-term solution. With Zach Wilson and Spencer Rattler in the bullpen, not much need to pursue more relievers at present.
24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield hasn’t missed a start since arriving in Tampa three years ago. Tweaking the depth chart beyond Jake Browning and Connor Bazelak, unless a truly compelling opportunity arises, is probably unnecessary.
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23. Dallas Cowboys
Can you believe Dak Prescott is about to be 33 and embarking on his 11th season? As such – along with Prescott’s contract, which still averages a record $60 million annually – that should mean “America’s Team” should be doing everything it can to win now. And given Jerry Jones acquired raw but tantalizing Joe Milton in a trade last year and just signed Sam Howell last month, Dallas doesn’t need to dabble further at the position.
22. Minnesota Vikings
They have Max Brosmer … and three former top 10 draft picks (Kyler Murray, J.J. McCarthy and Carson Wentz). Murray’s on a one-year deal largely funded by the Cardinals but seems like the prohibitive starter, though the Vikes won’t publicly say as much. McCarthy, the 10th overall selection two years ago, seems to realistically be in a battle for the QB2 role – and maybe even his roster spot. Regardless, enough to sort through here for 2026 that Minnesota likely doesn’t need to add another layer of quarterback complexity – for now.
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Depth deliberation?
21. Atlanta Falcons
A little bit of Vikings lite in the ATL, Dolphins castoff Tua Tagovailoa likely to displace 2024 first-rounder Michael Penix Jr. as the starter – at least at the beginning of the season given Penix is rehabbing from a(nother) knee injury and a disappointing 2025 campaign. Trevor Siemian is also in reserve. With only five picks currently at their disposal, hard to see Atlanta’s new regime earmarking one for a passer … this year.
20. Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert is a total stud – which is probably insufficient praise as far as coach Jim Harbaugh is concerned. Yet given this team’s apparent unwillingness to sign a veteran backup, maybe it considers a young guy to hold that role down for a while given neither Trey Lance nor DJ Uiagalelei seem like long-term QB2 fixes. Perhaps someone like Clemson’s Cade Klubnik or Illinois’ Luke Altmyer could be.
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19. Denver Broncos
They’re set at QB1 with Bo Nix, their first-rounder two years ago and one who led the Broncos to the AFC’s No. 1 playoff seed last season before getting hurt in the postseason. But as many nice things as were said about Jarrett Stidham before the AFC championship game, maybe Denver could do a little better than him and Sam Ehlinger as the backups?
18. Houston Texans
They just picked up C.J. Stroud’s fifth-year option – weeks after GM Nick Caserio went to bat for him despite Stroud’s awful 2025 postseason. Behind him are Davis Mills, one of the league’s premier backups – he went 3-0 last season, helping to spark the Texans’ midseason turnaround – and Graham Mertz, a sixth-round selection a year ago. Could Caserio consider trading Mills in the final year of his contract? Could a player he likes fall to a point where he can’t square passing? Anything can happen in the NFL, but another quarterback in Houston this season seems far-fetched.
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17. Indianapolis Colts
Is Daniel Jones really the answer here? For the next two years – presumably anyway − yes. As for Anthony Richardson? The No. 4 pick of the 2023 draft is ready for a fresh start – and maybe that comes via trade on draft weekend. Otherwise? Riley Leonard and Seth Henigan both entered the league last year, Leonard flashing some potential in spot duty. In a nutshell, things are probably a bit fluid in Indy, though another vet in the QB room probably makes more sense – but maybe not until Richardson moves on.
16. Chicago Bears
It’s worth wondering if they spin highly regarded backup Tyson Bagent off for decent draft compensation at some point … but that point probably isn’t this year. Case Keenum is also on hand to lend moral support to QB1 Caleb Williams and Bagent.
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15. Washington Commanders
Jayden Daniels, the 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year, is entrenched. And the franchise seems content to run it back with Marcus Mariota and Sam Hartman behind him. Yet GM Adam Peters was in San Francisco when the 49ers made Purdy “Mr. Irrelevant” in 2022, so you never know if the right guy falls.
14. Miami Dolphins
With 11 picks to burn, Sullivan, despite his team’s multitudinous needs, certainly has the draft currency to get another young alternative behind Willis. However it might make more sense to sign a veteran backup – say Tyrod Taylor or Russell Wilson – given the Dolphins already have Quinn Ewers and Cam Miller, who were both drafted last year (Miller by the Raiders), already on the roster.
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13. Green Bay Packers
With Willis now gone, the Pack are now hoping that Desmond Ridder or Kyle McCord can answer the call if Jordan Love misses a few games … as he has the past two seasons. Not hard to make a case for the organization that has long believed in continually reinvesting at quarterback during the draft to do so again.
12. New England Patriots
When you just went to the Super Bowl, you typically don’t have a ton of holes – and the Pats don’t, either. However their safety net behind 2025 league MVP runner-up Drake Maye is currently Tommy DeVito … and only DeVito. Maybe an organization that took Milton two years ago and spun him off to Dallas might consider an uber-athlete like Arkansas’ Taylen Green.
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11. Baltimore Ravens
They’re in a similar situation to New England, two-time MVP Lamar Jackson set to be backstopped for the next two seasons by the highly capable Snoop Huntley. However Jackson is more than five years Maye’s senior and coming off a disappointing 2025 campaign. Green or perhaps North Dakota State’s Cole Payton could be nifty fits here given both are plus athletes who might enable Baltimore to keep an offense designed around Jackson in place, to some degree, if he and Huntley both went down.
10. New York Giants
Sophomore Jaxson Dart is obviously the future here, and Jameis Winston cleary isn’t – even if the latter is a valued veteran who willingly embraces his backup role, if only for one more year contractually. And until new coach John Harbaugh gets Dart’s hellbent playing style under control, Big Blue is going to need more arms in reserve, whether they come from the draft or the street.
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9. Carolina Panthers
After trading Andy Dalton to the Eagles, they’re left with starter Bryce Young and backup Kenny Pickett, who’s on a one-year deal. This might be a nice spot for a guy like LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier or Miami’s Carson Beck to settle in as a backup with the prospect of developing into a starter – in Charlotte or elsewhere – down the line.
8. Detroit Lions
Starter Jared Goff and backup Teddy Bridgewater are both north of 31. Maybe the Lions hire a camp arm at some point … or maybe they spend a pick on someone like Baylor’s Sawyer Robertson.
If the right circumstances arise
Jan 8, 2026; Glendale, AZ, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck (11) flexes his arms as he celebrates against the Mississippi Rebels during the 2026 Fiesta Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
7. Philadelphia Eagles
They just traded for gray(red)beard Dalton but were reportedly disinclined to deal Tanner McKee, who turns 26 later this month, during this offseason. Neither is under contract past 2026. Starter Jalen Hurts is, though there’s suddenly nearly as much smoke surrounding his future in Philly as there is billowing around WR A.J. Brown. Are the Eagles about to part with the Super Bowl 59 MVP? Not necessarily. But don’t be shocked if EVP/GM Howie Roseman stashes a guy like Penn State’s physically gifted Drew Allar behind Hurts … who was the just-in-case guy himself behind Wentz once upon a time.
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6. Los Angeles Rams
The break-in-case-of-emergency option is currently Stetson Bennett IV, which might be a perfectly reasonable fallback … during the 2026 season … for a week or two. But if reigning MVP Matthew Stafford retires some time in the next year, then this franchise will have to pivot somewhere. Hard. Simpson seemed like an ideal pick here – before the Rams traded their second first-round selection to Kansas City for CB Trent McDuffie last month. Maybe Simpson still arrives via a different route, yet it seems more likely that GM Les Snead and coach Sean McVay will be all in on 2026 instead as they try to take advantage of whatever time Stafford has left.
5. Cleveland Browns
They seem content to let Shedeur Sanders, last year’s highly scrutinized fifth-rounder, and holdover Deshaun Watson duke it out for QB1 duties in 2026 … before quite possibly reassessing in 2027, when Watson’s widely panned contract here finally runs out. Dillon Gabriel, a third-rounder a year ago, also remains on the depth chart. But if Simpson slides to, say, the Browns’ 39th spot? Never say never.
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4. New York Jets
They pick second overall, but it appears they’re setting themselves up to take their next shot on a franchise quarterback in the 2027 draft – which is expected to be as loaded with talent at the position as this year’s crop seems to be deficient with top-end ability beyond Mendoza. And while there’s been speculation that the Jets might consider Simpson, it seems more likely that would potentially happen in the second round than with one of the NYJ’s two first-round picks – meaning they wouldn’t be deeply tied to him even if he does come to The Big Apple. They’d be even less invested by taking a player like Beck, Allar or Nussmeier further down the board yet could strike gold with any of them. Regardless, journeymen Geno Smith and Bailey Zappe aren’t long-term answers nor, likely, is Brady Cook, who didn’t distinguish himself in four starts as an undrafted rookie in 2025.
Wild card?
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
They own the 21st overall pick. The QBs currently on their roster are longtime backup Mason Rudolph and Will Howard, who didn’t take a snap as a rookie in 2025. As for Aaron Rodgers? He’s taking his sweet time – again – before publicly announcing whether or not he’ll return for a 22nd NFL season, though team owner Art Rooney II recently expressed that he expects to have a decision from the four-time league MVP before the draft commences in the Steel City. If Rodgers decides to retire? Simpson might immediately come into play here given the reigning AFC North champs are a veteran squad built to win now. If Rodgers decides to return? Simpson might still be in play given Simpson could be targeted as a successor for an organization that typically doesn’t choose early enough in the draft to enlist quarterbacks who might have the chops to be long-term starters.
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High priority?
2. Arizona Cardinals
With Murray in Minnesota, they’re left with Jacoby Brissett, Gardner Minshew II and Kedon Slovis, so … Will GM Monti Ossenfort target Simpson? Hard to believe it would be with the No. 3 overall pick, but it would make sense via trade or certainly at No. 34. Maybe the Cards go after Allar, Beck or Nussmeier instead. What’s clear is that the long-term starter isn’t currently on the roster, nor are the Cards seemingly as well positioned as a team like the Jets to get a top passer in 2027 – though getting beaten up in the NFC West will help that cause. Stay tuned.
High priority
1. Las Vegas Raiders
Mendoza will join Kirk Cousins and Aidan O’Connell in what shapes up as perhaps the unlikeliest trio of quarterbacks to “read the playbook by the light of a jukebox” as Raiders legend Kenny Stabler once put it. But while Mendoza, Cousins and AOC don’t have much of a swashbuckling factor, they certainly could help this organization finally get consistently back on a winning track – Cousins’ presence sure to ease the pressure on Mendoza off (and maybe on) the field as he embarks on a career immediately imbued with high expectations.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL draft quarterbacks: Ranking all 32 teams’ need at position in 2026
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