2026 Draft: Quarterbacks

[manxman2601]

As an IU grad, I am riding high these days and have Mendosa mania!

Has the size (6'5"), footwork, accuracy (75%), ability to fire through tight windows, touch, play-action passing, ability to throw on the run, decent mobility, high IQ, high character, and arm strength to go top 3 for sure.

There was a comment about relatively few deep balls, and that's true, likely because IU has a O line of road grader run blockers who are less adept at pass protection, so they get it out fast. That might be the team's main weakness, facing teams with awesome pass rushes., though Oregon qualifies, and they handled it (at Oregon, no less). He shows the arm strength on quick outs to the strong side sideline, a throw most college QBs won't try, and especially in play action he has shown the deep ball touch more often in recent games, with some drop-it-in-the-bucket long strikes with touch and as accurate as a handoff.

I prefer Ty Simpson marginally, but that final drive from Mendoza was very impressive. I don't think he's a top 10 in the NFL impressive but a could be a long-term starter for a team.

 

[mayoclinic]

 

[PatsFan2]

...

 

[mayoclinic]

https://atozsports.com/nfl-draft/arch-manning-recent-growth-qb1-atop-the-2026-nfl-draft/

Please. This draft needs some Arch Manning lunacy to spice it up.

 

[Clonamery]

https://atozsports.com/nfl-draft/arch-manning-recent-growth-qb1-atop-the-2026-nfl-draft/

Please. This draft needs some Arch Manning lunacy to spice it up.

Get the Uncles onboard.

 

[manxman2601]

https://atozsports.com/nfl-draft/arch-manning-recent-growth-qb1-atop-the-2026-nfl-draft/

Please. This draft needs some Arch Manning lunacy to spice it up.

He has been much better but should wait until next year. The only down side to that is that the competition for 1st overall will be greater next year with the likes of Sayin being draft eligible.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

How does Bryce Underwood only have 7 passing TDs in 10 games?

 

[manxman2601]

How does Bryce Underwood only have 7 passing TDs in 10 games?

They don't get him to throw the ball and he's not very good when he does. To be fair, I haven't seen all his games but he's a let down when I have. I also don't think he's got very much around him. That doesn't mean I don't think he'll be good, I'm aware he's only a freshman but it certainly doesn't appear that the coaching staff trust him to control a game.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

They don't get him to throw the ball and he's not very good when he does. To be fair, I haven't seen all his games but he's a let down when I have. I also don't think he's got very much around him. That doesn't mean I don't think he'll be good, I'm aware he's only a freshman but it certainly doesn't appear that the coaching staff trust him to control a game.

Hmmm. Where have we seen that before?

 

[manxman2601]

 

[mayoclinic]

Stein has been mentioned as a Florida candidate.

 

[mayoclinic]

 

[mayoclinic]

 

[mayoclinic]

NFL Confidential: Scouts Say Arch Manning Would Be No. 1 QB in 2026 Draft | Fox Sports

Arch Manning isn’t expected to enter the 2026 NFL Draft. But if he did, some NFL evaluators believe he’d be the first QB to come off the board.

amp.foxsports.com

Arch to the Jete, please.

 

[Uptown]

 

[mayoclinic]

Maybe I've been giving too much credence to James Foster.

I think we're a long way from anointing either Ward or Shough a "franchise QB".

 

[Clonamery]

Maybe I've been giving too much credence to James Foster.

I think we're a long way from anointing either Ward or Shpugh a "franchise QB".

When I read that I read it with my sarcastic/snark NE voice.

 

[mayoclinic]

When I read that I read it with my sarcastic/snark NE voice.

I ran it through my very sensitive sarcasm filter, and wasn't certain.

Shough had a good game yesterday, went 22/27 for 333 yards with 2 TDs and 0 Ints. He had a passer rating of 142.7 and a QBR of 82. Good game, not anything to be sarcastic about, but I'm certainly not ready to call him a non-sarcastic "franchise QB".

Ward had more pedestrian numbers: 21/40 for 251 yards with 2 TDs and 0 Ints.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I ran it through my very sensitive sarcasm filter, and wasn't certain.

Shough had a good game yesterday, went 22/27 for 333 yards with 2 TDs and 0 Ints. He had a passer rating of 142.7 and a QBR of 82. Good game, not anything to be sarcastic about, but I'm certainly not ready to call him a non-sarcastic "franchise QB".

Ward had more pedestrian numbers: 21/40 for 251 yards with 2 TDs and 0 Ints.

Shough won his last 4 games (weak teams) but his completion % on the year is 68% which is good. He is learning and growing. I have not watched him, but his stats are good for a rookie. Has the physical traits, 6'5", 220 lbs., big boys sometimes take longer to harness their throwing motion (Josh Allen).

 

[Clonamery]

Shough won his last 4 games (weak teams) but his completion % on the year is 68% which is good. He is learning and growing. I have not watched him, but his stats are good for a rookie. Has the physical traits, 6'5", 220 lbs., big boys sometimes take longer to harness their throwing motion (Josh Allen).

He's a win now kinda guy.