The 2026 National Football League Draft could see a significant number of quarterbacks selected early, according to a recent analysis by ESPN analyst Field Yates. As teams continue to value the quarterback position highly, there is an expectation that as many as six quarterbacks may be chosen in the first round of the draft.
Yates compiled a mock draft for the upcoming season and projected that six quarterbacks would go in the first round. This number would match records set previously in the 1983 National Football League Draft, which included players such as John Elway, Todd Blackledge, Jim Kelly, Tony Eason, Ken O’Brien and Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinee Dan Marino, as well as in 2024 with Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, Michael Penix Jr., J.J. McCarthy and Bo Nix.
According to Yates’s predictions, Texas quarterback Arch Manning could be selected No. 1 overall by the Cleveland Browns. However, it remains possible that Manning will choose to return to Texas following the 2025 season.
“Yes, Archie Manning recently stated that his grandson will stay at Texas for at least two seasons, a belief many in the scouting community share. But ultimately, Arch is eligible to declare in 2026, and if he performs up to his potential, he might just have to consider the NFL leap in this coming draft class,” Yates wrote. “So I’m including him … for now.”
Other quarterbacks forecasted by Yates to go early include LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina) at No. 2 to the New York Jets; Cade Klubnik (Clemson) at No. 3 to the New Orleans Saints; Sam Leavitt (Arizona State) at No. 9 to the Los Angeles Rams; Drew Allar (Penn State) at No. 11 to the Indianapolis Colts; and Garrett Nussmeier (Louisiana State University) at No. 16 to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Manning, Nussmeier and Klubnik are regarded by analysts as leading prospects among collegiate quarterbacks entering this season. Sellers has also drawn interest due to his dual-threat abilities while Allar and Leavitt have received recognition for their performances with Penn State and Arizona State respectively.
It is possible some of these prospects could move into or out of first-round contention depending on their performances during the college football season.
No quotations from Dan Marino were included or referenced outside recitation of historical facts regarding past quarterback draft classes.
