Quick Links: Running Backs | Wide Receivers | Quarterbacks and Tight Ends
The first "Common Era" draft in NFL history took place over two days in March of 1967 at the Gotham Hotel in New York City. It took place in a smoke-filled conference room in front of exactly zero cameras. Batman was the emcee.
Get it? Batman? Gotham? This column is off to quite the start.
Since then, the draft has exploded. First, it was televised. Then, fans were permitted to attend. It grew and grew and grew, giving us some great moments along the way.
Never change, Mel.
Now, the NFL Draft is a three-day carnival that moves all over the country. This year, it is in Pittsburgh, and the city expects upwards of 700,000 fans to travel to Western Pennsylvania to see the event live. There will be hours upon hours of TV coverage on multiple networks. It will draw ratings that Major League Baseball dreams about—for postseason games. It's one of the biggest days on the NFL calendar.
It's a huge day on the fantasy football calendar as well. Just as NFL fans hope their favorite teams land the players they covet, fantasy managers dream of their favorite prospects landing in situations that will boost their value.
Both are often disappointed. But such is life.
No position drives the NFL draft like quarterback. As recently as two years ago, six of the first 12 picks were signal-callers. But for quarterback-needy teams, this ain't the year. The first overall pick will all but certainly be Indiana's Fernando Mendoza, but he may be the only quarterback taken in Round 1. It's also not a great year to need a tight end—there's no Kyle Pitts Sr. or Brock Bowers in the Class of 2026.
But there could still be some quarterbacks and tight ends from this year's draft who will go on to make a fantasy dent—if not now, then down the road.
Especially if they land in an ideal spot.
Ideal Quarterback Fantasy Landing Spots
Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
Scout's Take
Attaching isolated or singular routes behind run-game concepts has been beneficial for Mendoza, who is comfortable with reads that put single defenders in conflict. He has a fiery, three-quarters throwing release, making Mendoza's mechanics and the Hoosiers' passing game an ideal marriage. His 79.2% adjusted completion percentage ranked second in the country in 2025. He was also phenomenal in the red zone, with his 27 touchdowns (without an interception) being the most in the FBS, three ahead of Duke's Darian Mensah. – Jordan Reid, ESPN
Ideal Landing Spot: Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders may not be the best spot for Mendoza, but that's where he's headed. The 6'5", 225-pounder may not start right away after the Raiders signed Kirk Cousins, but Mendoza's time is coming sooner rather than later. He isn't an elite arm talent, but Mendoza has the accuracy, toughness, and mobility to be a plus-starter in the NFL—provided the Raiders build a decent team around him.
Ty Simpson, Alabama
Scout's Take
Simpson is best suited to play in a West Coast system (think of NFL coaches like Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVay, Kevin O'Connell, Mike LaFleur, and Mike McDaniel). He's a coach's son, has been around ball his entire life, and has a brilliant football mind. If he's put in the right situation, Simpson can develop into a good starting quarterback in the league. – Todd McShay, The Ringer
Ideal Landing Spot: Pittsburgh Steelers
With just 15 starts in college, Simpson isn't especially close to being ready to start in the NFL, but over the first half of last season, it can be argued that no quarterback in college football played better. Assuming that Aaron Rodgers returns to Pittsburgh in 2026, Simpson could redshirt behind the four-time MVP before taking over an offense that suits what he does well in 2027.
Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
Scout's Take
"Garrett Nussmeier is a pro-ready quarterback prospect and a natural thrower. His playing style resembles a pass-first point guard on the NBA hardwood. Nussmeier is a timing and rhythm quarterback who delivers highly catchable passes at all three levels of the field. He is an excellent fit for teams that prioritize the quick passing game. Nussmeier will work particularly well inside a West Coast offensive system." – Damian Parson, Bleacher Report
Ideal Landing Spot: Arizona Cardinals
Entering the 2025 season, there was talk that the 6'2", 203-pounder could be the first overall pick in this year's draft after an excellent junior year. But a core muscle injury caused Nussmeier's numbers to plummet last year, casting doubt over his draft stock. If Nussmeier can cut down on mistakes and learn to read defenses better, he has the arm talent to be a capable starter. But he'll just as likely spend his professional career as a backup.
Drew Allar, Penn State
Scout's Take
"It's easy to see why teams could be willing to take a shot on Allar. His footwork problems and decision-making are coachable, and something that comes with more reps and comfortability in the offense. Allar is the ultimate lottery ticket in this year's quarterback class, and the return has the potential to change a team's entire trajectory." – Joey Bray, SB Nation
Ideal Landing Spot: New York Jets
Allar has the size that NFL teams covet at 6'5" and 228 pounds, and he probably has the strongest arm of any quarterback in this draft class. But Allar was inconsistent last year. His footwork and mechanics can falter when he's pressured, and he forces some throws. Allar is a "project" quarterback who has both a high ceiling and a low floor, but the potential would appeal to QB-needy teams like the Jets
Taylen Green, Arkansas
Scout's Take
"Green is a genuine dual-threat quarterback, showcased by his 4.36 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. In terms of official times, this is the third-fastest ever recorded by a quarterback, behind only Michael Vick and Reggie McNeal. The Lewisville, Texas native was second in rushing for the Razorbacks with 777 yards and tied for a team high eight rushing touchdowns. But while Green is a genuine threat with his legs, he also has a lot of upside as a passer." -- Luke Gray, FanSided
Ideal Landing Spot: Baltimore Ravens
Green's rushing ability has fantasy managers drooling, but the cold, harsh reality is that the 6'6" 229-pounder is a Day 3 prospect who is raw as a passer and was prone to making mistakes in college, tossing 35 career interceptions. It's possible that Green could be the latest Day 3 prospect to exceed expectations, but his best bet may be playing in a scheme where he backs up another running quarterback.
