Alright, let’s be honest with each other, reader.
No matter how much of a contrarian I try to be, we both know that the Las Vegas Raiders are taking Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft this Thursday.
Mendoza might already be going to bed in a Raiders silver and black uniform for all we know, helmet included, getting ready for the big night.
And for the QB2 slot at the draft, unless there is a major shift, all signs point to Alabama Crimson Tide signal-caller Ty Simpson. Although it’s not assured he will go in the first round, the consensus has him either being a late Thursday night pick or someone getting him in the early second on Friday.
So, who is the third-best quarterback of this year’s class?
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There are four names continually popping up as potential QB3s on day two or day three of the event.
The arguable leader at that spot is Carson Beck, who faced Mendoza in the College Football Playoff national title game. A few years ago, Beck was projected to be a possible No. 1 pick like Mendoza. But his consistency and lack of explosiveness have landed him outside of first-round likelihood.
The next two players are extremely similar: LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier and Penn State’s Drew Allar. Two players a year ago who many pundits believed could be in the top five of the draft, but injuries and, overall, a downturn in their play have left the big-armed duo on the outside looking in of Thursday’s selections.
Finally, the most intriguing of the quartet is North Dakota State’s athletic monster, Cole Payton. In terms of readiness, he is behind the other three by quite a bit, but in terms of raw skill and ceiling, he might have the highest in the entire class, including Simpson and Mendoza.
Will any of them break into the first round?
We’ll have to tune in on Thursday to find out.
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