The 2026 NFL Draft concluded with an underwhelming quarterback class, highlighted by Ty Simpson being picked by the Rams and Garrett Nussmeier falling to seventh. An analysis of the best rookie quarterback fits for success in the NFL is now underway.
Key points
2026 NFL Draft concluded with an underwhelming quarterback class
Ty Simpson was saved by the Los Angeles Rams in Round 1
Garrett Nussmeier fell to seventh overall
No quarterbacks were selected in the second round
Analysis of rookie quarterback fits for success is underway
The 2026 NFL Draft has reached its conclusion, and with it, we've closed the book on one of the most underwhelming quarterback classes in recent memory.
It didn't quite play out how we imagined. Ty Simpson's floundering stock was saved by the Los Angeles Rams in the middle of Round 1, but Garrett Nussmeier fell to seventh. No quarterbacks went in the second, the three from the third round went too early, and a smattering of Day 3 hopefuls found their new homes.
As those passers get acclimated to the next level, it's worth investigating which ones are set up for success in 2026 and beyond.
Morton has a real shot at being New England's backup quarterback this season. The quarterback room lacks a reliable veteran and his main competition is Tommy DeVito -- it's a winnable battle.
However, we know that Morton isn't getting real playing time unless something goes seriously wrong; and even in this event, a competitive team may prefer an outside veteran. If he does play, he's still operating with a below-average receiving corps, a changing offensive line, and a coaching staff that may have some turbulence in its future.
Q&A
Who were the top rookie quarterbacks selected in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Ty Simpson was selected by the Los Angeles Rams, while Garrett Nussmeier fell to seventh overall.
What factors contributed to the 2026 NFL Draft being underwhelming for quarterbacks?
The draft featured no quarterbacks selected in the second round and several early picks that did not meet expectations.
Which teams are best positioned for rookie quarterback success in 2026?
The article explores various rookie quarterback fits, focusing on which teams provide the best opportunities for success.
What does the future hold for the rookie quarterbacks from the 2026 NFL Draft?
As these quarterbacks acclimate to the NFL, their potential for success will depend on their landing spots and team support.
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Morton's ceiling is being a decent second-string quarterback, but he may be better served by being the gameday inactive for a season instead of being thrust into relief work.
For all the talent added in this class, the Jets' process wasn't always ideal. Adding Klubnik in the fourth was a reach, trading up for the right to do so was worse, and the move reeks of offensive coordinator Frank Reich taking the reins for a pick.
None of that makes his fit with the New York worse. But neither the current coaching staff nor the depth chart conjures up much optimism.
Klubnik is a developmental backup, which means it'll likely be more than just Geno Smith in his path to playing time. He lacks Smith's aggression and effectiveness downfield, and the change of pace to a more RPO-centric offense would be more about keeping the offense afloat than fostering development.
From a long-term perspective, a bad season from the Jets would mean a second coaching staff and, potentially, a regime looking to replace its entire quarterback room. This attempt at hitting big feels ill-fated from the start.
Incompetence might stunt Klubnik's development in East Rutherford. It'll threaten to do the same to Taylen Green in Cleveland.
Todd Monken is an excellent offensive mind and a good professor for any young quarterback. Still, he'll be entering the league's most chaotic quarterback room, with little recourse in the form of ideal veteran mentorship.
The spotlight will once again be on Cleveland's quarterback controversy, and by nature of being on the Browns, there's a decent chance Green sees playing time in Year 1. His experience and raw physical tools will help him tread water, but playing with multiple rookie receivers and a new offensive line could make life more difficult, especially in negative game scripts.
Taking Beck in the third round was one of Day 2's most curious selections, and head coach Mike LaFleur's lack of conviction about the plan for his development isn't making anyone more optimistic.
Arizona has some weapons at its disposal, especially after drafting running back Jeremiyah Love in Round 1. Trey McBride headlines a crop of pass catchers that lacks juice on the perimeter, and the Cardinals will hope an offseason's worth of additions helps remodel the offensive line.
As for Beck, he remains little more than leverage against Jacoby Brissett. The veteran is a suitable mentor, but Beck's pro-readiness might make him a candidate to start ahead of schedule. Beck doesn't have the tools to cheat defenses, and with the test only getting more difficult, it's hard to envision him having significant success as a rookie.
With a first-year head coach feeling the heat of his new gig, there's a chance Beck gets into game action, struggles, and is permanently relegated to second-string duties. Arizona is neither the best short- nor long-term home for Beck's development.
There's a cap to Kaliakmanis' fit with Washington because of Jayden Daniels. When healthy, he's a star, and the Commanders' entire competitive window rests upon him.
With that said, Kaliakmanis is uniquely equipped to be a strong backup quarterback from the jump. He has plenty of experience against Big Ten defenses and grew into the aggression that his arm talent demands in Piscataway. Kaliakmanis struggles with consistency under pressure, although he has a live arm and a nice feel for nuance as a decision-maker.
Daniels' (and Marcus Mariota's) injury history might accelerate Kaliakmanis' debut, but if he's seeing the field, he'll do so with a strong supporting cast. Terry McLaurin, Luke McCaffrey, and Antonio Williams are a fun start to a receiving corps. Throw in a good offensive line, and a pro-ready passer would be able to find success.
We're about to find out whether the Steelers' steady hand left with former head coach Mike Tomlin.
An uninspiring quarterback room isn't an ideal starting point, but Allar will have the chance to learn behind Mason Rudolph and, potentially, Aaron Rodgers. Head coach Mike McCarthy isn't necessarily innovative, but he helped both Aaron Rodgers and Dak Prescott.
If the futility of Pittsburgh's quarterback situation pushes Allar into action, he'll be playing with a playoff-worthy roster. The defense should keep game scripts fairly favorable, and the trio of DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., and Germie Bernard is an excellent balance of potency, physicality, and nuance. I like the Steelers' offensive line, too, and a healthy commitment to the run game should keep Allar upright.
All things considered, Fernando Mendoza could have landed in a worse spot. Klint Kubiak is an exciting offensive coach who is tied to Mendoza's success, rather than a lame-duck coach more likely to prioritize short-term gains.
The supporting cast isn't great -- especially at receiver -- but this team's identity will begin on the ground. Two star linemen and Ashton Jeanty pave quite the path to a strong ground game. Of course, tight end Brock Bowers headlining a receiving corps is lots of fun, too.
Parity suggests that Mendoza is behind the eight ball, but this spot is better than several recent environments for No. 1 picks like Cam Ward, Caleb Williams, and Trevor Lawrence. That gives him a head start, and voices like Kirk Cousins and Tom Brady are bound to be helpful.
I can't promise that Andy Reid or Travis Kelce will be in Kansas City when Nussmeier hits his stride, but if Nussmeier is taking snaps ahead of Patrick Mahomes' return, they figure to be important pieces of his immediate success.
Nussmeier may ultimately prefer landing with the Chiefs, rather than a team like the Cardinals. Freed from the pressure of franchise quarterbacking, Nussmeier's rookie year will be defined by the progress he makes on the practice field, shedding the bad habits of his injury-plagued 2025 season.
Even if it caps his ceiling as a high-end backup, Nussmeier seems more likely to hit that ceiling in an environment ripe with weapons, championship pedigree, and stability. Perhaps he becomes Kansas City's rendition of the many Brady backups that found work elsewhere down the line.
2. Ty Simpson, Alabama (Los Angeles Rams)
It's probably not worth overreacting to Sean McVay's post-Round 1 press conference, but it didn't set an ideal tone for Simpson's stint in Los Angeles. He's not equipped to help this team beat Seattle in January, and the weight of those expectations, should Matthew Stafford get hurt, might put a dent in his performance.
On the other hand, the Rams are stacked. Puka Nacua and Davante Adams -- as long as both are on the field -- create one of the league's most dynamic receiving duos. The team added to the tight end room on Day 2, has consistent offensive line play, and can bank on another dangerous run game.
That ground game is critical to Sean McVay's status as one of the NFL's preeminent playcallers. McVay finally gets another shot at a protégé after the successes that Jared Goff found -- an enviable spot for any young passer.
As long as the tension in that quarterback room doesn't boil over, Simpson won't have to work against circumstance to be a quality starter.
It's a good day to be Cole Payton. Unlike other mid-round passers, the chance Payton starts in 2026 seems slim, and the expectations of a franchise aren't resting on his shoulders. For now, those land on Jalen Hurts, who is creeping closer to replacement quicker than the Philadelphia faithful may anticipate.
Tanner McKee stands between Payton and Hurts on the depth chart and offers him insulation as he jumps from FCS play to the pros.
Of course, the talent in Philadelphia isn't much of a question. A.J. Brown getting traded would hurt the receiving corps, but more targets for DeVonta Smith and Makai Lemon are an excellent consolation prize. The offensive line is still strong, Saquon Barkley is a superstar, and the defense will continue to keep the Eagles competitive.
Payton has the physical tools to fit well in a Hurts-style offense, and he may be better-equipped to test the middle of the field, too. Success rates for any later-round quarterback are low. In Philadelphia, Payton has a better shot than possibly anywhere else of hitting his stride.
