The Dallas Cowboys have a franchise quarterback in Dak Prescott, making it unlikely they will draft a top QB this year. However, they might consider a Day 3 quarterback if one falls.
Key points
Dallas Cowboys have Dak Prescott as their franchise quarterback
Sam Howell is being developed as a backup QB
Top QB in the draft is expected to go to the Las Vegas Raiders
The ranking of QBs depends on teams' preferences for traits and size
Uncertainty surrounds the next four quarterbacks in the draft class
Dallas CowboysLas Vegas Raiders
The top five quarterbacks are unlikely to be linked to the Dallas Cowboys, and for good reason, as they have a franchise quarterback in his prime. They are attempting to develop a young g QB with good traits, signing Sam Howell to play if they need a steady hand for a game or two. Typically, quarterbacks have 3 or more Round 1 picks on a top five prospects list,, but not in this class. Is there an outside chance Dallas goes for a Day 3 quarterback if one of these QBs fall?
This doesn’t mean the position isn’t important to know. It’s the most important piece for every team. The Washington Commanders went to the NFC Championship game in Jayden Daniels's rookie season. The top QB in this class is going to the Las Vegas Raiders with the first overall pick. Still, the next four are completely unknown. Do teams want a traits-heavy quarterback they need to teach the position, or an undersized option with the anticipation to make all the plays? Those are the questions that will decide the order of the top five quarterbacks in the 2026 draft class.
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Jan 1, 2026; Pasadena, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) runs against the Indiana Hoosiers in the first half of the 2026 Rose Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Jan 1, 2026; Pasadena, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) runs against the Indiana Hoosiers in the first half of the 2026 Rose Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Ty Simpson does things the best quarterbacks can do at the highest level, and that isn’t always true for young quarterbacks. He reads the entire field, can set protections, and make the changes at the line of scrimmage. He moves well in the pocket without immediately bailing out to escape.
He does have plenty of negatives, beginning with being just a one-year starter. He also has a limited arm and NFL frame for a QB. Simpson needs to improve his anticipation throws as well; waiting for a pass catcher to get open typically means he isn’t open by the time the ball is thrown at the NFL level.
Apr 26, 2025; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) gestures from the line of scrimmage during the second quarter of the Blue White spring game at Beaver Stadium. The White team defeated the Blue team 10-8. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images
Apr 26, 2025; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) gestures from the line of scrimmage during the second quarter of the Blue White spring game at Beaver Stadium. The White team defeated the Blue team 10-8. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images
Drew Allar is the exact opposite of Simpson. He is of prototypical size at 6-foot-5 and 228 pounds, and has a cannon for an arm, above-average mobility, and plenty of college experience. His issues stem from not yet having the intangibles to succeed at the highest level.
Allar has unreliable decision-making and poor footwork, and he gets flustered under pressure with inconsistent ball placement. These are issues he must develop before he can try to be a useful starter in the League. If Allar can develop in those areas and become more reliable with the mental side of the game, his talent is unquestionable.
Jan 29, 2026; Mobile, AL, USA; American quarterback Taylen Green (10) of Arkansas runs the ball with American linebacker Xavian Sorey (32) of Arkansas chasing him during American Senior Bowl practice at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
Jan 29, 2026; Mobile, AL, USA; American quarterback Taylen Green (10) of Arkansas runs the ball with American linebacker Xavian Sorey (32) of Arkansas chasing him during American Senior Bowl practice at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
Taylen Green is similar to Josh Allen was coming out of Wyoming; a big quarterback with a great arm and fantastic athleticism, without doing what most consider the easy things. He could escape a sack, leave the pocket, throw the ball 40 yards on the move for a big play completion, and then miss a five-yard dig by two yards. Green needs to develop, especially his decision-making. But if things click for him, he has every unteachable element a team could hope for in a quarterback prospect. He's the biggest boom or bust pick in the entire class. At his best, he is an unstoppable weapon at the most important position in the game, but he could be too turnover-prone to ever make a start in his career in the NFL if he doesn’t work hard to get better at everything.
Dec 31, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (13) runs the ball during the first half against the Baylor Bears at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
Dec 31, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (13) runs the ball during the first half against the Baylor Bears at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
Garrett Nussmeier was nearly a first-round quarterback after his 2024 season, when he was a finalist for the Manning Award, given to the nation's best at the position. He had a poor showing in 2025, which dropped him from consideration at the top of the QB prospects this draft cycle, but his pre-draft performance could have Nussmeier bouncing back.
He reads defenses well, takes his time in the pocket to allow the offense to go through its paces, and can make all the throws. That arm strength can lead to turnovers because of his willingness to try to fit passes into windows that aren't truly open. His size also causes issues, at under 6-foot-2, and defenses take advantage of it. In 23 games, Nussmeier has had nine passes batted down at the line. The arm is good enough; plenty of quarterbacks his size have been great, but he needs better touch and anticipation going forward.
QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
Jan 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor (3) sacks Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) in the third quarter during the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Jan 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor (3) sacks Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) in the third quarter during the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Some quarterbacks wow scouts with how they escape the pocket to make a big third-down pass and extend a drive, but Fernando Mendoza tries to avoid getting to that point by making the plays in front of him to keep his offense moving. His player comp is Dak Prescott as they both win mostly presnap. They see what a defense is running and have the counter for it most of the time. He also has excellent technique, throwing to any level of the field. He is at his best throwing back shoulder, but his seam passes fit between the zones of the defense nicely. He has great leadership and plays better under pressure.
Mendoza doesn’t have dynamic athleticism or a cannon arm, but both are enough to win at the NFL level. Needs improvement in calling out protection and going through his reads, but those should get better with experience in more complex offenses.
