Everything felt so certain a year ago. We thought we knew who the stars were, who would be picking where, and exactly how the 2026 NFL Draft would shake out. Then reality happened. Players stayed in school for that sweet NIL money, Heisman winners rose from nowhere, and some of the league's most "stable" franchises saw their season end in a ditch.
Now, we’re looking at a 2026 NFL draft landscape that is, quite frankly, a bit of a disaster for teams needing a franchise savior under center. If your team needs a quarterback, I have some bad news.
The QB Scarcity Problem Nobody Is Admitting
Look, let's just be honest: this isn't the 2024 class. It's not even close. With Dante Moore choosing to return to Oregon for another season, the top of the board has been gutted. It’s left a massive vacuum that has basically one name sitting in it: Fernando Mendoza.
Mendoza has been the story of the year. He went to Indiana, won the Heisman, and took the Hoosiers to the No. 1 spot. He’s 6-foot-5, he’s got that Jared Goff-style rhythm to his game, and he’s remarkably efficient. But after him? It’s a cliff. Ty Simpson from Alabama has the "wow" throws but the consistency of a weather forecast in April. Cade Klubnik has the stats at Clemson, yet scouts still wonder about his ceiling when things get messy.
Teams like the Las Vegas Raiders—who officially secured the No. 1 overall pick after a miserable 3-14 campaign—are in a brutal spot. They desperately need a quarterback after the Geno Smith experiment fell apart. If they don't take Mendoza, they’re looking at reaching for a project or trading the pick to a team that’s desperate enough to overpay.
Why the New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals are Panicking
The Jets are picking at No. 2, and the Cardinals are right behind them at No. 3. Both teams are in a "soul-searching" phase.
In New York, the Justin Fields era didn't provide the spark everyone hoped for. They have holes everywhere, but the offensive line is the real nightmare. They’re likely looking at someone like Arvell Reese, the Ohio State linebacker, or maybe a tackle like Francis Mauigoa from Miami. But fans want a star. They want a face of the franchise.
Then you have Arizona. The Kyler Murray situation has reached a breaking point. They’re basically looking at a total reset. With Dante Moore out of the picture, the Cardinals might be forced to pivot to the defensive side of the ball. Rueben Bain Jr., the edge rusher from Miami, is a name you’re going to hear a lot. He’s a "brick wall" of a defender who can wreck a game plan single-handedly.
Quick Look: The Top of the 2026 Draft Order
| Pick | Team | Primary Need |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Las Vegas Raiders | Quarterback |
| 2 | New York Jets | Offensive Line / LB |
| 3 | Arizona Cardinals | QB / Edge Rusher |
| 4 | Tennessee Titans | Wide Receiver |
| 5 | New York Giants | Offensive Line / QB |
The "Maulers" and the Skill Positions
If you're a team that doesn't need a quarterback, you're actually in luck. This draft is loaded with "trench" talent. Francis Mauigoa (Miami) and Spencer Fano (Utah) are legitimate Day 1 starters at tackle. The New York Giants and Cleveland Browns are likely salivating at the chance to fix their protection issues with these guys.
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The Giants, specifically, are a mess. Outside of Andrew Thomas, that line is a revolving door. If they don't land a quarterback to replace the aging veteran core, they have to at least make sure whoever is back there doesn't get killed.
On the skill side, it’s all about Jeremiyah Love. The Notre Dame running back is the undisputed RB1. He’s got that rare blend of power and home-run speed. The Kansas City Chiefs, picking at No. 9, would be a terrifying fit for him. Imagine Mahomes with a back who can actually punish teams for playing two-deep safeties.
Teams that Might Surprise Us
- Dallas Cowboys (Pick 12): They need a running back bad. If Javonte Williams walks in free agency, they’re empty. But watch for them to go defense. Their linebacker depth is non-existent.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Pick 21): They’re the masters of the "reset." They might just take a developmental QB like LaNorris Sellers from South Carolina and let him sit for a year. Sellers has a cannon but took 42 sacks this year. He needs a lot of coaching.
- Chicago Bears (Pick 25): Their defense has been gashed lately. They need interior defensive linemen who can actually hold a gap. Look for them to target someone like Peter Woods from Clemson if he slides.
What This Means for Your Team
Basically, the nfl team needs draft strategy this year is going to be about "best player available" rather than "fix the QB." Because the QB class is so thin, we’re going to see a lot of teams trading down.
If your team is in the top 10 and doesn't have a quarterback, expect a lot of rumors about trading for veterans like Tua Tagovailoa, who seems to be on his way out of Miami after being benched for Quinn Ewers. The veteran market is going to be just as wild as the draft itself.
Honestly, the smartest move for many of these teams might be to ignore the quarterback position in the first round entirely. Build the defense. Fix the line. Wait for the 2027 class when maybe Arch Manning or Nico Iamaleava actually enter the pool.
Actionable Next Steps for NFL Fans
- Watch the Senior Bowl and Combine Closely: Since the QB rankings are so volatile, the physical testing for guys like Ty Simpson and John Mateer will be the difference between a first-round lock and a third-round flyer.
- Monitor Free Agency Tradelines: Teams like the Dolphins and Raiders will likely make moves before the draft. If the Raiders trade for a veteran, that No. 1 pick suddenly becomes the most valuable trade asset in years for a team wanting a tackle or an edge rusher.
- Check Your Team's Salary Cap: The draft is only half the battle. Teams like the Giants have massive cap implications that might force them to draft for "cheap" depth rather than the "best" talent.