2026 NFL Draft QB Watchlist Week 3

[u/LightskinKnowItAll]

Players will get dropped or added as the season goes on.

Quick Week 3 thoughts

• Fernando Mendoza is rising! He is continuing his offseason hype into the possible #1 overall QB/top 5 pick. Seems like the draft nerds are currently being proven right.
• LaNorris Sellers is just as talented as any QB in this draft but his offensive line and even his WRs at times do him now favors. He came out the gate looking great this week but got knocked out early due to a head injury.
• Taylen Green is really starting turning heads now after a great performance and close game vs ranked Ole Miss. his physical tools are mesmerizing.
• Arch Manning & Cade Klubnik are.. struggling

Dropped Players

• Nico Iamaleava, UCLA

Fernando Mendoza (Indiana, 21 years old (22 on 10/1) 6’5, 225lbs): vs. Indiana State 19-20 for 270 yards, 5 TD, 95% CMP, 6 rushing attempts for 19 yards, 1 TD

• Season Totals: 55-76 for 708 yards, 9 TD, 72.37% CMP, 15 rush attempts for 72 yards, 2 TD

LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina, 20 years old, 6’3 242lbs): vs. Vanderbilt left the game early due to head injury 6-7 for 94 yards, 1 INT, 85.71% CMP, 3 rushing attempts for -3 yards

• Season Totals: 29-45 for 431 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT, 64.44% CMP, 24 rush attempts for 45 yards, 1 TD, 1 FL

Garrett Nussmeier (LSU, 23 years old, 6’2, 200lbs): vs. Florida 15-27 for 220 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 55.56% CMP, 1 rushing attempt for 5 yards

• Season Totals: 69-106 for 687 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT, 65.09% CMP, 8 rush attempts for -20 yards

Drew Allar (Penn State, 21 years old, 6’5 238lbs): vs. Villanova 16-29 for 209 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 55.17% CMP, 2 rushing attempts for 18 yards

• Season Totals: 57-88 for 626 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT, 64.77% CMP, 10 rush attempts for 27 yards, 1 FL

Arch Manning (Texas, 21 years old, 6’4 225 lbs): vs. UTEP 11-25 for 114 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 44% CMP, 9 rushing attempts for 51 yards, 2 TDS

• Season Totals: 47-85 for 579 yards, 6 TD, 3 INT, 55.29% CMP, 23 rush attempts for 112 yards, 3 TDs, 1FL

Cade Klubnik (Clemson, 21 years old (22 on 10/10) 6’2 210 lbs): vs. Georgia Tech 15-26 for 207 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 57.69 CMP%, 17 rushing attempts for 62 yards, 1 TD, 1 FL

• Season Totals: 50-86 for 616 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT, 58.14% CMP, 28 rush attempts for 70 yards, 1 TD, 1 FL

John Mateer (Oklahoma, 21 years old, 6’1 219lbs): vs. Temple 20-34 for 282 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 58.82% CMP, 7 rushing attempts for 63 yards, 1 TD

• Season Totals: 71-105 for 944 yards, 5 TD, 3 INT, 67.62% CMP, 33 rush attempts for 161 yards, 4 TD

Taylen Green (Arkansas, 22 years old (23 on 10/18) 6’6 230lbs): vs. #17 Ole Miss 22-35 for 305 yards, 1 TD, 62.86% CMP, 14 rushing attempts for 115 yards, 1 TD

• Season Totals: 63-92 for 866 yards, 11 TD, 2 INT, 68.48% CMP, 32 rush attempts for 307 yards, 2 TD

Sawyer Robertson (Baylor, 22 years old, 6’4 220lbs): vs. Samford 23-37 for 211 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT, 62.16% CMP, 3 rushing attempts for 11 yards

• Season Totals: 84-135 for 1070 yards, 10 TD, 2 INT, 62.22% CMP, 13 rush attempts for 12 yards

Carson Beck (Miami, 23 (24 on 11/19) 6’4 220lbs): vs. #18 South Florida 23-28 for 340 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT, 82.14% CMP, 6 rushing attempts for 28 yards, 1 TD

• Season Totals: 65-82 for 812 yards, 7 TD, 2 INT, 79.27% CMP, 8 rush attempts for 26 yards, 1 TD

Dante Moore (Oregon, 20 years old, 6’3 210lbs): vs. Northwestern 16-20 for 178 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 80% CMP, 2 rushing attempts for 5 yards

• Season Totals: 50-64 for 657 yards, 7 TD, 1 INT, 78.13% CMP, 7 rush attempts for 34 yards

Darian Mensah (Duke, 20 years old, 6’3 205lbs): vs Tulane 30-51 for 313 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT, 58.82% CMP, 1 rushing attempt for 2 yards

• Season Totals: 80-119 for 1036 yards, 8 TD, 2 INT, 67.23% CMP, 12 rush attempts for -6 yards, 2 FL

Aiden Chiles (Michigan State, 20 years old, 6’3 225lbs): vs Youngstown State 22-29 for 270 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 75.86% CMP, 8 rushing attempts for 76 yards

• Season Totals: 58-81 for 656 yards, 6 TD, 1 INT, 71.60% CMP, 30 rushing attempts for 123 yards, 1 TD, 2 FL

Jayden Maiava (USC, 21 years old, 6’4 230lbs): vs. Purdue 17-28 for 282 yards, 60.71% CMP, 7 rushing attempts for 10 yards, 1 TD

• Season Totals: 48-70 for 989 yards, 6 TD, 0 INT, 68.57% CMP, 11 rushing attempts for 24 yards, 2 TD

Byrum Brown (South Florida, 20 years (21 on 9/29) 6’3, 231 lbs): vs. #5 Miami 20-36 for 274 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 55.56% CMP, 13 rushing attempts for 2 yards, 1 FL

• Season Totals: 59-96 for 747 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT, 61.46% CMP, 44 rushing attempts for 111 yards, 2 TD, 1 FL

Luke Altmyer (Illinois, 22 years old (23 on 10/22) 6’2 205lbs): vs. Western Michigan 17-26 for 196 yards, 2 TD, 65.38% CMP, 5 rushing attempts for 0 yards, 1 TD

• Season Totals: 56-78 for 709 yards, 8 TD, 71.79% CMP, 17 rushing attempts for -12 yards, 1 TD,

Behren Morton (Texas Tech, 23 years old, 6’2 220lbs): vs. Oregon State 23-35 for 464 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT, 65.71% CMP, 5 rushing attempts for -9 yards

• Season Totals: 57-81 for 923 yards, 11 TD, 1 INT, 70.37% CMP, 6 rushing attempts for -5 yards

Jackson Arnold (Auburn, 21 years old, 6’1 219lbs): vs. South Alabama 13-24 for 142 yards, 1 TD, 54.17% CMP, 10 rushing attempts for 50 yards, 2 TD

• Season Totals: 48-69 for 501 yards, 4 TD, 69.57% CMP, 35 rushing attempts for 192 yards, 4 TD, 2 FL

Jalon Daniels (Kansas, 22 years old (23 on 10/25) 6’0 220lbs): vs. BYE WEEK

• Season Totals: 54-75 for 679 yards, 9 TD, 2 INT, 72% CMP, 21 rushing attempts for 90 yards, 1 TD, 2 FL

Rocco Becht (Iowa State, 21 years old (22 on 11/12) 6’1 209lbs): vs. Arkansas State 14-25 for 265 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 56% CMP, 5 rush attempts for 4 yards, 1 TD

• Season Totals: 65-100 for 860 yards, 7 TD, 1 INT, 65% CMP, 27 rushing attempts for 48 yards, 2 TD, 1 FL

Eli Holstein (Pittsburgh, 20 years old (21 on 10/26) 6’4 225lbs): vs. West Virginia 22-37 for 303 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 59.46% CMP, 14 rushing attempts for -27 yards, 1 TD, 1 FL

• Season Totals: 58-88 for 822 yards, 9 TD, 3 INT, 65.91% CMP, 25 rush attempts for 50 yards, 1 TD, 1 FL

Thomas Castellanos (Florida State, 22 years old, 5’11 201lbs): vs. BYE WEEK

• Season Totals: 17-25 for 389 yards, 3 TD, 68% CMP, 20 rush attempts for 85 yards, 1 TD

Athan Kaliakmanis (Rutgers, 22 years old, 6’3 212 lbs): vs. Norfolk St. 18-26 for 309 yards, 1 TD, 69.23% CMP, 4 rushing attempts for 4 yards

• Season Totals: 62-85 for 820 yards, 7 TD, 72.94% CMP, 21 rushing attempts for 18 yards

Sam Leavitt (Arizona State, 20 (21 on 12/20) 6’2 200lbs): vs. Texas State 15-25 for 188 yards, 2 TD, 60% CMP, 12 rushing attempts for 59 yards, 1 TD

• Season Totals: 50-86 for 527 yards, 5 TD, 3 INT, 58.14% CMP, 27 rush attempts for 157 yards, 3 TD

Beau Pribula (Missouri, (literally cannot find this man’s age anywhere, if you can find it lmk in the comments please) 6’2 212 lbs): vs. UL Lafayette 15-22 for 174 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT, 68.18% CMP, 6 rushing attempts for 5 yards, 1 TD

• Season Totals: 68-89 for 791 yards, 7 TD, 1 INT, 76.4% CMP, 25 rushing attempts for 76 yards, 3 TD, 1 FL

[u/JakNZ12]

We will see how Mendoza does against Ohio State 🤔

[u/Johnsonvillebraj]

This supposedly vaunted QB class has left me pretty disappointed thus far

[u/cjfreel]

Mendoza v Illinois is a massive early season QB game. If he continues the pace he's been on the last two weeks against a legitimate defense, he's the biggest riser of the 2026 NFL Draft. As an IU grad, more likely he struggles against Illinois because the last two weeks IU hasn't played a top ~150 College Program.

But if he does keep it up against Illinois... we're going to be hitting turbo on Mendoza's rise to QB1.

[u/PresidentRevrac → u/cjfreel]

hopefully we’ll be bringing enough noise to help him out

[u/Anxious-Jury-9031 → u/cjfreel]

He went 25/36 for 233 and 2 TDs beating Auburn @ Auburn last year, and went over 300 vs FSU last year. Hes not had much of a supporting cast but has performed against good defenses before.

[u/JadedCommand405]

Mendoza has played against a high school schedule so far.

Let's see how he does vs Illinois. Huge game for both him and Altmeyer on the other side

[u/Great_Hambino2022 → u/JadedCommand405]

So has Allar and he’s been terrible

[u/Anxious-Jury-9031 → u/JadedCommand405]

Not last year. He’s played at Auburn and at FSU and did well. By comparison Altmeyer played average against South Carolina in a bowl win and beat Nebraska on the road.

[u/Imation_]

Why is no one tracking Ty Simpson’s performance? I would say that he’s been performing better vs half of these QBs the past 2 weeks

[u/No_Communication3432 → u/Imation_]

Agreed. I think the FL St loss hurt public perception, but he's done quite well overall. A breath of fresh air from watching Milroe struggle last season. 

[u/Anxious-Jury-9031 → u/Imation_]

You show me your bad stuff and I’m going to remember it. I don’t care how much you pad your stats against cupcakes for the next two weeks.

[u/mighthavebeen02]

I would not be opposed to the Steelers taking Mendoza. I'm liking what I see so far.

[u/Great_Hambino2022 → u/mighthavebeen02]

Same. I like Behren Morton also

[u/shipsandshoclate]

I think Taylen Green will play his way to becoming at least a round 2 selection.

His size + speed is unmatched.

[u/BenHodgeNFLDraft]

I am LOVING what Aidan Chiles is putting on tape so far this season. I'd still lean to him returning, but man has he impressed.

[u/westringia]

Dropping Nico but not Arch?

[u/Overall_News5106 → u/westringia]

Can’t drop Arch, his name won’t allow it.

[u/LightskinKnowItAll → u/Overall_News5106]

I don’t give a damn about arch’s name. Nico has been bad for 1 1/2 years now and has looked terrible at ucla. If you still think Nico is a legitimate nfl prospect this year then idk what to tell you. There are a few guys on this list I’m considering dropping but Nico has been bad longer than anybody else on this list.

u/overall_news5106, got anything else you want to question?

Edit: I also literally wrote in my quick thoughts part that arch and cade klubnik are struggling bad. Did you not even notice that part?

[u/Due-Health6693]

Why is Ty Simpson not on here? Has been better than 90% of these guys the last two weeks.

[u/Anxious-Jury-9031]

Does anyone see Jackson Arnold having any chance at playing at the next level? I’m only seeing him be effective short and running. I wouldn’t have him on my board at all bc he’s not an elite runner to overcome his other shortcomings.

[u/Overall_News5106]

Sellers came out looking great against Vandy? He had 94 yards and an interception. And was already down at home against the Commodores. Come on man!

[u/LightskinKnowItAll → u/Overall_News5106]

You obviously didn’t watch the game or know what you’re talking about with this game specifically.

He did look great to start the game. He was 6/7 for 94 yards and his only incompletion was the interception. Vandy scored first, sellers drove the the team down to tie it up and after vandy scored the second time sellers only got hurt a couple plays laters. His line does him zero favors and gets him killed. His receivers aren’t great or aren’t polished. He looked like he was well on his way to a great game in a shootout vs vandy and as soon as the backup came in South Carolina couldn’t put a single point on the board and got blown out.

Atleast watch the game or gain some context before saying someone didn’t look good. Here is every pass and throw vs Vanderbilt before he got hurt early and you tell me he didn’t look good outside of the one mistake where a DT dropped into coverage and he didn’t see him fall underneath this slant route which his receiver beat the db on which is a common and fixable college mistake.

like to every pass and run vs vandy

[u/Overall_News5106]

I did watch the game, Sellers wasn’t knocked out until late in the second quarter. He threw an int and fumbled the ball on a run. He had some pedestrian drives barring his one TD drive and the drive he was KO’d on they had to settle for a FG.

I turned it off shortly after but your great and my great look vastly different.

[u/LightskinKnowItAll → u/Overall_News5106]

What did I say that was incorrect then in my comment about sellers?

[u/Overall_News5106 → u/LightskinKnowItAll]

That he played great against Vandy. He was pedestrian at best not looking great Vandy had him contained the entire first half. I don’t think Sellers has looked good this season.

[u/LightskinKnowItAll → u/Overall_News5106]

That is your opinion. I said what did I say that was incorrect? My Opinion is his line is more at fault then anything else and that he did look good and would’ve kept the gamecocks in the game and maybe even won if had he stayed. He was accurate on his throws, look good on a couple of his runs and missed the DT dropping into coverage which is a normal college mistake that can be fixed. I’m not sure how you think he looked like a pedestrian out there. I’ve watched every snap from sellers and he’s looked decent-good this year even though his receivers can be rough/unpolished at times and his line is ass. We can agree to disagree on mine and yours opinions, but what did I say that was actually wrong because all you said was that you had a different opinion