Best remaining QBs heading into Day 3 of 2026 NFL Draft

Garrett Nussmeier has one of the livelier arms left on the board and is not afraid to test tight windows. That confidence can work both ways, though, and teams will want to clean up the risk-taking.

Cade Klubnik , Clemson

Cade Klubnik is steady and athletic with a clean throwing motion, giving him a relatively safe profile in this range. The debate comes down to whether there is enough upside to be more than a long-term backup.

Taylen Green , Arkansas

Taylen Green stands out immediately with his size and speed, making him one of the better athletes in the group. His growth as a passer will decide how serious teams get about his long-term role.

Jalon Daniels, Kansas

Jalon Daniels brings playmaking ability and mobility that can stress defenses when he is on the field. The concern is how often he can stay there, as durability will be a major talking point.

Cole Payton , North Dakota State

Cole Payton is more of a projection than a finished product, offering intriguing athletic tools but limited refinement. He is the type of quarterback who will need time before anyone really knows what they have.

Haynes King , Georgia Tech

Haynes King plays with toughness and can extend plays with his legs, giving him some versatility. Inconsistency as a passer is what keeps him from climbing higher on boards.

Behren Morton, Texas Tech

Behren Morton has been productive in a pass-heavy system and shows solid arm talent. Evaluators will spend time figuring out how much of that production translates outside of that offense.

Luke Altmyer , Illinois

Luke Altmyer has shown improvement in decision-making and operates well within structure. He profiles as a depth option with a chance to grow if things keep trending in the right direction.

Diego Pavia , Vanderbilt

Diego Pavia brings toughness and a competitive edge that jumps out right away. He does not have the ideal size, but he finds ways to keep plays alive and make things uncomfortable for defenses.

By the third day, it is less about sheer ability and more about circumstance for the quarterback position. Whether or not one of these guys makes it, or fades into obscurity, has often less to do with what they achieved in college and everything to do with the situation they are put into. 

Let one of these guys enter a stable system with patience and a defined approach, and all of a sudden, have yourself some value. Force one of these guys into chaos, and he is just a footnote that you never know what might have been.