Quarterbacks are king in the NFL draft. Traits are king at the NFL Scouting Combine.
As the top of the draft comes into focus over the next several weeks, the position of No. 2 quarterback behind likely No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza is up for grabs in the Class of 2026.
Separation starts this week.
Quarterbacks take center stage at the combine with throwing sessions this weekend and have a chance to make strong first impressions in interviews with teams before they’re on the field.
A few promising quarterbacks are vying to make the jump with either elite-level scrambling ability and athleticism or howitzer-level arm strength.
Here are three passers with a chance to raise their stock this week:
Drew Allar, Penn State
The 2025 season was a disappointment for the Nittany Lions with a 7-6 record and the end of the tenure of longtime coach James Franklin.
Part of the reason for the misfire: Allar was hurt in the middle of the season.
The team’s highly touted five-star recruit and expected Heisman contender in 2025 has largely recovered from a broken ankle. Now his goal is repairing his draft stock in the face of new questions and some that trailed him for four years at Penn State. He’s not going to calm concerns about pocket presence or performance in the clutch this week.
Still, Allar can rebound. He has crazy arm talent and better-than-expected mobility. While it’s unlikely Allar runs because of the ankle, he has athleticism to further help his case.
Taylen Green, Arkansas
Green’s college football tenure had dramatic highs and tragic lows. At Boise State, he led the Broncos to 10 wins in 2022. After a down year in 2023, he transferred to Arkansas after losing the Broncos’ QB1 role to Maddux Madsen.
Green delivered the Razorbacks a winning season, putting up career highs in passing yards and touchdowns. In 2025, another step back.
The flashes are gold. The velocity his throws generate when he has his shoulder square and feet planted is pro-plus, and he’s a live danger to defenses because of his scrambling ability and straight-line speed. That’s why the combine is the perfect place to build Green’s stock. If he chooses to run the 40, he’ll be hard to ignore and will likely make himself some money as a potential top-50 selection.
Cole Payton, North Dakota State
Payton flew under the radar at North Dakota State, especially because the Bison bounced out of the playoffs pretty early in comparison to their usual success.
Payton is not to blame. He willed that offense to victory time and time again, able to use his legs to extend plays as the offensive line broke down around him. He moves easily around and outside of the pocket with impressive stature.
Not many scouts left the Senior Bowl doubting Payton. He can double down on the rising stock in passing drills with great layering and anticipation that stood out during his FCS career.
–Dean Bruce, Field Level Media
