DRAFT NEWS

As the leaves begin to turn, we are getting a better sense of the quality and depth of the upperclassmen who are likely to populate the top of NFL draft boards next April. To say the QBs have under-performed would qualify as an understatement at this point in the season. Only Carson Beck has played like a first round draft pick through the first third of the season.

Last weekend’s games were dramatic, down-to-the-wire affairs that will have a huge influence on the conference title and national playoff races. Oregon, Alabama, and Ole Miss all earned impressive victories last weekend and have an inside track to a playoff berth this December. Three games this Saturday – Miami at Florida State, Vanderbilt at Alabama, and Texas at Florida - will factor into conference title races and feature several potential first-round picks next April.

It's mock draft time here at SNS! Although the leaves are only beginning to turn, certain patterns are already setting in about the 2025 NFL season. Four teams clearly need an upgrade at QB - New Orleans, Miami, NY Jets, and Cleveland - but the quality of the 2026 QB class is in question by the performances put on film by the projected top prospects Drew Allar, Garrett Nussmeier, Carson Beck, Cade Klubnik, and Arch Manning so far this season.

NFL college scouts entered the 2025 season eyeing five primary QB prospects to be possible first round draft picks next April - Arch Manning (Texas), Cade Klubnik (Clemson), Garrett Nussmeier (LSU), Drew Allar (Penn State), and Carson Beck (Miami, Fl) - and after week two, a sixth name has proven he needs to be added to this list - Baylor QB Sawyer Robertson.

This column will be discussing draft eligible players - prospects at least three years out of high school - but anything that happens in the NFL and college football could be discussed here. The goal is to bring you, the reader, a fresh perspective on the development of the next batch of NFL superstars while they are learning the craft in the multi-billion dollar world of collegiate athletics. SNS readers are informed and that makes you a smarter fan and better at fantasy foo

Admittedly, conducting a 2026 NFL Draft mock draft prior to NFL season beginning, let alone when teams are still in process cutting their roster down to 53 players, is somewhat futile but still a fun exercise to see how next year's draft class stacks up. The QB class could potentially be one of the better classes to enter the league in years with Arch Manning, Drew Allar, Cade Klubnik, Garrett Nussmeier, and Carson Beck projecting as first-round picks next spring.

After a down year for the QB position in the NFL Draft, the prospective top upper classmen signal callers could be a bounce back class that delivers several potential franchise QBs to NFL teams in need next April. Although there is no clear-cut leader in this class, there are several prospects that have the combination of physical tools, mental makeup, and game experience to be drafted first overall next year.