Kurt's QB Insider: Five 2026 NFL Draft evaluations to watch

It should come as no surprise that Warner highlighted the presumed No. 1 overall pick of the Raiders, Heisman Trophy winner, and reigning national champion. Using game tape from Mendoza’s year as a Hoosier, Warner specifically highlighted Mendoza’s “incredible accuracy” and “compact technique” for someone his size (6-foot-5, 236 pounds), as well as his ability to win football games, as seen by his 16-0 campaign at Indiana. “There is no throw he is not able to make when his body is set, he’s balanced up in the pocket, and has the ability to drive the football,” Warner said.

As far as areas of improvement, Warner noted that there is “too much panic when his No. 1 receiver is not there.” He questioned if Mendoza could carry an NFL offense when defenses take away his No. 1 target, which they inevitably will. Check out the full episode here.

Warner examines how Alabama’s pro-style offense set Simpson up for success in the NFL as he consistently executed plays and schemes that he will be expected to execute when his name is called. “One thing I loved about Ty Simpson was his ability to make the second-level throws. … To me, those are the things that separate quarterbacks at the NFL level,” Warner said. He added that what separates Simpson from other quarterbacks in his draft class is his ability to move and throw on the run.

Athletic ability aside, Warner posed questions about Simpson’s lack of experience. With just 15 games started in his college career, Simpson has “room to grow” in terms of comfortability and development before he can start in the league. Check out the full episode here.

The University of Miami (and former Georgia Bulldog) product “is one of the most natural throwers of the football” in the entire 2026 draft class, Warner noted. He specifically highlighted his productivity and experience at the college level: Five seasons at Georgia and a sixth year at Miami.

While Beck is not considered a Day 1 starter, “I believe he’s got all the tools to be a starter in the NFL if he can get better at playing fast with his body and slow with his mind,” Warner said. Beck needs to improve his ability to make proper decisions, specifically when under pressure, as that is key to being successful at the NFL level. Warner breaks all this down using specific examples. Check out the full episode here. 

Allar “is a natural gifted thrower,” according to Warner and “there is not a throw on the football field that this guy can’t make.” Warner specifically highlighted how Allar's strengths – namely, his arm strength – could make him “a superstar” in the NFL. “He could become the best quarterback in this class,” Warner said.

As with all quarterbacks with a big arm, the question is whether Allar can make these throws accurately, consistently. While Warner said “it is effortless for him to push the ball down the field” Allar might need some time to hone his accuracy, and coverage reads before getting a starting nod in the NFL. Check out the full episode here. 

When evaluating Nussmeier, Warner highlighted his innate ability to understand how to play the game. “He’s got the ability to make every throw” and “process information and find the right guy to get the football to,” Warner said. Nussmeier is widely projected as a mid-round pick to round out an NFL quarterback room, but Warner said he “understands how to play the game and has plenty of physical abilities to play and possibly become a starter at the NFL level.”

Nussmeier has room to grow in his decision-making and must learn to slow the game down to avoid becoming frantic in the pocket and failing to take advantage of a defense that isn’t pressuring him. As Nussmeier prepares for the NFL, Warner also asked, “Where can he add something extra to his game that makes him a bona fide starter at the NFL level?” Check out the full episode here.