NFC West Notes: Rams, Kittle, Hawks, Cards
Tyler Higbee has been the Rams‘ top tight end for many years, dating back to the team’s separation from Gerald Everett in 2021. Higbee, however, is now in Year 10 and coming off a three-game season. The Rams have attempted to install an heir apparent on multiple occasions, most notably failing in an attempt to trade up for Brock Bowers last year. Los Angeles then was tied to an effort to move up for Colston Loveland last month, and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler indicates the team did discuss trades with teams holding top-10 picks.
Once Loveland went to the Bears at 10, the Rams regrouped and traded down, picking up a 2026 first-rounder (from the Falcons) to do so. Upon leaving Round 1, however, the Rams eyed the next wave of tight ends in this draft. Both Mason Taylor (LSU) and Terrance Ferguson (Oregon) were on the team’s radar, per Fowler, who notes Ferguson was rated higher despite Taylor going to the Jets four spots earlier. The Rams have Ferguson (591 receiving yards in 2024) readying to become the Higbee heir apparent.
Here is the latest from the NFC West:
- Ferguson is unlikely to unseat George Kittle as the NFC West’s top tight end anytime soon, as the 49ers extended their All-Pro dynamo recently. San Francisco’s four-year, $76.4MM deal includes $35MM guaranteed at signing. Beyond fully guaranteed money in 2025 and ’26, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio notes $2MM of Kittle’s 2027 pay ($17.15MM) is locked in at signing. The 49ers have also dived into the option bonus game, which will help keep Kittle’s cap hits under $19MM until 2029. Kittle can unlock $5MM more in 2027 guarantees by being a 2026 Pro Bowler or landing on the All-Pro first or second team that year; reaching a number of statistical benchmarks that year also could allow Kittle to cash in on that $5MM 2027 bump, Florio adds.
- Sam Darnold‘s three-year, $100.5MM Seahawks contract became classified as a pay-as-you-go pact, and ESPN’s Brady Henderson provided an important detail here. Seattle gave Darnold a $15MM roster bonus, but it is not due until February 13 — five days after Super Bowl LX. The Seahawks can cut bait during that window, reminding of the Raiders’ 2023 Derek Carr divorce, if the Darnold partnership does not pan out. Seattle would still pick up a $25.6MM dead money hit (due to signing bonus proration) by cutting Darnold after one season.
- DC Aden Durde pushed for Rylie Mills in Round 5 (via the pick obtained in the Sam Howell trade), but the Seahawks will wait a bit to see the Day 3 D-lineman in action. A torn ACL sustained in December is expected to keep the Notre Dame product out until at least midseason, John Schneider said (via Henderson). A late-season return is also in play for a player who will be more of a long-term option in Seattle.
- Not rostering a fullback in many years, the Seahawks had planned to add one to work in Klint Kubiak‘s offense. They did so in the draft, as Schneider confirmed (via Henderson) Alabama tight end Robbie Ouzts — a fifth-round pick — will begin his career at fullback. The 274-pound SEC product will compete with Brady Russell, who has played 26 Seahawks games (zero starts) since arriving in September 2023.
- A former South Carolina defensive back, Landon Grier made an early foray into the NFL scouting ranks. The Cardinals hired him straight out of college to be a scouting assistant. The son of Dolphins GM Chris Grier, Landon is not expected back with the Cards in 2025, with InsidetheLeague.com’s Neil Stratton noting the younger Grier is on track to return to the college ranks for a personnel role.
- The 49ers are also parting ways with a scouting staffer, with Stratton adding Michael Zyskowski is moving on after three years with the franchise. Late spring regularly serves as a point teams reshuffle scouting staffs, as contracts usually run through the draft in an effort to ensure continuity ahead of the event.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/13/25
Today’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: LB Kaimon Rucker
Detroit Lions
- Signed: DL Keith Cooper
- Waived: OL Leif Fautanu
Houston Texans
- Waived: CB Gregory Junior
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: LB Kana’i Mauga
- Waived: LB Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: DT Da’Jon Terry
Miami Dolphins
- Claimed off waivers (from Raiders): DT Matthew Butler
- Waived: DT Tre’vonn Rybka
New Orleans Saints
- Waived: LB Anfernee Orji
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: CB Derrick Canteen
- Waived: S Quindell Johnson
NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/13/25
The following 2025 draft picks signed their rookie contracts today:
Carolina Panthers
- RB Trevor Etienne (fourth round, Georgia)
Kansas City Chiefs
- DE Ashton Gillotte (third round, Louisville)
- WR Jalen Royals (fourth round, Utah State)
Las Vegas Raiders
- CB Darien Porter (third round, Iowa State)
Los Angeles Rams
- LB Josaiah Stewart (third round, Michigan)
- DT Ty Hamilton (fifth round, Ohio State)
- LB Chris Paul Jr. (fifth round, Ole Miss)
- WR Konata Mumpfield (seventh round, Pitt)
New Orleans Saints
- DT Vernon Broughton (third round, Texas)
Seattle Seahawks
- QB Jalen Milroe (third round, Alabama)
- DT Rylie Mills (fifth round, Notre Dame)
- WR Tory Horton (fifth round, Colorado State)
- TE Robbie Ouzts (fifth round, Alabama)
- G Bryce Cabeldue (sixth round, Kansas)
- RB Damien Martinez (seventh round, Miami)
- T Mason Richman (seventh round, Iowa)
- WR Ricky White III (seventh round, UNLV)
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/12/25
Here are the latest minor moves from around the NFL:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: LB Caleb Johnson
- Released: WR Phillip Dorsett
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: K John Hoyland, FB Lucas Scott
Chicago Bears
- Signed: CB Jeremiah Walker
- Placed on Exempt/International Player list: P Tory Taylor
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: S Shaquan Loyal
- Waived: CB Micah Abraham
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: WR Luke Floriea, WR Kisean Johnson, WR Cade McDonald
- Waived: S Trey Dean, DE Marcus Haynes, FB Eli Wilson
- Waived/injured: WR Ja’Seem Reed
Denver Broncos
- Signed: LB Jordan Turner, WR Kyrese White, LS Zach Triner, TE Cole Fotheringham
- Waived: CB Kendall Bohler, LB K.J. Cloyd, NT Christian Dowell, TE Thomas Yassmin
- Placed on Exempt/International Player list: P Jeremy Crawshaw
Detroit Lions
- Signed; TE Luke Deal, WR Malik Taylor, DL Raequan Williams
- Waived: TE Caden Prieskorn
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: QB Taylor Elgersma
- Released: OL Marquis Hayes
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: C Mose Vavao
- Waived: DT Joe Evans
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: DE Jahfari Harvey, WR Ketron Jackson Jr., WR Key’Shawn Smith, LB Wesley Steiner
- Waived: OT Dominic Boyd, LB Amari Burney, DT Matthew Butler, WR Tyleik McAllister, LB Brandon Smith
- Released: WR Kristian Wilkerson
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: WR Dalevon Campbell, LB Kana’i Mauga
- Waived: OL Bucky Williams
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: CB Kendall Sheffield
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: LB Matt Harmon, DL Elijah Williams
New England Patriots
- Signed: DT Isaiah Iton, G Mehki Butler, DT Wilfried Pene
- Waived: OT Cole Birdow
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: S Terrell Burgess, QB Hunter Dekkers
- Waived: S Millard Bradford, RB Jordan Mims
New York Giants
- Signed: CB T.J. Moore
- Waived: DB R.J. Delancey, DB Tommy McCormick
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: RB Max Hurleman, T Gareth Warren
- Released: RB Aaron Shampklin
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: LB Stone Blanton
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: WR Montorie Foster
- Waived: WR River Cracraft
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: DL Dvon J-Thomas
- Waived; LB Deion Jennings, TE Anthony Landphere
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: TE Drake Dabney,WR TJ Sheffield
- Waived: CB Virgil Lemons, S Jerrin Thompson
Hoyland converted 79.3% of his field goal attempts for the Wyoming Cowboys across the last five years. He was ultra-consistent on extra points with 147 makes on 148 tries. Hoyland will compete with sixth-round pick Tyler Loop for the Ravens’ kicking job after the team released Justin Tucker.
Sheffield brings some much-needed experience to the Dolphins’ cornerback room, though he hasn’t started since 2020. He could provide crucial veteran depth in Miami, especially if Jalen Ramsey is traded.
Elgersma was the starting quarterback at Wilfried Laurier University in Ontario, Canada, for the last three years. In 2024, he won the Hec Crighton Trophy – the Canadian equivalent to the Heisman – and earned an invitation to the Senior Bowl, the first-ever for a Canadian QB. Elgersma was drafted in the second round of the 2025 CFL Draft by the Winnepeg Blue Bombers, but a successful tryout with the Packers will give him a chance at making an NFL roster.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/7/25
Wednesday’s minor moves in the NFL:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: CB Keyon Martin
Dallas Cowboys
- Waived: WR Seth Williams
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: QB Taylor Elgersma
Houston Texans
- Claimed off waivers (from Seahawks): LB Jackson Woodard
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: LB Joe Bachie
Kansas City Chiefs
- Reverted to NFI list: DE BJ Thompson
- Reverted to IR: WR Justin Lockhart
Los Angeles Rams
- Waived: DT David Olajiga
Tennessee Titans
- Re-signed: DT James Lynch
- Waived (with injury designation): OLB Kyron Johnson, WR Tay Martin
Though the Ravens and Packers have both already announced their undrafted free agent rookie class signings, both teams added an additional name to their groups today via rookie minicamp tryouts.
Martin, a smaller defensive back with impressive speed, transferred to Louisiana after two years at Youngstown State. He became a full-time starter for the Ragin’ Cajuns in 2023, tallying 109 total tackles, three interceptions, and 13 passes defensed during his two seasons in the starting lineup.
Coming out of Wilfrid Laurier University in Ontario, CAN, Elgersma went undrafted in the NFL draft but was selected in the second round of the 2025 draft for the Canadian Football League. He was also invited for a rookie minicamp tryout in Buffalo but will no longer attend after turning his Green Bay invite into a roster spot.
OL Notes: Conerly, Commanders, Dolphins, Patriots, Seahawks, Bears, Giants, Rams
As OTAs near, teams will begin evaluations regarding roles for rookie offensive linemen — and potential veteran relocations stemming from draft decisions. A couple of changes figure to come out of the Commanders‘ Josh Conerly Jr. draft choice. The Browns and Texans attempted to trade up for Conerly, but the Commanders ended up with the two-year Oregon left tackle starter at No. 29. Washington GM Adam Peters said (via ESPN.com’s John Keim) Conerly could play tackle or guard as a rookie.
Washington, which let Cornelius Lucas walk in free agency (to Cleveland), had already planned to move primary 2024 LT Brandon Coleman to RT before the draft. Two-year RT starter Andrew Wylie accepted a pay cut this offseason, and his past as a guard could become relevant again. Wylie has only played RT over the past four seasons, but the ex-Chief worked almost exclusively at guard from 2018-20. Wylie and potentially Coleman could be in the guard mix if Conerly stays at tackle opposite new LT Laremy Tunsil. The Commanders have ex-Chief Nick Allegretti at LG and a rehabbing Sam Cosmi at RG; the latter’s spot obviously will not be in jeopardy once he recovers from his January ACL tear, but he will not be a lock to avoid the PUP list to open the season.
Here is the latest from O-lines around the league:
- The Dolphins are slotting second-round pick Jonah Savaiinaea at guard, per GM Chris Grier, who expects (via the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson) the No. 37 overall pick to start from Day 1. Miami traded up for the Arizona product, outflanking the Patriots, who were (via the Boston Sports Journal’s Greg Bedard) believed to be eyeing him at No. 38. Savaiinaea will likely be set to displace Liam Eichenberg, who played all five O-line spots during his Dolphins rookie deal. Eichenberg, a 2021 second-round pick who re-signed on a one-year deal worth $2.23MM, is now set to operate as a swingman behind new starters Savaiinaea and James Daniels.
- Bears second-round pick Ozzy Trapilo served as Boston College’s RT starter in 2023 and ’24. Chicago choosing Trapilo at No. 56 points to him being eyed as a 2026 starter, as LT starter Braxton Jones is in a contract year. Ryan Poles said during a Kap & J-Hood ESPN 1000 interview (h/t ESPN.com’s Courtney Cronin) the Bears will begin Trapilo at LT this offseason, as the team is sufficiently confident Trapilo in Trapilo’s RT seasoning. That opens the door to starter work while Jones recovers from ankle surgery; Chicago’s three-year LT is expected to miss training camp time.
- Seattle will use its first-round pick, Grey Zabel, at guard, The Athletic’s Michael-Shawn Dugar notes. As our Ely Allen noted in his mock draft, the North Dakota State product played across the O-line with the Bison. Zabel saw time at both guard spots and each tackle position in college, and a center NFL future came up as well. The Seahawks, who did not allocate much in the way of resources to guard following Damien Lewis‘ 2024 exit, are set to place Zabel at LG, per Hall of Fame ex-Seahawk guard Steve Hutchinson (h/t ESPN.com’s Brady Henderson). Zabel would replace Laken Tomlinson at LG, while Henderson adds primary 2024 RG starter Anthony Bradford competes with 2024 third-rounder Christian Haynes, Sataoa Laumea and rookie sixth-rounder Bryce Cabeldue at the other guard post.
- As Evan Neal transitions to guard, a player viewed as a potential Giants guard starter — fifth-round rookie Marcus Mbow — will begin his career at tackle, Brian Daboll said (via the New York Post’s Paul Schwartz). Mbow was a full-time guard starter at Purdue in 2022, while he finished his career as the Boilermakers’ starting right tackle. Mbow will begin his career behind Andrew Thomas and Jermaine Eluemunor. The latter being in a contract year opens the door for an early-career move into the starting lineup, should Mbow prove ready.
- Rob Havenstein joins Jones in recovering from surgery, confirming (via The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue) he underwent cleanup procedures on both shoulders. Havenstein, 33 next week, will miss some offseason time but is not expected to be sidelined to start training camp. Missing six games last season, Havenstein is going into his 11th year as the Rams‘ RT starter.
Rams Finalize Matthew Stafford Restructure
After a new round of speculation about his future – tied not to his desire about playing in 2025, but rather where he would do so – Matthew Stafford and the Rams reached agreement on another restructure. Now, that deal is officially in place. 
Team and player finalized the new agreement over the weekend, as first reported by Ben Volin of the Boston Globe. Per the teams of the pact, Stafford will collect $44MM in 2025 along with $40MM the following year. That $84MM total stands in sharp contrast to the $58MM which was originally owed over the next two years (although it falls well short of the top of the QB market)
Stafford’s future has been considered year-to-year by Los Angeles, but the team’s latest raise notably included $56MM in full guarantees. That figure consists of the remaining $40MM to be paid out for this season, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, along with an additional $16MM in 2026. Rapoport adds that Stafford’s ’26 compensation will vest provided he remains on the roster by the start of free agency next spring.
For the past four years, Stafford has operated as the Rams’ starter. After helping lead the team to the Super Bowl during his debut Los Angeles campaign, the former No. 1 pick was limited to nine games the following year. Stafford has remained durable since then, and the Rams’ continued decision not to draft a successor indicates their confidence he will continue to operate at a high level moving forward.
The 37-year-old received permission to gauge his market this offseason, but no trade agreement was struck with suitors like the Giants or Raiders. As a result, Stafford and the Rams will look to build off the success of the 2024 campaign with stability under center for at least another two years. Given the length of this latest restructure, team and player will no doubt welcome the lack of questions regarding Stafford’s short-term outlook.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/5/25
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: TE Josiah Deguara
Green Bay Packers
- Waived: WR Tulu Griffin
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: WR Britain Covey
Josiah Deguara brings 65 games of experience to Arizona, with the majority of those appearances coming during his four seasons with the Packers. While he’s had a consistent special teams role in recent years, he’s also managed to contribute offensively. This includes a 2021 campaign where he hauled in 25 catches and two touchdowns with Aaron Rodgers as his QB.
The tight end is coming off a 15-game showing in Jacksonville where he was limited to only three catches all season. The veteran should compete for a role behind Trey McBride, with the Cardinals also rostering the likes of Tip Reiman and Elijah Higgins at the position.
2025 NFL Draft Results: Team By Team
Here is every team’s haul from the 2025 NFL Draft:
Arizona Cardinals
- Round 1, No. 16: Walter Nolen (DT, Ole Miss) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 47: Will Johnson (CB, Michigan) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 78: Jordan Burch (OLB, Oregon) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 115: Cody Simon (LB, Ohio State) (signed)
- Round 5, 174 (from Cowboys)*: Denzel Burke (CB, Ohio State) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 211 (from Cowboys)*: Hayden Conner (G, Texas) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 225 (from Jets through Chiefs): Kitan Crawford (S, Nevada) (signed)
Atlanta Falcons
- Round 1, No. 15: Jalon Walker (LB, Georgia) (signed)
- Round 1, No. 26 (from Rams): James Pearce (DE, Tennessee) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 96 (from Eagles): Xavier Watts (S, Notre Dame) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 118: Billy Bowman (S, Oklahoma) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 218 (from Browns through Chargers): Jack Nelson (T, Wisconsin) (signed)
Baltimore Ravens
- Round 1, No. 27: Malaki Starks (S, Georgia) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 59: Mike Green (OLB, Marshall) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 91: Emery Jones (T, LSU) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 129: Teddye Buchanan (LB, Cal) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 141* (from Titans): Carson Vinson (T, Alabama A&M) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 178 (from Titans): Bilhal Kone (CB, Western Michigan) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 186 (from Jets): Tyler Loop (K, Arizona) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 203: LaJohntay Wester (WR, Colorado) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 210*: Aeneas Peebles (DT, Virginia Tech) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 212*: Robert Longerbeam (CB, Rutgers) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 243: Garrett Dellinger (G, LSU) (signed)
Buffalo Bills
- Round 1, No. 30: Maxwell Hairston (CB, Kentucky) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 41 (from Bears): T.J. Sanders (DT, South Carolina) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 72 (from Bears): Landon Jackson (DE, Arkansas) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 109 (from Bears through Bills and Bears): Deone Walker (DT, Kentucky) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 170 (from Cowboys)*: Jordan Hancock (CB, Ohio State) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 173*: Jackson Hawes (TE, Georgia Tech) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 177 (from Giants): Dorian Strong (CB, Virginia Tech) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 206: Chase Lundt (T, UConn) (signed)
- Round 7, 240 (from Vikings through Browns and Bears): Kaden Prather (WR, Maryland) (signed)
Carolina Panthers
- Round 1, No. 8: Tetairoa McMillan (WR, Arizona) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 51 (from Broncos): Nic Scourton (OLB, Texas A&M) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 77 (from Falcons through Patriots): Princely Umanmielen (OLB, Ole Miss) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 114 (from Cowboys): Trevor Etienne (RB, Georgia) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 122 (from Broncos): Lathan Ransom (S, Ohio State) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 140 (from Giants): Cam Jackson (DT, Florida) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 163 (from Ravens): Mitchell Evans (TE, Notre Dame) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 208 (from Eagles through Broncos): Jimmy Horn (WR, Colorado) (signed)
Chicago Bears
- Round 1, No. 10: Colston Loveland (TE, Michigan) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 39 (from Panthers): Luther Burden (WR, Missouri) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 56 (from Vikings through Texans and Bills): Ozzy Trapilo (T, Boston College) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 62: Shemar Turner (DT, Texas A&M) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 132 (from Bills): Ruban Hyppolite (LB, Maryland) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 169 (from Bills)*: Zah Frazier (CB, Texas-San Antonio) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 195 (from Steelers through Rams): Luke Newman (G, Michigan State) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 233 (from Bengals): Kyle Monangai (RB, Rutgers) (signed)
Cincinnati Bengals
- Round 1, No. 17: Shemar Stewart (DE, Texas A&M) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 49: Demetrius Knight (LB, South Carolina) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 81: Dylan Fairchild (G, Georgia) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 119: Barrett Carter (LB, Clemson) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 153: Jalen Rivers (T, Miami) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 193: Tahj Brooks (RB, Texas Tech) (signed)
Cleveland Browns
- Round 1, No. 5 (from Jaguars): Mason Graham (DT, Michigan) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 33: Carson Schwesinger (LB, UCLA) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 36 (from Jaguars): Quinshon Judkins (RB, Ohio State) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 67: Harold Fannin Jr. (TE, Bowling Green) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 94 (from Bills): Dillon Gabriel (QB, Oregon) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 126 (from Vikings through Jaguars): Dylan Sampson (RB, Tennessee) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 144 (from Patriots through Seahawks): Shedeur Sanders (QB, Colorado) (signed)
Dallas Cowboys
- Round 1, No. 12: Tyler Booker (G, Alabama) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 44: Donovan Ezeiruaku (DE, Boston College) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 76: Shavon Revel (CB, East Carolina) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 149: Jaydon Blue (RB, Texas) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 152 (from Cardinals): Shemar James (LB, Florida) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 204 (from Lions through Browns and Bills): Ajani Cornelius (G, Oregon) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 217 (from Titans through Patriots): Jay Toia (DT, UCLA) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 239 (from Packers through Titans): Phil Mafah (RB, Clemson) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 247 (from Chiefs through Panthers): Tommy Akingbesote (DT, Maryland) (signed)
An Early Look At 2026 NFL Draft QB Options
2025 was a proclaimed down year for quarterback prospects in the draft. New Titans quarterback Cam Ward was certainly deserving of his first-round status, but no other passers really commanded a first-round grade. Jaxson Dart ended up slipping into the back end of the first thanks to a trade up by the Giants, but Tyler Shough, Jalen Milroe, and Shedeur Sanders all slipped down to later rounds in Green Bay. 
While the lack of elite talent behind Ward certainly contributed to lessened interest in reaching for passers in the first round, the potential quality of the 2026 NFL Draft class may have played a part, as well. This is especially apparent with teams like the Browns and Rams, who didn’t acquire first-round passers this year but did acquire 2026 first-round picks. Those two picks in 2026 will come in handy as Jeff Howe of The Athletic tells us that “personnel departments have been optimistic for months about the group” of passers that could declare for the next draft.
One of the main factors that could contribute to a strong quarterback class in 2026 is the status of Texas passer Arch Manning. Grandson of Archie Manning and nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning, Arch’s tenure as the Longhorns’ starter has been highly anticipated as new Dolphins passer Quinn Ewers closed out his career.
Manning has shown plenty of promise in limited time. In 12 games (two starts), Manning has completed 66 percent of his passes for 939 yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions, adding four more scores on the ground. It will be interesting to see if the youth comes out of school after only three years. Though the grandfather, Archie, came out of Ole Miss after only three seasons to go second overall in the 1971 NFL Draft, he highly encouraged Peyton and Eli to stay four years apiece at their respective alma maters. Enough hype off of a strong season may be enough to lure Arch out of Austin next year, but there’s always a chance he returns to campus and diminishes the 2026 class a bit.
Even without Manning, though, there’s still plenty of talent in next year’s class. LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier and Penn State’s Drew Allar have consistently been billed as the next big NFL arms in college football, projecting consistently as future first-round picks. Unfortunately, the 2024 season did little to support either’s claim for a top draft spot.
After an impressive performance (395 passing yards, three touchdowns) in the Tigers’ bowl game victory over Wisconsin in 2023 (his first start), Nussmeier returned to Baton Rouge to start all 13 games in his redshirt junior season with plenty of hype. In some respects, he absolutely delivered. His 4,052 passing yards were second in the SEC this year behind only Dart (4,279), second in school history behind only Joe Burrow (5,671), and 10th in SEC history. Dart accomplished his number with 127 fewer pass attempts, though, while Burrow threw for 1,619 more yards on just two more attempts. Nussmeier also tied with Ewers and Carson Beck for the most interceptions (12) in the SEC last year. If Nussmeier can develop a more efficient passing game with more looks downfield while limiting turnovers, he may be able to retain his first-round stock next year. It would also benefit him to develop a bit more mobility; he currently has -96 career rushing yards (sacks count as negative rushing attempts in college).
At one point a five-star recruit and the top quarterback in the 2022 recruiting class, according to 247Sports, Allar has, so far, failed to live up to the hype in Happy Valley. After appearing in 10 games as a true freshman, Allar became the Nittany Lions’ full-time starter as a sophomore in 2023. He only completed 59.9 percent of his passes for 2,631 yards that season, but he became the second quarterback in FBS history to throw for 25 or more touchdowns and two or fewer interceptions after Hendon Hooker did so with 27 and two, respectively, in 2022. Allar improved his completion percentage (66.5) and passing yardage (3,327) in 16 games in 2024 (only a slight rise in yards per game), but his 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions indicated a step back. He does boast some rushing ability, though, with 560 yards and 11 touchdowns in three years. Penn State hasn’t been known for big passing numbers as they’ve transitioned from Trace McSorley to Sean Clifford to Allar, but one would expect Allar’s five-star talent to elevate the passing attack a bit more than it has. If he continues to put up lackluster numbers, he’ll still likely hear his name called in the draft, it just may not be in the first round.
One passer who may have passed both Nussmeier and Allar with his 2024 performance was Clemson’s Cade Klubnik. Another five-star recruit, and the second-ranked quarterback under Allar in the 2022 recruiting class, Klubnik was incredibly underwhelming in his first two years with the Tigers. Last year, though, Klubnik passed for 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns, and only six interceptions while rushing for 463 yards and seven more scores. His performance led Clemson to an ACC Championship and a College Football Playoff berth. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) graded Klubnik as the eighth-best passer last season in the NCAA, over both Nussmeier (23rd) and Allar (32nd). 
Another name drawing plenty of first-round interest is South Carolina dual-threat quarterback LaNorris Sellers. Like Manning, and unlike Nussmeier, Allar, and Klubnik, Sellers will only be a redshirt sophomore next season, but he showed flashes of serious star potential in 2024 that has scouts licking their chops. Barely registering any time as a true freshman, Sellers entered this past fall as the Gamecocks’ starter. Missing a game and a half with injury, Sellers put up a 65.6 percent completion rate, 2,534 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, while rushing for 674 yards and seven more scores. He got off to a slow start, but starting with the team’s seventh matchup of the year, Sellers blew up, averaging 249 passing yards per game and 65 rushing yards per game while scoring 18 touchdowns (14 passing, four rushing) and throwing only three picks. The team ended the regular season on a six-game winning streak before losing its bowl game.
Two other names that scouts are dog-earring early are Nico Iamaleava and Fernando Mendoza, who have both transferred to new schools for 2025. Iamaleava is heading to UCLA after two seasons in Tennessee. Becoming a full-time starter for the Volunteers as a redshirt freshman, Iamaleava helped Tennessee win 10 games. His passing numbers (2,616 yards, 19 touchdowns, five interceptions) and rushing numbers (358 yards, three touchdowns) were only small contributions, though, for a team that was carried by a strong run game and defense. Still, Iamaleava’s ball security should be valued on a Bruins team that saw Ethan Garbers throw 11 interceptions in a disappointing senior campaign last year.
Mendoza is heading to Indiana after nearly two full years as the starter at Cal. Mendoza took over as the Golden Bears’ starter in the sixth game of the team’s 2023 campaign and started every game for the rest of the year. He started 11 games for Cal in 2024, averaging 273.1 yards per game for 16 touchdowns and only six interceptions. He also displays some decent mobility out of the pocket. Mendoza and former Indiana passer Kurtis Rourke will essentially switch cities with Rourke landing with the 49ers in the draft. Under head coach Curt Cignetti, Mendoza could have a breakout year with the Hoosiers.
And these are just the preseason names marked with first-round potential. At this time last year, Ward was considered a likely Day 3 option. Howe notes options like Ward’s successor at Miami, Beck, Dart’s successor at Ole Miss, Austin Simmons, Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt, Baylor’s Sawyer Robinson, and Kansas State’s Avery Johnson all as names that could skyrocket up the board with strong 2025 campaigns. Another one of Ward’s successors, John Mateer, who followed Ward as the starter at Washington State last year, is primed to be a contender, as well, in 2025 after transferring to Oklahoma.
For now, this is a ton of speculation. With the nature of the draft and transfer portal, so many of these quarterbacks’ teams will look extremely different in 2025, and it could really affect their performances as a result, potentially making 2026’s quarterback crop as thin as 2025’s. Small school or FCS passers could force their way into the conversation, as well. Or any number of these players could defer to the 2027 NFL Draft and make that year’s class even stronger. Regardless, teams like the Browns and Rams, with extra first-round picks next year, are feeling much more optimistic about the quarterback depth of the 2026 NFL Draft.