Breaking Down the 2026 QB Draft Class (w/ Scott Turner)

In this deep-dive episode of The MMQB NFL Podcast, host Conor Orr and guest Scott Turner, a veteran NFL offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach with extensive experience evaluating draft talent, break down the 2026 quarterback class with unmatched insight. Turner, who coached Cam Newton, Teddy Bridgewater, and worked with Josh McDaniels, brings a coach’s eye to the evaluation process, emphasizing that true quarterback evaluation requires understanding not just physical traits, but the specific demands of a player’s college offense. He identifies Fernando Mendoza as the clear top prospect, praising his poise, accuracy, and physical tools, while acknowledging the learning curve of transitioning from an air raid system to NFL-style under-center play. Turner also provides nuanced analysis of Ty Simpson, Garrett Nussmeier, Drew Allar, Carson Beck, and Cole Payton, highlighting how intangibles, experience, and situational adversity shape a quarterback’s draft stock. He stresses that the number of starts matters more than raw talent, and warns against overvaluing high-ceiling, low-floor prospects without proven resilience. The conversation underscores the unpredictability of the 2026 draft, where the top two picks may be clear, but the rest of the class remains wide open, with value likely to emerge in the later rounds. The episode ends with a candid reflection on the realities of the draft process, including the impact of NIL, team dynamics, and the long-term development of players who don’t fit the traditional mold. Key takeaways include: 1) Evaluate quarterbacks based on what they were asked to do in college, not just their stats; 2) More starts correlate with greater NFL readiness due to accumulated reps and experience; 3) Physical traits are important, but football IQ and intangibles often separate elite prospects from solid backups; 4) The 2026 draft is unusually wide open after the top two, making later-round picks potentially valuable; 5) Coaches must balance development with immediate need, especially when drafting a first-rounder as a potential starter. Overall, the episode delivers a grounded, realistic perspective on quarterback evaluation, cutting through the noise of media comps and hype to focus on process, context, and long-term potential.