Which quarterbacks are left in the 2026 NFL draft: Full list of available QBs feat. Diego Pavia

Only two quarterbacks come off the board in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft on Thursday night. The Las Vegas Raiders selected Fernando Mendoza at No. 1, and the LA Rams took Ty Simpson at No. 13.

It wasn’t until the third round that more quarterbacks started to come off the board. The Arizona Cardinals grabbed Carson Beck at No. 65, followed by the Pittsburgh Steelers selecting Drew Allar at No. 76.

With the top quarterbacks already off the board, attention now turns to the next group of passers. LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier and North Dakota’s Cole Payton headline the remaining options, both expected to hear their names called on Saturday. Meanwhile, Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia could emerge as a late-round pick, although his draft status remains uncertain.

Let’s take a look at the quarterbacks still available as the draft heads into its final day.

Best quarterbacks still available in the 2026 NFL draft

#1 – Garrett Nussmeier (LSU)

Once projected as a potential first-round pick, Garrett Nussmeier is still waiting to hear his name called after three rounds.

Nussmeier showed his upside in 2024, throwing for over 4,000 yards and 29 touchdowns as LSU’s starting quarterback. But his form took a hit in 2025, when a nagging torso injury limited him to fewer than 2,000 yards and 12 touchdowns.

That drop in production, along with durability concerns, appears to have pushed him down draft boards.

#2 – Cade Klubnik (Clemson)

Like Garrett Nussmeier, Cade Klubnik entered the 2025 college football season with first-round expectations. However, he was unable to live up to that billing.

Klubnik’s inconsistency has caused his stock to fall into Day 3 territory. He’s still expected to be drafted, but it may not come until the later rounds on Saturday.

#3 – Luke Altmyer (Illinois)

Few quarterbacks left in this class can match what Luke Altmyer accomplished at Illinois. He led the program through its most successful two-year stretch and built a strong reputation along the way.

His performance in the 2025 Music City Bowl, where he was named MVP, also strengthened his case as a draftable prospect.

Altmyer is expected to be a Day 3 pick, with a realistic range between the fourth and fifth rounds.

#4 – Sawyer Robertson (Baylor)

Across three seasons at Baylor, Sawyer Robertson threw for 7,616 yards and 61 touchdowns, establishing himself as one of the program’s most prolific passers.

In 2025, he led the nation in passing yards per game for much of the year and finished fifth in touchdown passes. Robertson is projected as a late-round pick, with most evaluators seeing him as a sixth- or seventh-round option.

#5 – Taylen Green (Arkansas)

Taylen Green may not be the most polished passer in this class, but his athletic upside makes him an intriguing late-round option. He’s currently projected to go in the seventh round.

What sets him apart is his ability as a runner. In 2025, he finished second among SEC quarterbacks in rushing yards, behind Diego Pavia.

Green put together a well-rounded stat line with 2,714 passing yards, 19 passing touchdowns, 777 rushing yards and eight rushing scores. He also turned heads at the scouting combine with a blazing 4.36-second 40-yard dash.

#6 – Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt)

Despite finishing second in Heisman Trophy voting in 2025 behind Fernando Mendoza, Diego Pavia is currently projected as a seventh-round pick or even an undrafted free agent. The main concern is his size. At 5-foot-9, he doesn’t fit the typical NFL quarterback mold.

However, his production is enticing. In two seasons at Vanderbilt, Pavia threw for 5,832 yards and 49 touchdowns while adding 1,663 rushing yards and 18 scores on the ground, making him one of the most dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks in this class.

#7 – Cole Payton (North Dakota)

Cole Payton gained more fans during the pre-draft process with impressive showings at the Senior Bowl and the NFL combine, but he remains on the board heading into Day 3.

In 2025, he led North Dakota to a 12-1 season, showing efficiency with 2,719 passing yards, 16 touchdowns and only four interceptions on a 72% completion rate.

Payton is also a legitimate dual-threat option, adding 777 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns.

#8 – Haynes King (Georgia Tech)

Haynes King leaves Georgia Tech with plenty of accolades, including ACC Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year honors, and a reputation as a fierce competitor.

His toughness and leadership will stand out in the NFL, but his ceiling at quarterback appears limited, with most teams likely viewing him as a depth option at best.