Ranking 2026 QB draft class: Is Arch Manning clear-cut No. 1 of a stacked bunch?

If you are wondering why quarterback-needy teams like the Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Rams decided to acquire multiple first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, it's due to the spectacular collection of quarterbacks in next year’s class. Though the draft has been dubbed "the Arch Manning Sweepstakes" due to the anticipated entry of the Texas standout, the 2026 class features a talented collection of passers and playmakers with the potential to emerge as franchise QB at the next level. 

While the 2025 class did not garner rave reviews from evaluators looking for a QB1, the upcoming crop of quarterbacks could provide teams with plenty of options to address their needs. Whether it is a classic drop-back passer ideally suited to play in a traditional pro-style system or a mobile playmaker with the arm talent and athleticism to produce explosive plays as a dual-threat, the 2026 class will likely feature a smorgasbord of playmakers who appeal to team builders around the league. 

After taking a few days to conduct an extensive film study on the group, here's an early preview of the quarterback prospects who have scouts salivating over the 2026 class.

Scouts looking for a hidden gem could find the Iowa State gunslinger intriguing based on his performance and production with the Cyclones. Becht picks apart defenses with surgical precision, executing a quick-rhythm offense that features a variety of "dink-and-dunk" concepts. While his inconsistencies with his accuracy and ball placement must improve in 2025, Becht’s hot streaks provide a glimpse at his potential as a distributor in a rhythm offense that relies on a "catch-and-throw" wizard at the position. 

After making a surprising transfer to "The U," Beck could erase a