Rams Rookie QB Watch: Is this the wrong draft to replace Stafford?

There are a few ways to look at this quarterback class heading into 2026. On one hand, there aren’t a handful of quarterbacks playing their way into being top-10 picks as was initially projected. That benefits the Los Angeles Rams who likely won’t have a top-10 selection. If the Rams end up with a pick in the 15-20 range courtesy of the Atlanta Falcons, they may not have to trade up to get their guy. On the other hand, is there a quarterback worth taking in the back half of the first round?

Any quarterback the Rams draft should get a year to sit behind Matthew Stafford and the team will get to develop that quarterback. Still, this class has generally been underwhelming to say. It’s important to remember that these are just 21 year old kids and they aren’t finished products by any means. There is still plenty of time for them to improve. However, there is also some cause for hesitancy.

Same old, Same old

Drew Allar, Penn State

Do you blame James Franklin or Drew Allar for the performance against Oregon on Sunday? Is it a coincidence that Franklin is 2-21 against AP top-6 opponents and Allar has also struggled against top-6 opponents? Saturday against Oregon was an example of both Franklin and Allar disappointing in what was a very big game. It was Allar’s interception that ended it for Penn State.

Allar was just 14-for-25 for 137 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. He deserves some credit for bringing Penn State back from a 17-3 deficit. Still, he was less than stellar for three quarters of the game and threw the game-clinching interception. A team is going to take Allar high because he has the tools and athleticism. There are moments on film where he scans the field and gets through multiple reads. However, he hasn’t taken that next step in his game and is that because Allar has hit his ceiling or Franklin is limiting it?

Player Performance Rating: 5/10

Garrett Nussmeier, LSU

Out of the college quarterbacks this season, Nussmeier has seemed to be the most pro-ready out of the quarterbacks in this class. Much like Allar, he deserves some credit for bringing LSU back and it would’ve been nice to see him get another shot at the end. However, for much of the game against Ole Miss he was too inconsistent and not accurate with the ball. The LSU offensive line struggled in this game and Nussmeier let that get to him a little bit. He was inaccurate and tried to force plays down the field that simply weren’t there to make.

Nussmeier is still my top-rated quarterback throughout the first five games of the college football season. Ole Miss is a good football team and Nussmeier didn’t get help from his offensive line or the run game. His wide receivers also didn’t do him many favors. With that said, Nussmeier has been inconsistent for a few weeks now. It’s fair to question if he warrants a top selection.

Player Performance Rating: 5/10

All aboard the hype train

Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

It does not get much better than the clinic that Fernando Mendoza put on against Iowa on Saturday. The hole shot that he threw from the far hash in this game was a thing of beauty. Fernando Mendoza finished just 13-for-23 for 233 yards, but he consistently makes the ‘NFL throws’ like this one, which should get him some first round buzz. This is what he’s been doing all season.

Mendoza is a reason why waiting on a quarterback in the 2026 class may be the better option. Players like Nussmeier and Allar are going to get a lot of the attention, but there may simply be better value in someone like Mendoza who could end up in the second round.

Player Performance Rating: 7/10

Sam Leavitt, Arizona State

I’ve been pretty vocal about Sam Leavitt needing to return to school for another year and it wouldn’t be surprising if that’s what he decides to do. If Leavitt continues to build on his performance against TCU, it’s worth wondering whether the Rams have two first round picks in the wrong draft.

Leavitt led Arizona State back from 17-7 and tied the game with under two minutes to play with an 11-play, 73-yard drive. That drive was heavily aided by a strong run game and some penalties, but Leavitt played well throughout this game. He finished 27-for-39 for 291 yards and two touchdowns while adding 62 rushing yards. Leavitt has a lot of growing to do, but this is the player that many expected to see at the beginning of the season.

Player Performance Rating: 7.5/10

Let’s talk about these guys more

Connor Weigman, Houston

It seems as if nobody is talking about Connor Weigman and this is someone who was the number three recruited quarterback in the 2022 class behind Drew Allar and Cade Klubnik. It didn’t work out for Weigman at Texas A&M, but he transferred to Houston and has the Cougars 4-0. Houston trailed 24-10 in the fourth quarter against Oregon State and Weigman threw two touchdown passes to tie the game.

Weigman isn’t going to be a first round player by any means, but nobody seems to be talking about him right now. Houston plays No. 11 Texas Tech on Saturday which will be a big test, but Weigman seems to be a forgotten player in this 2026 quarterback class.

Player Performance Rating: 7/10

Dante Moore, Oregon

Dante Moore had the game that everybody was hoping Drew Allar would have. The Oregon quarterback finished 29-for-39 with 248 yards and three touchdowns. On his game-winning touchdown pass in overtime, Moore avoided the edge defender before throwing a sidearm pass downfield to his wide receiver.

Moore’s draft stock should continue to rise. His pocket movement and composure against Penn State was impressive and he has enough athleticism to improvise with his legs, but his mobility isn’t the focal point of his game. Dante Moore and Fernando Mendoza go head to head in a few weeks and all eyes will be on that one.

Player Performance Rating: 7.5/10

Who to Watch this Week

• Clemson @ North Carolina: 10/4, 12 p.m. – Cade Klubnik
• Kansas State @ Baylor: 10/4, 12 p.m. – Sawyer Robertson
• Penn State @ UCLA: 10/4, 3:30 p.m. – Drew Allar
• Texas @ Florida: 10/4, 3:30 p.m. – Arch Manning
• Vanderbilt @ Alabama: 10/4, 3:30 p.m. – Diego Pavia
• Texas Tech @ Houston: 10/4, 7 p.m. – Connor Weigman
• Miami @ Florida State: 10/4, 7:30 p.m. – Carson Beck, Thomas Castellanos

The big game from this slate will be Miami taking on Florida State. Miami is coming off of a bye week and Carson Beck has looked good this season. Thomas Castellanos has been one of the stories of college football as he garners some draft buzz. Diego Pavia and Vanderbilt taking on Alabama will be a big game to watch as well.