The 2026 QB Class Is a Wasteland for the Eagles — And That's Perfectly Fine

Every draft cycle, some team talks itself into reaching for a quarterback. Every cycle, it ends in tears. The 2026 QB class beyond Fernando Mendoza is thin, uninspiring, and full of red flags — and the Eagles should not touch any of these guys with premium picks. Fortunately, they don't need to.

Mendoza Is the Only Blue-Chip QB

Let's be clear about one thing: Fernando Mendoza is a legitimate franchise quarterback prospect. The Indiana Heisman winner is the consensus No. 1 overall pick, and he's earned it. His journey from QB4 to Heisman winner is one of the great development stories in recent college football history. He's going first overall to the Raiders, and the Eagles were never in the conversation for him anyway.

After Mendoza? That's where it gets ugly.

Drew Allar: The "Only" Option Is a Stretch

Drew Allar out of Penn State has the arm talent and the size that NFL scouts love. He's got a cannon and he's been in big games in the Big Ten. But here's the problem: Allar's decision-making under pressure has been inconsistent throughout his college career. He holds the ball too long, he struggles to process complex coverages quickly, and his pocket presence needs work.

For a team that needs a Day 1 starter, Allar is a project. For a team drafting in the late first round like the Eagles potentially could, he's a reach. He's the kind of prospect who could be very good in three years — or could flame out because his processing speed never catches up to the NFL game. That's not a gamble Philadelphia needs to make with Jalen Hurts under center.

Cole Payton: The FCS Dark Horse

Here's where it gets fun. Cole Payton out of North Dakota State is the name nobody is talking about yet — but they will be after the Combine. The Walter Payton Award finalist set NDSU single-season records for pass efficiency (193.8), total offense per game (268.9), and yards per pass attempt (12.1). Those are absurd numbers.

Yes, it's FCS football. Yes, the competition level is a massive step down from the Big Ten or SEC. But NDSU has a track record of producing NFL-caliber players, and Payton's Combine invitation means evaluators are taking him seriously. He's a dark horse — probably a Day 3 pick — but in a class this thin at QB, he's got as good a chance as anyone to outperform expectations.

Carson Beck: Too Many Red Flags

Carson Beck was supposed to be the guy. Coming into the 2025 season, the Georgia quarterback was projected as a potential top-10 pick. But regression, turnovers, and questions about his ability to perform in big moments have cratered his stock. Beck's tape shows a quarterback who can look elite against mid-tier opponents and completely fall apart against top defenses.

For the Eagles, Beck would be a terrible use of draft capital. He doesn't solve any problems, and his ceiling is backup quarterback. Hard pass.

The Eagles Don't Need a QB — Invest Elsewhere

Here's the bottom line: the Eagles have Jalen Hurts. He just took them to the Super Bowl. The 2026 QB class behind Mendoza is not worth a premium pick. Spend those picks on edge rushers, safeties, and offensive linemen. Let the Giants and Raiders fight over the quarterbacks. Philadelphia's window is open right now — don't waste it chasing a position you don't need.

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Watch: 2026 QB Class Is Trash (https://youtu.be/aHcekwq8PaE) | Clip: QB Class + CB Debate (https://youtu.be/UPEWk1Ko-do)