Overall this was one of the better drafts in years. It certainly fell fall short of being fair or unbiased but within the rules of the caste system I would have to say it was successful. The QB position saw 9/10 White QBs selected, 17 TEs drafted (the boomerang at this position from the mid 2000s has been pretty amazing - Gronk, Witten, Kelce all helped pave the way), 8 OTs, 6. OGs, 10 Centers (guys like Zuhn/Parker may end up playing elsewhere on the line), 9 LBs, 3 DEs and 3 Safeties drafted including a 1st rounder. Caste busters Kaden Wetjen and Eli Heidenreich both getting picked up by the Steelers was a good sub plot as well.
As in every year the 2027 mock drafts are already being published and the same narrative being pushed about the 2027 draft was being stated about the 2026 draft a year ago. Looking back to the "Way too early" 2026 mock drafts the agenda was obvious - Nico Iamaleava, Lanorris Sellers and Jalon Daniels were all 1st round picks along with Arch Manning and Garrett Nussmeier. In short the media was talking up the 2026 draft class as a very deep draft because of the non-White QBs. Fast forward to this year, the draft has just ended and the media with it's unrelenting and predictable agenda is now pushing black QBs again in the 2027 draft which is truly the year to draft a QB. Of course during the broadcast this was mentioned over and over again. So last year's presumptive number one overall pick Arch Manning is now not viewed as the consensus number 1 QB according to Daniel Cuckemiah who would of course select Dante Moore. Anyways, that is my rant for now on the 2027 draft. As usual I will wait until August and the college football previews to be complete before I dive into next year's list of prospects.
I wanted to do a quick review of the QB selections.
1/1 - QB Fernando Mendoza - This was a surprise to no one but it was still great to see Mendoza end up being the first QB selected, the last White QB that went 1 overall was Trevor Lawrence in 2021. He's physically and mentally equipped for the NFL and the Raiders at long last seem like they have a plan at the position after squandering Derek Carr's career. Looking forward to seeing him develop behind Cousins and eventually take over.
1/13 - QB Ty Simpson - I was a bit shocked by this pick. Everything I read made it seem like the Rams did like him but not enough to use the 13th overall pick on him. The more logical teams like the Jets/Browns/Cardinals on paper seemed likelier destinations but the Rams liked him enough to use their first round pick on him. Simpson's situation couldn't be much more ideal. He will get to sit and develop behind Stafford while being brought along by one of the few elite offensive minds in the league. He spent his career at Alabama and although he did not start until this season he did play and get developed over his career (not to mention his dad is an FCS coach). The small sample size is certainly a risk but I am willing to bet he could of started over Milroe in 2023 and 2024. Simpson also seems like a good kid, down to earth, religious, mature and intelligent. The selection was initially criticized and mocked with much being made about McVay's demeanor at the Rams press conference. This bit of news came out a few hours ago which of courses makes the media and their attempt at some draft day drama look like the fools they are:
3/1 - QB Carson Beck - I was surprised Beck was the third QB off the board but not disappointed. The Cardinals are going away from 7 seasons of manlet ball (which the Vikings decided to embrace) and bringing in an actual prototypical QB. Ironically enough I would compare Beck to Brissett just due to their similar physical stature and style of play. Beck was a much better college QB than Brissett and comes into the league with more starts, experience and production than Brissett had. On top of that Brissett is holding out for starter money so Beck may end up getting a chance to start earlier than anticipated. Brissett is a career journeyman/bridge QB and at 33 his "upside" is gone whereas Beck is all upside at this point. To me Beck came off as a bit aloof after transferring into Miami but he is saying all the right things so his opportunity in Arizona is something to keep an eye on.
Miami quarterback and Arizona Cardinals third-round selection Carson Beck is ready for whatever his first season at the NFL level brings.
arizonasports.com
3/12 - QB Drew Allar - This was a good pick but also adds a good young QB to a roster with another promising one in Will Howard. The Pittsburgh QB room is intriguing with Rodgers decision yet to be made. Allar has all the physical talent in the world, played well as PSU in an offense not tailored to his abilities. Landing in Pittsburgh with another capable offensive mind in Mike McCarthy is certainly a positive. Allar certainly has development and refinement to his game and mechanics but physically he is one of of the most talented QBs in this year's class. McCarthy's presence bodes well for both Allar and Howard. If Rodgers does return I think that will have a positive effect too. The media reaction and post draft analysis seems to be more critical than favorable but again they all read from the same script.
Ben Solak is a typical self made draft "expert" who is just another geek spewing out caste speak and worshipping blacks. Here is his critical take on the Steelers QB position
The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a quarterback problem for the last few seasons. Ben Roethlisberger was their franchise player for almost 20 years, but they didn’t have a great succession plan for after he retired. They took a swing at Kenny Pickett, but that didn’t work out. Now, the Steelers...
steelersdepot.com
4/10 - QB Cade Klubnik - I honestly thought Klubnik would be selected lower so I was pleasantly surprised when he ended up going here. He was excellent in 2024 and Clemson struggled in 2025. I did a quick check and they were ranked 23rd in the country in dropped passes last season. Klubnik has a ton of experience and is a threat to run. The Jets per usual are a dumpster fire but going in Klubnik's favor is one of the weaker QB rooms in the league with the possibly the worst starting QB in the league. It's fair to say Klubnik may get a chance to play this season. Also going in his favor is that the Jets traded up to get him.
5/38 - QB Cole Payton - This one was a bit of a surprise but it also made sense. Payton is a big, athletic QB and as
@Don Wassall mentioned when the pick was made Jalen Hurts tenure as starter while still solid might not be as long term as one would assume. I really don't care for the Eagles, their head coach is a douchebag and I still hold ill will towards the organization for how the failed Carson Wentz. I do however like Cole Payton, he was fun to watch this year and was developed over several years in the NDSU system which has a lot of pro style concepts. Only issue here is that much like in Pittsburgh their is a potential logjam at QB with Dalton, McKee and Payton all behind Hurts. The irony of an NDSU QB taking the job from Hurts wouldn't be lost on me though.
7/7 - QB Athan Kaliakmanis - This was an interesting pick. Believe it or not I did watch some Rutgers football the past few seasons and Kaliakmanis did indeed improve from his time at Minnesota and his two years at Rutgers. I was glad to see him get selected, Washington has the often injured fragile Daniels starting, the aging poly bust Mariota and the disappointing Sam Hartman. It's not far fetched to think Kaliakmanis makes the team with a strong training camp and preseason.
7/18 - QB Behren Morton - Can't blame the Pats for taking a flier on Morton. He certainly flashed over his career at Texas Tech and I always thought he had a good arm. Injuries have been an issue with him.
7/33 - Garrett Nussmeier - Frankly I was shocked he was not selected before every other QB besides Simpson and Mendoza. Nussmeier really fell on the sword for Brian Kelly this year and it was tough to watch him fall. While I hate the Chiefs this is actually a decent landing spot because Fat Bastard is also a good offensive mind. Nussmeier could have a chance to challenge Fields for the 2nd string job. I think his injury - cyst on his spine caused him to drop.
donwassall.substack.com
