If there is no sure-fire QB prospect (which I'm leaning towards if the rankings are shifting as much as the tweet would indicate), then I REALLY hope we don't push all our chips in for a QB. We gotta rebuild the entire Oline as well as the WR room, and I'm not sure how much we can rely on FA due to our continued cap constraints.
There is no such thing as a sure-fire QB prospect. Many busts prove that out. I believe there will be 3 taking in the top 5 to 10 next season. Mendoza, Simpson, and Moore.
Here are the draft profiles of the 3 you mentioned. None of these profiles scream "consensus top QB". I actually read that in Moore's profile as being the reason he's considered as a top pick. Even the one mentioned as a potential top pick (Mendoza) mentions that his draft slot is going to be influenced by his play this year as he has limited time vs top-tier competition.
Passing on a starter-caliber OT or #1WR for a project QB (especially after the season we're having now) would be one of the Brownsiest moves we've done... and that's saying something.
Mendoza
The draft profile for Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza in the 2026 NFL Draft highlights a player with an ideal frame (\(6^{\prime }5",225lbs\)), strong arm, and high accuracy, especially on short-to-intermediate passes. His strengths include excellent pocket presence, intelligence, and the ability to make plays off-script, while a key area for improvement is his tendency to take unnecessary sacks by not scrambling soon enough. Mendoza is considered a top prospect, with some projections listing him as a potential first-round pick. Strengths Arm Strength and Accuracy: Mendoza possesses a strong arm and is an accurate passer, particularly on short and intermediate routes.Pocket Presence and Poise: He shows great poise and patience in the pocket, capable of standing tall under pressure to deliver strikes.Intelligence and Processing: He has a high football IQ, excels at reading defenses pre-snap, and makes good decisions, including adjusting to the blitz.Athleticism: While not a designed runner, he has good athleticism for the position, allowing him to extend plays and throw accurately on the move.Leadership: He has demonstrated strong leadership qualities, as seen in his performance in critical situations like third and fourth downs. Areas for improvement Sacks: He can be reluctant to scramble, leading to unnecessary sacks and hits, an area that needs to be addressed.Deep Ball: His deep ball accuracy has been inconsistent against high-level competition.Physical Durability: As with many quarterbacks, he could benefit from adding more bulk to help withstand hits. Draft outlook High Potential: He is considered one of the top quarterback prospects for the 2026 draft, with some projecting him as a potential first-round pick.Wild Card: His draft stock is influenced by his performance against tougher competition in the Big Ten, which is expected to be a significant factor.Consensus: He is seen as a legitimate contender for the No. 1 overall pick in some projections due to his combination of size, arm talent, and accuracy.
Simpson
Ty Simpson's draft profile for the 2026 NFL Draft highlights his strong arm, agility, poise under pressure, and elite accuracy, which have propelled him into the first-round conversation. While his limited starting experience is a concern, his ability to create plays outside of structure, read the field effectively, and perform in clutch situations are his biggest strengths. He is praised for his pocket feel, quick processing, and rhythm, making him a polished and promising quarterback prospect.
Strengths
Arm and accuracy: Possesses a strong, elastic arm and is considered one of the most accurate throwers in his draft class, with crisp mechanics and good velocity and touch.
Pocket presence and agility: A jittery, agile athlete who is good at extending plays by moving both within the pocket and to escape pressure.
Clutch performance: Excels in high-pressure situations, demonstrated by a high EPA per play in final two-minute drills.
Processing and instincts: Shows strong processing ability and has good instincts for finding open windows and making the right reads.
Poise and control: Is a composed passer who avoids forcing throws and protects the football, while also showing good rhythm and timing.
Weaknesses
Experience: As a first-year starter, he has a small sample size of games, and his lack of experience could be a concern for some scouts.
Deep ball and pressure: Has some issues with deep ball placement and occasional ill-advised throws.
Tendency to extend plays: Sometimes drifts out of clean pockets or extends broken plays too long, though this also showcases his athleticism.
Physical tools: At 6'2" and around 210 pounds, he is smaller than some other early-round quarterbacks.
Dante Moore is a highly-regarded college quarterback at the Oregon Ducks, considered a top prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft. His strengths include excellent decision-making, ability to read defenses, and accurate passing, which have been evident since his high school days as a top recruit. After transferring from UCLA, he has had an impressive season at Oregon, and while his draft eligibility is pending, some analysts project him as a future NFL quarterback.
Player profile
Current Team: Oregon Ducks
Position: Quarterback
College: Oregon (transfer from UCLA)
Draft Eligibility: 2026 NFL Draft
High School: Ranked as the No. 3 quarterback and No. 4 overall player by 247Sports Composite, in the 2023 class
Strengths
Decision-making: Demonstrates the ability to make good decisions on the field.
Defensive reads: Shows a strong understanding of reading defenses.
Arm talent: Is an accurate passer with a strong arm.
Experience: Has starting experience at both UCLA and Oregon.
Potential 2026 NFL Draft outlook
Rising prospect: Has emerged as a potential early-round selection in a draft class that lacks a consensus top quarterback.
Performance: His performance at Oregon has solidified his status as one of the best quarterbacks in the country.
Scouting report: His impressive play and high recruiting profile have him on the radar of NFL scouts.