2026 NFL Draft QB Prospect Discussion

[Gonzo]

Lance Zerlien - on Jaxson Dart .. rating 6.17

Overview
Three-year SEC starter who saw improvement in play and production season after season. Dart has a stocky build and average physical attributes but good makeup and intangibles. He’s fairly accurate and rarely overcomplicates things for himself. He won’t strike anyone as a running quarterback, but he can find tough yards on the ground. He can make full-field reads but looks more comfortable grazing from the trough of the simple. He will need to work with better anticipation and decisiveness to win in tight windows as a pro. Teams might see physical and play similarities between Dart and Brock Purdy but such a pathway for Dart likely requires a balanced, ball-control passing attack that allows him to manage the game instead of driving it.

Strengths
Gets across the full field of progressions when he needs to.
Pretty good situational decision-maker on third downs.
Throws with adequate accuracy and drive velocity between the hashes.
Recognizes potential trouble and gets away from it.
Beats man coverage when making predetermined throws.
Very accurate with his back-shoulder fades.
Runs with early acceleration and vision in the open field.
Uses altered snap counts to draw defense into committing pre-snap penalties.

Weaknesses
Deep zone coverages slowed his momentum and consistency.
Has room for improvement with anticipatory throws versus zone.
Lazy footwork forces him into muscled throws at times.
Displayed inconsistencies with decisiveness in his reads.
Lacks delivery quickness to afford getting behind on progressions.
Throws feel very labored when he’s forced to work off-platform.
Deep throws lack energy and force receivers to break stride.

NFL Comparison -- Gardner Minshew

[Steeldrama]

NFL Comparison -- Gardner Minshew

Ouch

[K_C_]

NFL Comparison -- Gardner Minshew

Ouch

Trey Lance’s player draft comparison was Josh Allen.

Drafting QB’s is always a crapshoot.

Mr Irrelevant is about to break the bank. I’m gonna bet Purdy’s draft comparison wasn’t any All Pro.

[Dan Smith--BYU]

Are we even sure that Trey Lance is a bust or was simply injured and lost his job?

[K_C_]

Are we even sure that Trey Lance is a bust or was simply injured and lost his job?

Well, many QB needy teams (like the Steelers) could have had the guy for basically nothing this season and for a still very young guy with size, mobility and a big arm, dude was lucky to get a back up job with the Chargers.

...and his situation isn't remotely similar to Justin Fields because Fields has been a starter for multiple seasons and has at least shown flashes on the field against NFL competition.

Trey Lance hasn't and barring a miracle, Lance isn't going to get the chance to shine.

[Dan Smith--BYU]

I can see a guy like that coming back a la Doug Williams or Jim Plunkett.

The issues seem more external than internal.

[K_C_]

I can see a guy like that coming back a la Doug Williams or Jim Plunkett.

The issues seem more external than internal.

I think it's far more likely Lance is out of the league in 2 years than Lance becoming an actual NFL starting QB.

He started a few games for the Niners, was unimpressive and then he got hurt. Purdy took the job and probably won't give it up for a decade.

Also we need to remember that Trey Lance wasn't Purdy's back up when he became healthy. He dropped to third on the depth chart with Sam Darnold backing up Purdy.

I think the strangest thing about Lance and also the most telling is that Lance, who was a high first round pick who barely played for the Niners, wasn't traded for a low first round pick or an early second rounder when the Niners decided to shit can him.

Lance was traded to Dallas for a fourth rounder. A fourth rounder I'm sure Dallas wishes it could have back.

Now Lance is behind Justin Herbert as the potential #2 (we'll see if that's how it shakes out in camp) but Herbert has been pretty durable and doesn't miss a lot of games. If Lance does get an opportunity at some point this season, I would advise him to make the most of it.

I don't think he'll have many more shots at being the guy.

[jebrick]

NFL Comparison -- Gardner Minshew

Ouch

Trey Lance’s player draft comparison was Josh Allen.

Drafting QB’s is always a crapshoot.

Mr Irrelevant is about to break the bank. I’m gonna bet Purdy’s draft comparison wasn’t any All Pro.

I think Lance had 7 total starts at QB before drafted. That was all hope.

[K_C_]

Ouch

Trey Lance’s player draft comparison was Josh Allen.

Drafting QB’s is always a crapshoot.

Mr Irrelevant is about to break the bank. I’m gonna bet Purdy’s draft comparison wasn’t any All Pro.

I think Lance had 7 total starts at QB before drafted. That was all hope.

Still it's strange to see a young QB drafted top 5 (at least I think he was) only start a handful of games for San Fran, get hurt and then pfffft.

It's basically over.

No other team acquired Lance looking for him to be the starter but that says it all about drafting a QB.

Nobody really knows shit. Top 5 pick will probably be out of the league in a year or 2 and Mr. Irrelevant is about to get a huge contract to be the starter for a team that has been a Super Bowl contender for the last 5 years.

You just never know.

[jebrick]

It is why I say Josh Allen is a unicorn. It is really hard to fix those mechanices out of college. It is why Areins said that he would rather have an accurate QB that he does not have to fix when drafting. I would rather have Howard that Milroe in this draft but the lure of the unicorn.

[Gonzo]

like with allen and jackson, you also have to be able/wiling to build an offense around their skill set -- not the exact opposite which is the steelers MO.
hey kid, go be a pro QB ... do only what we say on each play and dont fuck it up ... dont worry about anything else

[K_C_]

It is why I say Josh Allen is a unicorn. It is really hard to fix those mechanices out of college. It is why Areins said that he would rather have an accurate QB that he does not have to fix when drafting. I would rather have Howard that Milroe in this draft but the lure of the unicorn.

Carson Wentz was an injury from very likely being an MVP, then Foles led the Eagles to a Super Bowl win and Wentz's career fell apart faster than I've ever seen a young QB who looked very promising for a stretch.

I worry much more about small school QB's and yes, Josh Allen most certainly is a unicorn.

Still, the Steelers have a take a shot at a QB early. I don't want a safe QB like Will Howard. I would rather have a kid like Milroe or Dart who could either be very, very good, or they'll be very, very bad.

Will Howard is going to be serviceable. That's why I don't want a guy like that. He's basically Mason Rudolph.

[Gonzo]

I understand the fascination with Milroe.

But not with Dart. There is nothing on tape or in analysis that says this is a first round talent. And before it comes, I have seen him play many times. I watch far more college football than pro.
He seems the very definition of a reach … a wish and prayer at a position of dire need. But for a team that has. Many needs right now.
Dart won’t elevate anything … maybe on a great team with a good coach he becomes a winner. Not on this Team. He is not that kind of talent.
I will change my avatar to Jaxson Dart if I am wrong I will also throw the tv and closets Steelers gear out the window when they pick him.
and …. I do understand the desire to maybe take a shot at a,position that is killing us … I just vehemently disagree that this is the guy to take that shot with. Especially consider the current state of our staff and roster.

I am just going to cross my fingers and hope they stock up these picks and make a big QB splash in the 2026 draft in Pittsburgh. Use this years 1 and 3 on BPA.

[jebrick]

Per source, the #Steelers are hosting Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders for a Top-30 visit this week https://t.co/A0Y70QywCZ
— Noah Strackbein (@NoahStrackbein) April 8, 2025

[Ice]

If what Ben said he heard was true, and a veteran, Super Bowl winning QB wasn't allowed to call plays during two minute drills, it truly doesn't matter who plays QB for this team.

[bradshaw2ben]

Just wait for the Colts to cut Richardson next year if you want Green. Pretty much the same player.

Jesus. Just... no. Green is a much better passer... layered throws, accuracy. And Green is also a better, faster runner. More of a threat.

He doesn't have Josh Allen's gun but he's certainly claser to Daniels or Lamar than Richardson.

Don't hate him but his lack of accuracy is a problem. He needs to have a big year.

IDK toward the back half of the season, he was making some beautifully accurate throws in tight windows. The Bowl Game, for example, might be the best passing game he's ever had.

[steelclan]

Steelers don't have to take a Qb. Especially early. This class sucks, so why force something? I'd rather they get two defensive lineman and take what the draft is deepest in.

I have not seen a DL class this deep since 2011. Not saying this class will be as good but they have the potential to be in same ballpark. Harmon, Nolen or Grant in 1st and someone like West from Indiana in 4th would be nice.

Outside of Cam Ward the rest of the QBs have so many flaws I wouldn't touch any until the 4th round.