Think about all of the quarterback conversions that the NFL had to go through this year.
The Cleveland Browns selected a Top-5 assumed athlete in the fifth round with Shedeur Sanders. Aaron Rodgers became a nomad and finally settled in Pittsburgh. Russell Wilson signed with the New York Football Giants only to be supplanted by rookie Jaxson Dart, and then journeyman Jameis Winston.
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Another well-traveled QB, Joe Flacco was sold to the Cincinnati Bengals as their starter while Joe Burrow rehabbed. Coach Pete Carroll left Seattle, then brought over their starting QB Geno Smith with him to his new job. Kirk Cousins wasn’t traded from the Atlanta Falcons, as he was targeted by multiple clubs. Derek Carr retired from the New Orleans Saints all of a sudden.
Mac Jones and Daniel Jones came off the reclamation pile and have led their respective teams to good records. First overall draft pick Cam Ward of the Tennessee Titans started Week 1.
Jacoby Brissett and Kyler Murray take a knee
Jacoby Brissett and Kyler Murray take a knee
Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
And the Arizona Cardinals’ controversy about whether their $230.5 million man, Kyler Murray, should have to kick rocks in lieu of career backup Jacoby Brissett.
But what if the future of the Cardinals quarterback position isn’t on the roster yet? Should the franchise focus on getting a new guy in this year’s NFL draft? If so, who? In what round?
Some folks state that only the elite quarterbacks are taken in Round 1. And there have certainly been some good ones, such as Rodgers, Joe Namath, Patrick Mahomes, Sid Luckman, Terry Bradshaw, Dan Marino, John Elway, Y.A. Tittle, Troy Aikman, Roman Gabriel, Peyton and Eli Manning, Josh Allen, and John Hadl.
But there have been really good signalcallers taken in the later rounds.
Drew Brees, Snake Stabler, Brett Favre, and Steve Van Buren were taken in the second round. Round 3 found Joe Montana and Dan Fouts. Tom Brady was a sixth-round choice. In Round 4, there were Dak Prescott and Sonny Jurgensen. In the 13th round was Brian Sipe while Bart Starr waited until Round 17. Johnny Unitas heard his name in Round 9. Roger Staubach waited until the tenth round. Round 12 saw George Blanda selected.
So, the truly great players rise to the top, and scouts and general managers can’t measure a player’s heart to determine their success or failures.
With Murray currently injured and Brissett taking the reins of the offense, what will happen to the quarterback room next year? Both veteran signalcallers are under contract. Will they duke it out in training camp for the starting position? Will one be traded or released? Will both be traded or released?
The most logical scenario is that the franchise will retain at least one, then draft a young buck to groom. The veteran they retain will then not only take control of the offense, but will also become a tutor and somewhat of a bridge to his fledgling predecessor.
Here are options in every round of the 2026 NFL draft.
Right now, the Cardinals would be drafting in the #9 slot. Of course, this will change as teams juggle their schedule with six games remaining.
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Ty Simpson #15 (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Ty Simpson #15 (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Round 1: Pick #9
Ty Simpson (6’-2”, 208 pounds) – Alabama
It is quite possible that Simpson would be gone by the ninth selection. QB Fernando Mendoza of Indiana should be the first QB off the board, and it all depends on which teams above Arizona need a QB.
Simpson has been the best processor in the class, by a bit, but this is still just his first season as a starter. A long playoff run could go a long way here. He is a pre-snap maestro who will use motion to decode coverages. Very quick release and excellent ball placement. Warp drive on mental processing speed. Great decision-making who will command each huddle.
The knocks on him are that his physical tools don’t blow anyone away. His pocket drift only emerges when his initial reads aren’t there. He could add some weight and his deep ball touch needs work.
Garrett Nussmeier #18 (Photo by Gus Stark/University Images via Getty Images}
Garrett Nussmeier #18 (Photo by Gus Stark/University Images via Getty Images}
Round 2: Pick #40
Garrett Nussmeier (6’-1”, 205 pounds)
Son of former NFL QB Doug Nussmeier, he has turned heads when he could have come out in last year’s draft and been selected high.
He has natural arm strength and can create throwing lanes under pressure. Quick processor and his throws generate velocity without straining. Will throw many tight window completions who has great leadership and competitive energy.
Weaknesses include poor decision-making, and he struggles against disguised coverages. A bit inconsistent with his reads and will need a few pounds in order to be able to take pocket hits better.
Lanorris Sellers (16) Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images
Lanorris Sellers (16) Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images
Jeff Blake-Imagn Images
Round 3: Pick #71
LaNorris Sellers (6’-3”, 240 pounds) – South Carolina
Excellent physical tools, who is an electric dual-threat QB. Has a 4.95 GPA. No, really. He is a terrific runner and doesn’t look to scramble unless it is necessary. Serious juice in his run game. Create explosive play out of structure, and has a great combination of arm strength and athleticism. The dude has extreme competitive toughness, with obviously a high football IQ.
Negatives are that he has limited college experience with just one full season. He must develop an anticipation of his timing routes. Can play too fast on occasion and get better at placement of throws on vertical routes.
Sam Leavitt (10) (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Sam Leavitt (10) (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Round 4: Pick #106
Sam Leavitt (6’-2, 205 pounds) – Arizona State
Some point to his weight as an issue going forward. Joe Montana played at 200 pounds. Fran Tarkenton was 190. Drew Brees 209. And in those days, defenders were encouraged to splatter the quarterback. Leavitt was the Oregon high school Player of the Year who tossed 82 career touchdowns. Then he was named the Big 12 Freshman of the Year in just his first season in college.
Exceptional processing speed. Converted pressure into production better than most experienced quarterbacks. Excellent ball security with good pre-snap reads. Perfect strike placement and a good decision maker. All of his offenses have generated visible confidence.
The bad? Can he handle repeated NFL collisions? He must improve his drop mechanics and timing. Possesses average top-end speed, which comes into play with scrambles.