There’s a good chance the Philadelphia Eagles will be scouting a future Jalen Hurts backup — and a possible franchise quarterback — at next week’s NFL Combine.
General manager Howie Roseman, who once said he wanted the Eagles to be a “quarterback factory,” has selected a signal-caller in eight of his 15 drafts.
That, combined with the fact that backup Tanner McKee could be traded and 2025 sixth-rounder Kyle McCord is no longer with the team, has led many to believe that the Eagles will draft a quarterback in April.
So, let’s take a look at five quarterbacks who the Eagles should have a close eye on at next week’s NFL Combine in Indianapolis.
Garrett Nussmeier, LSU: If the Eagles are going to take a big swing on a second-round QB and do to Hurts what they did to Carson Wentz in 2020, Nussmeier would be an obvious option. Nussmeier entered the season as a potential No. 1 pick. Injuries and interceptions held him and LSU back. But some NFL draft analysts still consider him a raw first-round talent. Nussmeier could build on a positive Senior Bowl showing at the Combine.
Drew Allar, Penn State: Allar could also fall into the Day 2 swing category. But where he’ll ultimately land is so unpredictable. Allar has all the tools to be a franchise QB (cannon arm, size, pocket mobility). He just never put it together in a consistent manner at Penn State, and his final season ended six games in with a serious ankle injury. We don’t know what drills, if any, Allar will take part in. But his draft standing will be fascinating to watch.
Penn State vs Northwestern, Oct. 11, 2025
Penn State quarterback Drew Allar throws during the third quarter on Oct. 11, 2025. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.comJoe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com
Carson Beck, Miami: We know what Beck is as a quarterback. If the Eagles want a low-ceiling, high-floor rookie backup, then sure. Beck has a ton of playing experience at Georgia and Miami and solid fundamentals. But his arm talent took a hit after UCL surgery in the 2025 offseason, and he doesn’t offer the upside that Nussmeier, Allar and others do.
Taylen Green, Arkansas: If the Eagles are looking for a dual-threat backup to Hurts, Green would make sense in the fifth round (if he lasts that long). Green racked up 9,662 passing yards, 2,401 rushing yards and 94 total touchdowns in four seasons at Arkansas and Boise State. The 6-foot-6, 224-pounder, who had an up-and-down showing at the Senior Bowl, has the tools to warrant a Day 3 selection and the experience to trust him as a backup.
Cole Payton, North Dakota State: Payton might be the wild card of the draft. Most NFL draft prospect rankings have him as a Day 3 pick while a recent report suggests that he could be the second QB off the board.
Payton has only one year of starting experience, but it was impressive (72% completion, 2,719 yards, 16-4 TDs-INT). Payton played well at the Senior Bowl against top competition. The jump from FCS to the NFL is a big one, but it’s one the Eagles have bet on before. Keep an eye on Payton as a possible developmental pick by the Birds.