FordfairLane’s 2026 BigBoard NFL Draft

[FordFairLane]

How early do you take Allar? I really think the Steelers want to come away with a big-armed QB from this draft. Whether they are a hit or miss, it at least is a swing with another chance next year.

A very good question. This is such a game of chess. You can’t just look at where you have a player like Allar rated, you have to also look at what teams need quarterbacks and where they might have them rated.

So lets first look after 21 to 53. Cleveland at 24, and Miami at 30 in the first. But the early second have a lot of QB needy teams. NYJ at 33, Cardinals at 34, Browns and Phins again at 39 & 43, Jets again at 44. Then Colts, Falcons, and Minnesota could all use a young Quarterback for competition at 47-49.

So how many of them have Allar ranked top 50? If they just watched the film or put more emphasis on it. Definitely could be a late day two or early day three ranking. That’s the $64,000 question.

This is my opinion and what I would do. I would take Allar every day of the week and twice on Sunday over Pickett so I wouldn’t like but could deal with Allar at 21. This is not a crazy top end draft so a little reach would be fine. But I don’t think Allar is ahead of Simpson or Nussmeier on the Jets, phins, browns board and I think the vikings and colts probably hope a guy falls to round three or earlier in day three.

So here’s my prediction. Mendoza #1 overall. Simpson to Cards #34. Nussmeier Jets #44. Allar makes it to 53, if we don’t take him, Rams draft him at 61.

So I would take him 53 if he falls.

Given Farmer has lower ratings, hopefully other teams disagree with your rank so we can get him later. There are very talented guards in the middle rounds.

Keylan Rutledge in the third would be nice too.

 

[FordFairLane]

S

id just like to have it on draft night to be able to see whats going on,, etc.

Send me a message with your email and I’ll shoot you over a PDF. I’ll improve the formatting next year.

 

[SteelerSask2]

IMO if Steelers bring Rodgers back Rudy should be gone. Howard has been in the NFL for a year now. Time for him to become the starter if Rodgers doesn't come back or the number 2 if Rodgers comes back, with a 2026 draft pick at number 3 and challenging for number 2.

I think we all have sn eye to the long term and the people in this business only look at next year really for the most part. They want Howard to ascend but won't force it.

 

[Confluence]

IMO if Steelers bring Rodgers back Rudy should be gone. Howard has been in the NFL for a year now. Time for him to become the starter if Rodgers doesn't come back or the number 2 if Rodgers comes back, with a 2026 draft pick at number 3 and challenging for number 2.

This

If Ayahuasca A-Ron finds his way back from the Andes, then the Steelers grab Allar or similar, then regardless of this season, 2027 shapes up like:
2025 draft Howard
2026 draft QB
2027 draft QB

and I am fine with that as the go forward plan. This is reasonable with a HC known for QB success.

If Rodgers cannot play for any reason, you just bring that forward and resign Skylar Thomson or whomever.

 

[FordFairLane]

so you had to know this was coming...

so you don't see Tanner Koziol or Dean Connors as draftable?

Yeah, and I could definitely put Koziol in that 6th/7th bracket. He is imo a poor mans Jimmy graham. Good athlete but couldn’t block my grandma. He brings enough in pass catching he could definitely get drafted but his lack of blocking imo keeps him on the practice squad.

I’m going to honest with you. I did not watch enough film on Connors to really give him an assessment. Like I said this is probably my weakest board in 20 years.

From what I saw. He reminds me a bit of Jaylen Warren. A guy you want in camp. His pro day numbers were very surprising and I probably should go back and do my due diligence on him. From what I saw is he’s a gamer. Gives 110%. Versatile in the run and pass. Definitely worth a draft pick but I’m not sure where. If he can show some PR/KR ability and show up on special teams he should find a roster spot

 

[FordFairLane]

one good day in shorts doen't out do the meh seasons from allar

To be fair it was two good days in shorts. Balled out during the pro day as well lol.

 

[FordFairLane]

If they dont spend a third to move up in the first or second I dont hate idea of taking a QB then whoever might be the flavor. However, I have a hard time picturing the Roster. Are you going to drop Rudy if you bring Rodgers back? Hes got a good contract and can fill in for week or two. If you dont cut Rudy it means Howard or the third round is gone.

If we drafted Allar and signed Rodgers my guess is Rudy is traded to a team looking to solidify their backup spot or is released. If Rodgers doesn’t come back Rudolph probably starts then we give the young guys an opportunity later in the season.

 

[FordFairLane]

I hear you on this Coolie, but my main point was the coachability of him. He definitely made strides in that foot / upper body mechanics in that short time between playing to combine.

ADD in the whole Geriatric QB situation and you can see we need a QB. I’m not saying Allar is the savior (I don’t think the franchise QB is in this draft) but, you have to take risk(s) to try and find the guy.

His physical tools are part of the attraction.

I know it comes down to who is there and what round we are in.




Salute the nation

Yep. Allar is a high ceiling low floor prospect. This is not a great QB draft so you grade on a curve. He has the arm and size and legs to be Big Ben. But he could just as easily be Matt Leinart…

 

[CoolieMan]

Yeah, and I could definitely put Koziol in that 6th/7th bracket. He is imo a poor mans Jimmy graham. Good athlete but couldn’t block my grandma. He brings enough in pass catching he could definitely get drafted but his lack of blocking imo keeps him on the practice squad.

I’m going to honest with you. I did not watch enough film on Connors to really give him an assessment. Like I said this is probably my weakest board in 20 years.

From what I saw. He reminds me a bit of Jaylen Warren. A guy you want in camp. His pro day numbers were very surprising and I probably should go back and do my due diligence on him. From what I saw is he’s a gamer. Gives 110%. Versatile in the run and pass. Definitely worth a draft pick but I’m not sure where. If he can show some PR/KR ability and show up on special teams he should find a roster spot

if you have time, watch some game film on connors

I posted highlights in my Coog pimping thread

he is very good catching passes out of the backfield and even split out wide. he is not an excellent blocker but he is good enough and was lead blocker on some designed qb runs last season.

He was not used as a returner but I could see him doing well at that if given the shot

 

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

yeah nobody watched that.

 

[Steeltime]

FF, you are more negative on Max Iheanchor than a lot of scouts, who project him as a potential 1st round pick. Dude is very large, good base, good feet. He does have a tendency to bend to reach defenders but that can be fixed, right? You and I agree on Proctor - probably a good guard but not great footwork for an OT.

 

[Steeltime]

So here’s my prediction. Mendoza #1 overall. Simpson to Cards #34. Nussmeier Jets #44. Allar makes it to 53, if we don’t take him, Rams draft him at 61.

So I would take him 53 if he falls.

Wow. Bold strategy, let's see how it plays out.

I don't like Nussmeier nearly as much as some, and less than you. Not a big guy, okay athleticism, not great when moved off his spot, and insists on throwing into traffic too much. I think that stems from the history of LSU having amazing receivers.

Keylan Rutledge in the third would be nice too.

I would love Rutledge in the 3rd. I'm wondering if he lasts to 85.

 

[xjx]

I like the content Ford. Good post.

 

[SteelerSask2]

If we drafted Allar and signed Rodgers my guess is Rudy is traded to a team looking to solidify their backup spot or is released. If Rodgers doesn’t come back Rudolph probably starts then we give the young guys an opportunity later in the season.

Wouldn't hate the idea. McCarthy has never expressed much interest in Rudy from what I can tell.