2026 NFL Draft Quarterback Buzz: Drew Allar
The 2026 NFL Draft is filled with a lot of potential first round talents at quarterback. Could Drew Allar be the next Steelers signal caller?
The Pittsburgh Steelers might have drafted a late-round quarterback this year, but they probably have their eyes on a few other signal-callers next year. One quarterback to keep an eye on in 2026 could be Penn State’s Drew Allar.
With the draft taking place in Pittsburgh, general manager Omar Khan stacking NFL Draft capital, and a stronger class than this year, the stage for a big move is set. Could Allar be the next quarterback in Pittsburgh? Let’s take a look at the rising senior’s career thus far.
The Stat Sheet:
530 Completions on 843 Attempts (62.9% Completion Percentage.)
6,302 Yards
53 Touchdowns
10 Interceptions
23-6 Career Record as Starter
The Good
-Stands at 6-foot-5 and 238 pounds–the prototypical size of an NFL passer.
-Size shows on tape. Can move the pocket well and break tackles. Also takes the hits in the pocket to deliver big throws.
-Rocket arm that can stretch the field and make any throw in between the lines.
-Put up 24-to-8 Touchdown-to-Interception Ratio.
-Most impressively, led his team to the College Football Semi-Finals with an underwhelming receiving corps.
-He also posted a career-high 71.5% completion rate in the regular season.
-When protection holds up, he is lethal; showing ability to scan the field and make every throw.
The Concerns
-When the pressure is turned up, his mechanics get sloppy (something a lot of young quarterbacks have to work through.)
-Footwork through progressions can be inconsistent.
-His postseason performance left more to be desired. He looked overwhelmed at times, with his defense starring in the show the first two rounds of the playoffs.
-He completed well under 60% of his passes and tossed three interceptions.
-After only throwing five in the regular season, he threw three in postseason play.
-Allar’s play in the brightest of lights might be most remembered by his game-losing interception against Notre Dame to send his team home.
What To Watch For
What will Penn State’s wideout situation look like? After Tyler Warren departed, it will be interesting to see how Allar can elevate his guys around him. With every young quarterback, you hope to see progressions in the concerns of scouting reports. Though he takes care of the ball overall in the regular season, will his ability to play in big lights change that?
Bottom Line
Allar will be a project from a mechanics and pressure navigation standpoint. The professional level is much faster and will test his ability to react under pressure. His upside could absolutely be worth it. He has elite-type arm talent. Ideally, he should develop for at least a year and get plenty of preseason snaps. Going to a team that cannot support him and throws him to the fire early will be boom-or-bust.