I did a quick season prediction to determine the draft order. This is a predictive mock draft, meaning I’m projecting what I think NFL teams will actually do rather than simply going by my personal player rankings. The player rankings are based on consensus and what I believe NFL teams’ evaluations will look like.

Whenever I post a mock draft in this subreddit and have Drew Mestemaker going in the first round, people start hating on the pick. So, if you think he’s overrated, go check out this thread and try to convince these people otherwise, because they have him ranked as their QB1: What are y’all’s top 5 quarterbacks so far?

I quickly predicted the rest of the season to determine the draft order. For the player selections, I mostly based my picks on what I’ve heard NFL teams like, so it’s a mix of my own rankings and consensus opinions. I also threw in some trades because why not?

Some Trade Explanation:

Cam Ward traded to the Steelers | The Titans decide to move on from Cam Ward and trade him to Pittsburgh, who will need a long-term answer at quarterback once Aaron Rodgers retires. In return, Tennessee receives the Steelers' 2027 first-round pick (No. 14).

49ers trade Pick 31 to the Colts | Based on these projected results, the Colts would hold the No. 7 overall pick. With 2027 being the final year of Daniel Jones' contract, Indianapolis trades back into the first round to potentially find his successor and secure its future at quarterback.

Realistic Dynasty House Rules

If you're tired of dominating your dynasty with ease and want a more realistic challenge, try playing with these house rules.

• Slow Coach Progression
• Player Auto Progression: ON
• Only recruit high school players that appear in your Recommended tab.
• Hire coaches realistically. For example, don't hire an SEC head coach to become the offensive coordinator at a MAC school.
• Recruit based on your school's prestige. You may recruit an unlimited number of players (high school or transfer portal) who match your school's current prestige level. You may also sign up to 5 total players per season who are one star above your school's prestige, regardless of whether they're high school recruits or transfer portal players.

Recruiting Limits

• 0.5★–2.5★ Prestige: Unlimited 2★ recruits/transfers + up to 5 total 3★ recruits or transfers.
• 3★–3.5★ Prestige: Unlimited 3★ recruits/transfers + up to 5 total 4★ recruits or transfers.
• 4★–4.5★ Prestige: Unlimited 4★ recruits/transfers + up to 5 total 5★ recruits or transfers.
• 5★ Prestige: Unlimited 5★ recruits/transfers.

Power Conference Exception: If you're coaching at a Power Conference school with less than 3★ prestige, you may recruit 3★ players as your base prestige level.

How I Played

• Simulated every game with 15-minute quarters and only jumped in when the game became close.
• Played on Heisman difficulty.
• Used Auto Progression.
• Only recruited high school players from my team’s pipeline states

I created a model that determines how many points I should spend in each category. I'd love to hear your feedback on what I could improve. If you'd like to take a closer look or make suggestions directly, here's the spreadsheet.

To use it, change the Total NIL value to your team's budget, then adjust the % values to reflect how much of your budget you want to allocate to each category.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1iomfxfOVrokI9-QQV1EwbSFu1zDmorRoUU7V1X-C1ww/edit?usp=sharing

*Overalls & Dev Traits reflect the CFB video game.

1.

Keisean Henderson – QB, Houston
My Star Ranking: 5*
Comparison: Jayden Daniels
Dev Trait: Elite
Overall: 75
Potential: 95

Summary:
Keisean Henderson is an explosive dual-threat quarterback with elite athletic ability and one of the highest ceilings in the class. A former five-star recruit, he combines above-average arm strength with dynamic playmaking skills, allowing him to extend plays both inside and outside the pocket. Henderson is comfortable attacking all three levels of the field and has shown the ability to make difficult throws while on the move. His mobility makes him a constant rushing threat, but he also displays encouraging pocket presence and flashes of working through progressions as a passer. While his physical tools are among the best in the class, he remains a relatively inexperienced quarterback and is still refining the technical aspects of the position, including his mechanics, anticipation, and consistency. With continued coaching and development, Henderson has the talent to develop into a high-level collegiate starter and possesses long-term NFL upside.

2.

Jared Curtis – QB, Vanderbilt
My Star Ranking: 5*
Comparison: Jalen Hurts
Dev Trait: Elite
Overall: 75
Potential: 95

Summary:
Jared Curtis is an elite quarterback prospect with the physical tools and upside to become one of college football's premier signal-callers. Standing 6'3", 230 pounds, he combines a strong arm, good athleticism, and the ability to make every throw on the field. Curtis is comfortable attacking all three levels with impressive velocity and anticipation while also providing value as a dual-threat runner thanks to his running back background. Although his mechanics and decision-making still need refinement and he'll face a significant jump in competition at the college level, his combination of size, arm talent, mobility, and long-term potential gives him one of the highest ceilings in the class.

3.

Dia Bell – QB, Texas
My Star Ranking: 4*
Comparison: Dante Moore
Dev Trait: Star
Overall: 74
Potential: 94

Summary:
Dia Bell is a polished quarterback prospect who wins with accuracy, timing, and advanced field vision rather than overwhelming arm strength or athleticism. He consistently works through progressions, anticipates throwing windows, and delivers the ball with outstanding placement in the short and intermediate passing game. Bell plays with poise from the pocket and demonstrates the decision-making and mechanics of a pro-style passer, giving him one of the highest floors among quarterbacks in the class. While a lower leg injury limited part of his senior season and he still has room to add strength and improve his physical tools, his refined passing ability, football IQ, and steady development make him a quarterback capable of leading an offense at a high level.

4.

Faizon Brandon – QB, Tennessee
My Star Ranking: 4*
Comparison: Bo Nix
Dev Trait: Star
Overall: 74
Potential: 94

Summary:
Faizon Brandon is a polished, efficient quarterback who wins with accuracy, anticipation, and smart decision-making rather than overwhelming physical traits. He consistently delivers the ball on time, protects possession at an elite level, and operates comfortably within structure, making him an ideal fit for timing-based passing offenses. Brandon shows solid arm talent, good mechanics, and enough mobility to extend plays when necessary, but he is not a dynamic off-script creator and can be overly conservative instead of attacking aggressive downfield opportunities. Overall, he projects as a high-floor quarterback with long-term starting potential.

5.

Jett Thomalla – QB, Alabama
My Star Ranking: 4*
Comparison: Carson Beck
Dev Trait: Star
Overall: 73
Potential: 93

Summary:
Jett Thomalla is a prototypical pocket passer with good size, above-average arm talent, and the ability to efficiently operate a structured passing offense. He generates solid velocity, changes throw speeds well, and demonstrates advanced field vision by working through progressions and making sound decisions. His mechanics and arm strength give him the tools to attack all levels of the field, though his accuracy and rhythm can become inconsistent against tougher competition. Thomalla is more comfortable winning from the pocket than creating outside of structure, as his mobility and pocket presence are average. Overall, he projects as a high-upside traditional quarterback with the physical tools and football intelligence to develop into a reliable long-term starter.

6.

Tommy Carr – QB, Michigan
My Star Ranking: 4*
Comparison: Riley Leonard
Dev Trait: Star
Overall: 73
Potential: 93

Summary:
Tommy Carr is a smart, accurate quarterback who thrives on timing, anticipation, and efficient decision-making. He processes defenses well, works through progressions with confidence, and consistently places the ball accurately on layered and back-shoulder throws. While he possesses solid arm talent and enough athleticism to extend plays and pick up yards with his legs, his game is built more on intelligence and precision than elite physical traits. Carr's lean frame will need additional strength to handle the next level, and he relies on anticipation over overwhelming arm talent, but his poise, accuracy, and football IQ give him the tools to develop into a dependable long-term starter.

7.

Tradon Bessinger – QB, Iowa
My Star Ranking: 4*
Comparison: Carson Strong
Dev Trait: Star
Overall: 73
Potential: 93

Summary:
Tradon Bessinger is a prototypical pocket passer with NFL-caliber size, a quick release, and above-average arm talent capable of generating effortless velocity to every level of the field. He shows solid mechanics, good anticipation, and the ability to operate efficiently from within the pocket, while his strong arm allows him to challenge tight windows and make difficult throws with confidence. Although he has enough mobility to avoid pressure, he is most comfortable winning from the pocket rather than creating outside of structure, and his consistency from snap to snap still needs refinement. Overall, Bessinger projects as a high-upside traditional quarterback whose physical tools and arm strength give him long-term starting potential.

8.

Jonas Williams – QB, USC
My Star Ranking: 4*
Comparison: Trinidad Chambliss
Dev Trait: Star
Overall: 73
Potential: 93

Summary:
Jonas Williams is an experienced, productive quarterback with a balanced skill set built around accuracy, arm talent, and playmaking ability. He throws well on the move, generates enough velocity to attack the perimeter and push the ball downfield, and has the athleticism to extend plays when protection breaks down. Williams combines solid mechanics with good anticipation and decision-making, making him an efficient operator both inside and outside the pocket. His biggest limitation is his below-average height, which can make throwing lanes more difficult to find against congested defenses, but his experience, accuracy, and versatility give him the tools to develop into a reliable long-term starter.

9.

Briggs Cherry – QB, Louisville
My Star Ranking: 4*
Comparison: Jack Plummer
Dev Trait: Star
Overall: 73
Potential: 93

Summary:
Briggs Cherry is a prototypical pocket quarterback with impressive size, arm talent, and one of the strongest deep-ball abilities in his class. He throws with good anticipation and accuracy, particularly on intermediate and vertical routes, while displaying solid decision-making and field progression skills. Although he has the physical tools to develop into a high-level passer, he will need to improve his pocket presence, mobility, and overall consistency against faster, more athletic defenses at the college level. As an older prospect, his developmental runway is somewhat shorter, but his combination of arm strength, accuracy, and natural passing ability gives him the potential to become a quality starter in a pro-style offense.

10.

Bowe Bentley – QB, Oklahoma
My Star Ranking: 4*
Comparison: John Mateer
Dev Trait: Star
Overall: 72
Potential: 92

Summary:
Bowe Bentley is an explosive dual-threat quarterback who excels at creating big plays both as a passer and runner. He thrives outside the pocket, displaying excellent mobility, creativity, and accuracy on the move while possessing a strong arm capable of making throws to all levels of the field. Bentley is at his best when plays break down, using his athleticism to extend drives and generate explosive gains. However, he can be inconsistent pushing the ball deep and occasionally relies too heavily on off-script playmaking instead of operating within the structure of the offense. With continued growth in his decision-making and progression reading, he has the potential to develop into a dynamic, high-impact college quarterback.

Dia Bell – QB, Texas
Star Ranking: 4*
Comparison: Dante Moore
Dev Trait: Star
Overall: 74
Potential: 94

Summary:
Dia Bell is a high-upside quarterback prospect with a polished, timing-based passing game and steady year-over-year development. He plays with strong pocket poise, showing the ability to handle pressure calmly while sliding and climbing to create throwing lanes. Bell is a advanced processor for his age, consistently diagnosing coverages pre-snap and working through progressions efficiently rather than locking onto his first read. His accuracy is most consistent at the short and intermediate levels, where he delivers precise throws into tight windows, while also flashing strong deep-ball touch and trajectory control. He has produced in big-game environments and shown the ability to elevate his play against strong competition. However, injuries have limited his overall résumé, creating durability concerns and a smaller evaluation sample. While he still needs added physical development and experience versus complex defenses, his arm talent, decision-making, and composure give him clear long-term starter potential.

Strengths

• Advanced pre-snap recognition; consistently diagnoses coverages early
• High-level short and intermediate accuracy with tight-window placement
• Excellent deep-ball touch and trajectory control
• Calm under pressure; slides and climbs the pocket effectively
• Strong progression reading for his age and experience level
• Performs well in big games against top competition
• Clean, repeatable throwing mechanics
• Ability to create off-script while still maintaining accuracy

Weaknesses

• Durability concerns due to missed time with injury
• Still developing full-field processing against complex defensive disguises
• Can take unnecessary risks when pressured
• Needs continued physical maturation and strength development
• Limited full-season sample compared to other top QB prospects

How I Played

I simulated every game using 15-minute quarters and only jumped in during the final five minutes of the fourth quarter when the game was close. I also tried to keep all of my roster moves realistic. For example, I signed J.J. McCarthy instead of pursuing Justin Herbert or AI-generated 90+ overall quarterbacks who were still in their prime (ages 27–31).

Observations

Teams rarely re-sign their superstar players, which leads to an unrealistic free-agent market. In most offseasons there were 15–20 players rated 90+ overall available, and it was common to see franchise quarterbacks changing teams while still in their prime. For example, I saw Lamar Jackson end up on the Bills despite still being a 95 OVR X-Factor quarterback at age 30.

The stats were also somewhat inconsistent. Jared Goff would regularly finish seasons with around 40 touchdowns and 20 interceptions, while McCarthy would usually put up around 30 touchdowns and 25 interceptions. My defense also averaged roughly 30 interceptions per season as a team. This could be related to me manually simulating every game, because the rest of the league's statistics generally looked reasonable. To test this, I started a new dynasty and simulated the entire season from the menus, and Goff finished with 17 touchdowns and 6 interceptions and 11 interceptions as a team.

As the franchise progressed, most teams stayed in the 85–89 overall range because of this, once you build a team into the 90+ overall range, it becomes much easier to dominate the league year after year.

I also played with Fill Roster turned off, but the CPU would occasionally sign 85+ overall players to contracts without my knowledge.

I created a model that predicts MLB games, and here are its picks for today. I tested the model over the last two days, and it produced a 17-6 record. Since it's performed well so far, I thought I'd share today's results here