It’s never too early for a 2026 NFL mock draft, right? Well, according to CBS, Drew Allar will be the pick for the Las Vegas Raiders next year.
The potential and hype surrounding this year’s quarterback class were unremarkable. Even still, general manager John Spytek had arguably one of the best draft classes in recent memory–they once again walked away with the best offensive player that wasn’t a signal-caller. While Geno Smith helps to provide a stable force as a starting quarterback, there are still concerns about what will happen in the coming years, say 2026, 2027, and beyond.
So while a mock draft taking place soon might seem like a stretch, Allar does make sense from that perspective. CBS Sports’s Chris Trapasso, who made the pick, makes the connection between Allar and current Raiders minority owner Tom Brady.
“Allar has kinks to work out of his game—better decision-making and slightly better accuracy. The traits are through the roof at 6 feet 5 inches and close to 240 pounds. Geno Smith is a fine short-term option for the Raiders. Allar represents significant upside for the future, and I could envision Tom Brady gravitating toward a pocket-passer type.”
Allar has had a notable collegiate career thus far at Penn State—he’s totaled 53 touchdown passes over the last three seasons while maintaining a completion percentage short of 63 (62.9). He’s ranked in the top 10 across multiple key passing categories in college, including touchdowns, completions, and yardage. Even without considering college stats, Allar’s talent remains undeniable, and the Raiders must eventually draft a first-round quarterback.