Carson Beck is still on the board. Here are 4 landing spots for QB
Two quarterbacks were selected in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. The first – No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza – was no surprise.
However, the Los Angeles Rams’ decision to take Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick defied expectations. Some predicted Simpson would get the Jaxson Dart treatment and slide late in the first round or even early in the second, with a team like the Arizona Cardinals or New York Jets targeting him.
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With Simpson off the board, a different trio of quarterbacks will draw attention heading into day two of the 2026 NFL Draft: Drew Allar, Carson Beck and Garrett Nussmeier.
Beck received some buzz on the eve of the 2026 NFL Draft, when Tom Pelissero of NFL Media mentioned that he thought the Miami product was “going to go higher than all the projections had him going in this process.” Pelissero even added that he wouldn’t rule out Beck becoming a first-round pick, even if that didn’t happen.
Still, Pelissero’s reports indicate there could be a market for Beck, an experienced college starter who has great size (6-4, 220 pounds) and the skill set to quickly become a quality touch passer at the NFL level.
Where could Beck land as he prepares to begin his NFL career? Below are his main landing spots, along with a prediction for when he might finally leave the board.
Carson Beck Landing Points
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals were thought to be in on Simpson before the Rams selected him in the first round. Mike LaFleur and Monti Ossenfort will need to pivot if they want to add a draft pick full of potential to a quarterback room currently led by Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew.
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Arizona may not be willing to spend the 34th overall pick on Beck, but the 65th overall pick – the first of the third round – will be a spot to watch for the Miami quarterback.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Aaron Rodgers has not provided the Steelers with a clear decision on his future ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. The 42-year-old could return for a second season in Pittsburgh, but that won’t stop the team from adding another quarterback to jockey with Will Howard for the successor role behind the four-time NFL MVP.
The Steelers have four Day 2 picks, including three in the third round (Nos. 76, 85 and 99). Maybe if Pittsburgh falls for Beck — or a player like Garrett Nussmeier, whose father, Doug, coached with Mike McCarthy in Dallas — they could use one of those third-round picks on a quarterback.
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Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins signed Malik Willis in free agency. The 26-year-old has potential, but has only made six NFL starts in four seasons, so adding competition for him would be wise.
Like the Steelers, the Dolphins have three third-round picks (Nos. 75, 87 and 94). This gives them the option to use one on a quarterback, if they choose.
New York Jets
The Jets need a quarterback. Could Beck be in the cards for them? Maybe, but probably not on day 2.
New York has just the 44th overall selection in the second round. They traded their own second-round pick (No. 33) and selection No. 179 to move up and take Omar Cooper Jr. late in the first round while their third-round pick was sent to the Philadelphia Eagles as part of the Haason Reddick trade.
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Maybe the Jets will decide Beck is worth the 44th pick, but more likely, they’ll wait to add challenger Geno Smith until Day 3.
When will Carson Beck be drafted?
USA TODAY Sports’ latest Day 2 mock draft has the Dolphins selecting Beck with the 94th overall selection. Below is the analysis of this selection:
“The Dolphins signed Malik Willis to a three-year deal in free agency, but they may want to add potential competition for the inexperienced starter.
“Beck is an experienced sixth-year quarterback who has started 43 games for Georgia and Miami. He has prototypical size (6-4, 220 pounds) and throws with good touch and anticipation, but there are concerns about his arm strength — which was merely average in 2025, his first season since undergoing UCL surgery on his throwing elbow — and about his struggles under pressure.”
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Beck is the second quarterback expected to be taken in the Day 2 mock, behind LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Carson Beck’s best day two games include Cardinals, Steelers, more
