2026 NFL Draft aftermath: Will any rookie quarterback start in Week 1?

Key Points:

• The 2026 NFL draft may open Week 1 with no rookie quarterbacks starting, a rare occurrence last seen in 2007, due to teams preferring experienced QBs and the league's impatience with rookies.
• No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza, expected to be the Raiders' franchise QB, is likely to start around Week 5 as coach Klint Kubiak plans to let him learn behind veteran Kirk Cousins unless early team struggles force an earlier debut.
• Rams' first-round pick at No. 13, Simpson, is seen as a future starter behind Matthew Stafford, who recently had an MVP season; Simpson may get a spot start late in 2026 but is projected to take over full-time by 2028.
• Third-round picks Beck (Cardinals) and Allar (Steelers) are developmental projects with potential to start mid-to-late in the 2026 season or be in the mix for 2027, depending on team situations and quarterback health.
• Seventh-round pick Nussmeier, despite falling due to injuries and health concerns, has the opportunity to develop under Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City but is unlikely to start there soon.