Penn State's Drew Allar Visits QB-Needy NFC Team Ahead of NFL Draft
The 2026 NFL Draft will almost certainly start with the Las Vegas Raiders selecting Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza at No. 1 overall.
The other quarterbacks in this class are a big toss-up, although Alabama's Ty Simpson is widely regarded as the QB2 of the bunch.
After that, it is some form of Garrett Nussmeier (LSU), Carson Beck (Miami FL), Drew Allar (Penn State), Cade Klubnik (Clemson) and Taylen Green (Arkansas), among others.
Allar, who started the year as the starter at Penn State, suffered a season-ending injury and is an intriguing name in the class.
On Tuesday, Allar went on a visit with the Arizona Cardinals, who have been linked to plenty of signal-callers ahead of the NFL Draft.
Former Penn State QB Drew Allar visited the Cardinals today, per source. pic.twitter.com/DKfx81K3E1
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 14, 2026
The Cardinals have become a common landing spot for Simpson in a possible trade-up scenario, although they could also wait and grab Simpson in Round 2.
Allar, on the other hand, projects as more of a Round 3 or Round 4 player, and he could be more of a developmental QB if the Cardinals feel comfortable with Jacoby Brissett or Gardner Minshew holding things down in 2026.
Allar has a strong arm and played well at Penn State, so he could be worth a flier for a number of teams looking for some QB depth.
Drew Allar is the best of several dart throws the 2026 QB class has to offer
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) April 10, 2026
Massive arm, solid athleticism, and some intriguing film flashes pic.twitter.com/Vs6DBadbHZ
Drew Allar Projections Are Mixed
For starters, NFL.com's Chad Reuter projected Allar to be selected in the fifth round by the Los Angeles Rams.
ESPN's Matt Miller had a seven-round mock draft, and he had the Rams selecting Allar at the end of the second round with the Cardinals grabbing Carson Beck with the first pick in the third round.
And, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. had Allar as his QB4, behind Mendoza, Simpson and Beck, so there is a mixed feeling about Allar going into the NFL Draft.
The Cardinals need a young QB, although waiting for the loaded 2027 class with names such as LaNorris Sellers and Arch Manning also makes sense.
But, Allar should hear his name called at some point during the 2026 NFL Draft.
Related: Cardinals Have ‘Interest' in Ex-49ers QB Amid Kyler Murray's Unclear Future
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This story was originally published April 14, 2026 at 3:09 PM.