As they did to start the year, the New Orleans Saints enter Week 2 with uncertainty at the most important position in football.
Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough are on the roster, and while both bring upside, neither has cemented themselves as a long-term answer.
2026 NFL Draft names to know for New Orleans at QB
First is South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers, a dual-threat passer with size, athleticism, and a powerful arm to threaten every inch of a defense. Sellers is raw, but his upside makes him one of the more fascinating potential risers in the class. Should he continue to progress with his decision-making and consistency, he could emerge as a top 10 option and exactly the type of developmental player the Saints could mold into a future franchise centerpiece.
Then there's Drew Allar at Penn State. The physically impressive 6-foot-5 signal-caller has the prototypical build and arm talent NFL teams love, but what makes him especially intriguing is his poise in the pocket, experience, and consistent improvement year after year. The Nittany Lions' offense is headlined by two potential top 50 RBs in Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, but Allar is the focal point for teams in search of a young talent under center.
Closer to home, Garrett Nussmeier at LSU is a name Saints fans should be familiar with. He’s got an aggressive mindset as a passer with the ability to make high-level throws into tight windows. The biggest question for Nussmeier has been consistency, but with the Tigers’ weapons and offensive system under OC Joe Sloan, he’ll have every opportunity to showcase his traits this season. Thanks to their veteran QB and an electric defense, LSU has arguably looked like the best team in the country through the first few weeks.
Beyond the top names, there are always names lower on the list worth watching. Tennessee’s Joey Aguilar, a transfer from Appalachian State, has already turned heads with his toughness, live arm, and leadership traits on Rocky Top. He’s not a finished product, but scouts are keeping a close eye on how quickly he adapts to SEC competition. Then there’s John Mateer of Oklahoma, who is gaining traction as a dark horse candidate in the class. If he can continue to string together efficient performances while showing growth as a passer, he could climb boards in a hurry as a transfer from Washington State.
For Saints fans, the takeaway is simple: while Rattler or Shough might stabilize things short-term, the long-term future at quarterback could very well be sitting in a college stadium right now. Keeping tabs on Sellers, Allar, Nussmeier, Aguilar, and Mateer might provide an early look at the next chapter in New Orleans.