2026 NFL Draft QB Stock Report Week 3: Top Prospect in Free-Fall; Mendoza, Mateer on the Rise

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2026 NFL Draft QB Stock Report Week 3: Top Prospect in Free-Fall; Mendoza, Mateer on the Rise

Jobe Morrison · Steelers Now

Sun, Sep 14, 2025 ·

6 min read

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With the Pittsburgh Steelers in the market for a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft, Steelers Now will be taking stock of the draft class every week of the 2025 college football season. Week three saw top prospect continue to struggle while others are on the rise.

STOCK DOWN: Cade Klubnik , Clemson

If you have stock in Clemson and Cade Klubnik, consider selling it. Not only did Clemson likely eliminate itself from the College Football Playoff contender conversation, but it also saw its star quarterback struggle again.

The stat sheet doesn't look too bad. Klubnik went 15 of 26 for 216 yards, gained 62 rushing yards, and scored two total touchdowns. However, throwing under 60% completion percentage and committing turnovers each week is not ideal. Especially after two key turnovers led to the Tigers' 24-21 defeat against Georgia Tech.

Klubnik has nine games left to turn things around. In reality, though, he will have to play at much higher levels from here on out to recover his stock. This is possible for the former five-star recruit. Time is running out for the preseason first-round prospect. Could the Steelers move him down on their board?

Scouted by Steelers: Week 1 vs. LSU , Week 3 at GT
MDDB Ranking : Week 3, No. 4, QB4
Season Stats: 52-of-88 (59% comp. rate), 633 yards (7.2 YPA), 3 TD, 3 INT

STOCK UP: John Mateer, Oklahoma

The Oklahoma Sooners are now off to a 3-0 start in their second season of SEC play. While their defense has led the way, allowing only 19 points on the year, their senior quarterback from the transfer portal is raising eyebrows.

After a strong season at Washington State in 2024, Mateer transferred to Oklahoma to compete in one of college football's toughest leagues. Thus far, he has completed nearly 70% of his throws and has averaged 314 passing yards per game.

Mateer led the Sooners over the Michigan Wolverines last week and defeated Temple this week. The Steelers also got a close look at him in his third game–their second time seeing him up close.

Steelers Scouted: Week 2 vs. Michigan , Week 3 at Temple
MDDB Ranking : Week 3, No. 55, QB8
Season Stats: 71-of-105 (67.6% comp. rate), 944 yards (9.0 YPA), 5 TD, 3 INT

STOCK UP: Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

Indiana's schedule thus far is very underwhelming. However, Mendoza continued to light the fireworks Friday night. Each week, he has taken huge steps and lit up the stat sheet.

Against Indiana State, Mendoza had four more touchdown throws than he had incompletions. Per Pro Football Focus tracking, he had three big-time throws of his 20 attempts. The only thing that stood out was his average depth of target dropping to 8.6 yards.

Mendoza is notably one of our analysts, Derrick Bell's, favorite prospects . So far, he has proved to be a prospect on the rise. The upcoming schedule for Indiana gets tougher from here, with a hosting of ranked Illinois and trips to Penn State and Oregon on tap. Will Steelers scouts make another visit to Hoosier territory?

MDDB Ranking : Week 3, No. 16, QB6
Season Stats: 55-of-76 (72.4% comp. rate), 708 yards (9.3 YPA), 9 TD

STOCK DOWN: Eli Holstein, Pittsburgh

After a promising 2024 season derailed by injury, Holstein came into 2025 with opportunities. These opportunities included leading the Pitt Panthers and putting himself in the 2026 NFL Draft conversation.

While the stat sheet through the first two weeks favored the former four-star recruit, week three was a different story. Pitt traveled down to Morgantown for the fierce Backyard Brawl rivalry. Needless to say, he struggled early, suffered another injury (though he returned), and his team ultimately lost in overtime.

Despite getting his team back in the game, early struggles in games and injuries have put a dent in his college career thus far. There is still a lot of season ahead, and he could also be more of a 2027 candidate. For 2026, however, his stock took a hit. Though, the Steelers may not want to consider the Pitt route–again.

Steelers Scouted: Week 1 vs. Duquesne , Week 3 at West Virginia
MDDB Ranking : Week 3, No. 264, QB19
Season Stats: 58-of-88 (65.9% comp. rate), 822 yards (9.3 YPA), 9 TD, 3 INT

STOCK DOWN: Arch Manning , Texas

The next installment of the Manning prodigy is having a rough season as the full-time starter. Despite a win on Saturday, Manning again struggled to put things together.

Manning accounted for all three Longhorn touchdowns in their 27-10 victory. However, it was the passing game that struggled. He completed less than 50% of his passes and turned the ball over while failing to eclipse 125 passing yards.

The godfather of the Manning family, Archie-hoo, proclaimed Arch would stay in school through his senior season. After the way things have gone, that could be more true now than it was when he made the statement. The Steelers could potentially see him fall within trading range if he were to declare for the draft.

Steelers Scouted: Week 1 at Ohio State
MDDB Ranking : Week 3, No.2 , QB2
Season Stats: 47-of-85 (55.3% comp. rate), 579 yards (6.8 YPA), 6 TD, 3 INT

STOCK UP: Haynes King , Georgia Tech

The sixth-year senior is running out of eligibility, but he has led the Yellow Jackets to a 2-0 start. After spending three years at Texas A&M, he transferred to Georgia Tech in 2023. He has been the starter ever since.

King led Georgia Tech to a victory on the road against Colorado in week one and pulled off the upset in week two. King outdueled Clemson's Klubnik–leading a 10-play, 38-yard game-winning drive that ended in a walk-off field goal.

While King won't, at the moment, be in the first round conversations, play like this helps prospects get their foot in the door. Whether he ends up as a day three pick or a rookie camp tryout, King has helped his stock among the 2026 draft pool through two games. The Steelers could have a backup in Atlanta .

Steelers Scouted: Week 3 vs Clemson
MDDB Ranking : Week 3, No. 614, QB41
Season Stats: 33-of-48 (68.8% comp. rate), 354 yards (7.4 YPA), INT

This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : 2026 NFL Draft QB Stock Report Week 3: Top Prospect in Free-Fall; Mendoza, Mateer on the Rise

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