5 QB prospects fans should watch at the 2026 NFL combine

For NFL Draft fans, there is nothing quite like the NFL combine. The testing is not much in terms of action, but regardless, it gets you on the edge of your seat for the first time since the Super Bowl.

On Friday, we get to see two position groups on the field with actual testing in the tight ends and defensive backs. Both are positions that the Vikings could use some help at this draft cycle, so we wanted to give you some players to watch today when testing begins at 1:00 p.m. EST on NFL Network.

In this piece, we will focus specifically on quarterbacks. The Vikings don't have a need, but that doesn't mean they won't target one to back up J.J. McCarthy as the team looks for a live arm in case of emergency. With that in mind, here are five players we are looking forward to seeing test at the NFL combine.

Drew Allar, Penn State

After suffering a season-ending ankle injury during the 2025 season, fans and teams will get to see him on a football field on Saturday. When it comes to Allar, the questions around his physical traits have never existed; instead, they have circulated around his processing and decision-making. While proving those wrong at the combine are tough, he can showcase his arm talent to remind folks what he is capable of.

Taylen Green, Arkansas

Taylen Green has been acing the pre-draft process after a good showing at the Senior Bowl. He now hopes to parlay that into a string showing at the combine. He has a chance to showcase his athleticism with testing, but also his arm, as he has a chance to show he can push the ball down the field.

Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt

Diego Pavia has made a lot of folks be turned off by him due to how he handled losing the Heisman Trophy, as well as how he performed against Iowa in the team's bowl game. However, all of that can be forgotten with a strong showing at the combine on Saturday. Questions are going to remain with his size, but testing well will determine if he is drafted at this point or not.

Cole Payton, North Dakota State

For Cole Payton, it is all about the reps. In his lone season as a starter for the Bison, he showed he could make some dynamic throws and command an offense. His name is already getting hotter as the process goes on, but testing numbers are going to decide just how high his stock can go as we near the end of the draft process.

Ty Simpson, Alabama

Ty Simpson surprised folks by declaring for the NFL draft after just one year as a starter for the Crimson Tide. He hopes he can take advantage of a weak quarterback class and become a first-round selection, but it all hinges on his combine performance this weekend.

This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: 2026 NFL combine: 5 QB prospects for fans to watch