As we approach the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Fans First Sports Network is your one-stop shop for all things NFL Draft. From player analysis, to rankings, to mock drafts, we will have you covered from every angle with weekly content that will lead up to the biggest days of the NFL offseason.
Although this draft class may lack top-heaviness, it certainly provides better depth in the middle rounds than what the 2025 class gave us. Wide receiver, inside linebacker, and the interior linemen on both sides of the ball are perhaps the deepest positions of the class, while quarterback, cornerback, and tight end appear to be the weakest positions as it pertains to depth.
Throughout the pre-draft process, I will write individual player scouting reports, starting with positions the Steelers could potentially address early in the 2026 draft. This will slowly develop into my final big board, which will come out the week of the draft.
Let’s analyze today’s prospect!
Carson Beck | QB | Miami
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 220 lbs
Draft Projection: Day 2
Notable Accomplishment: Led Miami to the CFP Semifinals
Pros: Beck is an experienced starter who has started for two college football powerhouses. With prototypical NFL size, Beck possesses ideal arm strength and the ability to throw the ball to every level of the field. When given time inside the pocket, he is consistently accurate and puts good touch on the ball. Beck’s sense of pressure has improved each season, as he is now to a point where he can navigate the pocket and avoid pressure long enough to get the ball out of his hands and give the receiver a chance. His best fit in the NFL may be in an offense that plays up-tempo with a heavy dose of no-huddle, considering he is at his best when he can get into a rhythm and get the ball out of his hands quickly. Beck’s sturdiness inside the pocket also allows him to withstand hits, as he has proven to be relatively durable.
Cons: I have never been a huge fan of Beck’s decision making, and even though he has done a better job taking care of the football at Miami, he still throws too many balls into traffic when there are better options to go with the football. Perhaps the biggest limitation to his game is his lack of dynamic athleticism. He can scramble and pick up a couple yards on occasion, but he is not much of a threat to take off and run. Although the progression from 2024 to 2025 was significant, I still am not sold on his ability to get through his reads quickly. His mechanics go out the window when under pressure, and it typically results in an unfavorable play.
Overview: Beck has the size and arm to develop into a starting NFL quarterback, but his ceiling is not as high as the consensus first-round quarterbacks, and there isn’t truly a safe floor with Beck either. In an up-tempo offense, I see him as a low-end starter, but his likely role of value in the NFL will be as a reliable backup.
NFL Comparison: Matt Schaub
