Teams to watch in potential move for QB Brendan Sorsby in NFL Supplemental Draft
The 2026 NFL Supplemental Draft is a hot topic following the likely entry of Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby, who was forced into the process after a suspension related to betting on NCAA games. While the supplemental draft is rarely a focal point for teams looking to find a franchise quarterback, Sorsby's combination of tools and the unique circumstances around his entry have made this a particularly intriguing event for front offices around the league.
On the "Football 301" podcast, Yahoo Sports' Nate Tice and guest Bill Barnwell of ESPN discussed the ins and outs of Sorsby's profile, his fit in the NFL, and — most importantly —the kinds of teams that could roll the dice on acquiring him via the supplemental draft's blind-bidding process.
Tice and Barnwell agreed: No first-round bids are coming, and a second would be a surprise. The sweet spot: a late third- or early fourth-round bid, potentially devalued given the blind auction nature and positional inflation at QB.
Sorsby is not the "next Mahomes" (despite some aggressive internet comps) — but in a league desperate for viable QBs, he could command significant mid-round interest.
As Tice summed up, "It only takes one," and in the supplemental draft, with its unique risk/reward dynamics, Sorsby's path into the league could hinge on which front office trusts his talent over his off-field red flags. This will be the rare supplemental draft worth watching.
Here are the teams to keep an eye on as potential suitors for Sorsby.
Teams with extra draft picks: Extra ammo, extra interest
Teams with multiple picks in a round or surplus future selections have more flexibility to gamble in the supplemental process. As outlined by Tice and Barnwell, these teams are automatically in the conversation:
New York Jets: Three first-rounders (though unlikely to burn a top pick), possible flexibility with other Day 2 assets
Cleveland Browns: Two firsts, plus extra fourths and a fifth
Minnesota Vikings: Multiple picks in the third and fifth rounds
Green Bay Packers: Two extra picks in the fourth
Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins: Extra mid-round selections
Teams with question marks at quarterback
Sorsby isn't viewed as a surefire franchise starter, but his tools, mobility, and "late third, early fourth" grade, according to Tice, make him intriguing as a future upside play, especially for teams unsettled at QB.
Pittsburgh Steelers: They have a crowded but unproven QB room; they could swing for upside without the pressure to play Sorsby immediately.
Said Barnwell: "The one that seems most obvious to me is the Steelers ... Given that there's not really a path to them getting a quarterback. If … you see this guy as a second-, third-round borderline player, let's go and use the second-round pick on him … the upside is the upside."
Cleveland Browns: They'reknown for dart-throwing at backup QB spots. The Browns possess extra draft capital to play with.
However, as Tice points out, "Then it's just recreating the messy bed that you just had last year."
Minnesota Vikings: Added extra picks, have flexibility to "throw a fourth away," and are in a long-term search for a franchise QB.
New York Jets: Surplus picks could allow for an upside bet at QB without cratering their 2027 capital or threatening the short-term timeline.
New Orleans Saints: Barnwell sees a potential fit here."Sneaky fun team … Offensive line got better … Everything's there that I want to see," Barnwell said. "Is it going to be good? Maybe. I don't know. I want to watch it though."
With uncertainty at QB beyond the current plan, they could throw a mid or late pick Sorsby's way.
