The Falcons’ quarterback search is still hanging over everything, and the 2027 class is already starting to shape the conversation around who Kevin Stefanski might eventually want to hand the keys to. Michael Penix Jr. has flashed this season, but he hasn’t been steady enough to lock down the job for the long haul, and Atlanta’s new regime is expected to do plenty of digging on the next wave of passers.
That makes every big weekend from the top quarterback prospects worth watching. If Stefanski is going to get the chance to pick his own guy, the Falcons need to know who is rising, who is slipping, and who might fit what they’re trying to build.
Drew Mestemaker is the name that jumps off the page first. The Oklahoma State quarterback has surged up draft boards and now sits second in the nation in passing yards with 2,962 and first in passing touchdowns with 29. He backed that up in a 66-28 win over Kansas State, finishing 22 of 28 for 313 yards, four touchdowns and an interception while also adding a rushing score and a receiving touchdown.
That kind of production is hard to ignore, especially from a player who didn’t start in high school and walked on at North Texas. He has made the jump to Power Four football look natural, and with the No. 17 jersey and a big arm, he gives off a Josh Allen-lite feel.
The problem for Atlanta is that he may be climbing too fast. Mestemaker looks like he could be the first quarterback taken in the draft and even the No. 1 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, which would likely put him beyond the Falcons’ reach.
Trinidad Chambliss, meanwhile, had a rough day in a spot that was supposed to help his case. Ole Miss hosted No.
2 Georgia and got rolled 42-7, and Chambliss finished 18 of 34 for 170 yards with an interception. For a quarterback who has drawn first-round attention because of his anticipation and mobility, that wasn’t the kind of showing that quiets the doubts.
The numbers around Chambliss are getting harder to ignore. Florida State’s Ashton Daniels and FIU’s JJ Kohl are the only FBS quarterbacks with more interceptions this season, and Chambliss has now thrown a pick in six of his last seven games, including five over the last three. He also comes with obvious physical questions, since he’ll be 25 when he makes his NFL debut and stands just 6-foot and 210 pounds.
Arch Manning remains one of the most fascinating names in the class, and his latest outing only added to that. Texas went on the road and beat No.
18 Missouri 34-20, with Manning going 28 of 38 for 297 yards and three touchdowns. It was his first start since Sept. 19 against UTSA, and he helped Texas pick up its second ranked win in three weeks.
He did it without Cam Coleman, Trevor Goosby or Hollywood Smothers, which only adds to the appeal of what he put on tape. One of his best throws came on the go-ahead touchdown to Raleek Brown, a reminder of the talent that made him the Heisman Trophy favorite entering the season.
Even so, the concerns are still there. Manning has had issues with decision-making and can get rattled under pressure, and he’s taken enough hits to rank as the third-most sacked quarterback in the nation. There’s a case for another year in college, but the tools are obvious, and with Steve Sarkisian’s play-calling not always helping him, he could work his way back into first-round territory as the season goes on.
In Other News...
Giants Deadline Aggression Was Bigger Than Fans Realized
The trade deadline chatter around New York was not limited to its own roster, and one of the more surprising calls reportedly reached Atlanta. The Giants were said to have explored a deal for Bijan Robinson, a sign of just how aggressively they were searching for help before the deadline and how highly they viewed the Falcons running back.
From Atlantas side, the idea never really had much traction. Robinson is seen as a franchise cornerstone, and the Falcons recently locked him in with a new deal, making any move for him a long shot from the start. With New York also pulling back from its pursuit of Jonathan Taylor, the Giants appear set to move forward with what they have, while Atlanta continues building around one of its most important offensive pieces. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Fans Will Want To Know How Far This Bijan Pursuit Went
The Giants spent the 2026 NFL trade deadline exploring ways to shake up their roster, but they came away empty-handed after failing to complete any deals. Among the names they reportedly checked on were Jeffery Simmons, Jonathan Taylor and Bijan Robinson, a sign they were at least kicking the tires on a major move before deciding to stand pat.
For Falcons fans, the Robinson mention is the one worth filing away. Atlanta has treated him like a centerpiece since handing him a three-year extension worth up to $75 million this offseason, and the fact that his name surfaced in deadline chatter only underscores how much league-wide interest there is in the running back. For now, the Giants will keep moving forward with Cam Skattebo in the backfield, while the Falcons can at least take note of how far the pursuit apparently went. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Just Changed Their Offensive Line Plan In A Big Way
The Falcons have altered the middle of their offensive line in a notable way, moving on from Ryan Neuzil after he spent the past two seasons as their full-time starting center. In return, Atlanta added guard Andrew Vorhees, a player who has already logged 22 starts for Baltimore since entering the league in 2023, along with a 2028 sixth-round draft pick.
The deal leaves a clear opening at center, and Corey Levin now appears to be in line for the first real chance to step into that role. For a line that has been trying to settle itself, this is a significant shift in the plan, with Atlanta betting on a different mix up front as it reshapes the interior around Vorhees and whatever comes next at center. [Read more 🡒]