ASU’s Sam Leavitt ranks in elite tier of early 2026 mock draft

ESPN draft guru Field Yates has been on the Sam Leavitt train for a little while now.

Yates has called the Arizona State signal caller a top-four quarterback in the 2026 draft class and compared him to former Kenny Dillingham mentee Bo Nix, whose 2024 rookie year raised the bar on his expectations for the Denver Broncos.

Now, the analyst’s 2026 NFL mock draft before the 2026 college and pro seasons begin shows that Leavitt’s place as the fourth-best QB in the class is in an elite tier in the context of the full class.

Yates has Leavitt going ninth overall to the Los Angeles Rams based on ESPN’s Football Power Index setting the draft order. Los Angeles owns the Atlanta Falcons’ draft slot from a draft-day trade in 2025.

It’s not clear whether Matthew Stafford will be playing in 2026, but the Rams can add his heir apparent at the draft either way. Leavitt is an innovator, showing exceptional poise, moxie and creativity under duress. The redshirt sophomore is a talented thrower and very strong runner. He had at least three passing touchdowns and zero interceptions in five of his final seven matchups last season, and he finished with 443 rushing yards on the year. L.A. can start thinking about the future under center with this top-10 pick via Atlanta.

The 2026 draft, in Yates’ eyes, is rich with high-tier quarterback talent with Texas’ Arch Manning, South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers and Clemson’s Cade Klubnik going one-two-three.

Two spots after Leavitt is off the board, Penn State’s Drew Allar is selected at No. 11 in the mock.

Sam Leavitt isn’t the only ASU product in the 1st round of Yates’ 2026 NFL mock draft

If Leavitt’s season goes as expected, he will be helped — and help — receiver Jordyn Tyson’s own draft stock.

With college football’s best two receivers in Alabama’s Ryan Williams and Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith not eligible to go pro, Tyson is the first wide receiver off the board in Yates’ mock at No. 20 overall, where he joins Nix on the Broncos.

The Broncos are well-stocked at most spots on the roster, but putting another difference-making playmaker alongside Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr. and Evan Engram could lift the whole offense. At 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, Tyson is extremely comfortable with the ball in his hands and has very good instincts after the catch. He had five games with over 100 receiving yards in 2024 and joins Leavitt to form one of the best QB-WR duos in college football this season.

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