NFL Insider Reveals Best Possible Bryce Young Backups in NFL Draft

The Carolina Panthers may look to add a quarterback in the later rounds to develop behind Bryce Young.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 11:00am

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting featuring overlapping geometric shapes and planes in shades of blue, orange, and green, representing the complex dynamics of the quarterback competition to be Bryce Young's backup in the upcoming NFL Draft.A conceptual illustration depicting the competitive landscape of quarterbacks vying to become Bryce Young's backup in the 2026 NFL Draft.Green Bay Today

The NFL Draft is just 15 days away, and while a quarterback will be taken with the first overall pick, this year's QB class is not considered very strong. The Carolina Panthers, who have Bryce Young as their starting QB, may look to add a backup in the later rounds of the draft. Sports Illustrated's Justin Melo highlighted five quarterbacks that could be good backup options for the Panthers, including Drew Allar from Penn State, Garrett Nussmeier from LSU, and Carson Beck from Miami.

Why it matters

The Panthers signed Kenny Pickett to a one-year deal to be Young's backup in 2026, but with it being just a one-year contract, the team may look to the draft to find a long-term backup option to develop behind Young. Finding the right QB to learn from Young and potentially take over the starting job in the future could be crucial for the Panthers' long-term success.

The details

Drew Allar, Garrett Nussmeier, and Carson Beck were all highly touted quarterback prospects before the 2025 college football season, but saw their draft stock plummet due to injuries and inconsistent play. However, they still possess the physical tools and potential to develop into serviceable NFL backups. Allar has good size and arm talent, Nussmeier showed he can make tight-window throws, and Beck impressed during Miami's College Football Playoff run. The Panthers could target one of these QBs in the later rounds to groom behind Young.

  • The NFL Draft begins in 15 days on April 24, 2026.

The players

Bryce Young

The starting quarterback for the Carolina Panthers.

Drew Allar

A quarterback prospect from Penn State who was once projected as a top draft pick but saw his stock fall due to injury and inconsistent play in 2025.

Garrett Nussmeier

A quarterback prospect from LSU who had a strong 2024 season but struggled with injuries and inconsistency in 2025.

Carson Beck

A quarterback prospect from Miami who helped his draft stock with a strong performance in the College Football Playoff.

Kenny Pickett

A quarterback signed by the Panthers to a one-year deal to be Bryce Young's backup in 2026.

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What they’re saying

“I understand the Drew Allar hype…”

— NFL Draft Files

“Garrett Nussmeier is a tale of two seasons His 2024 self and more is in there somewhere”

— NFL Draft Files

“I'm VERY impressed with Miami QB Carson Beck today The boo's might be making him play better”

— NFL Draft Files

What’s next

The Panthers will have the opportunity to select a quarterback in the later rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft to develop as a backup behind Bryce Young.

The takeaway

The Panthers may look to the 2026 NFL Draft to find a long-term backup quarterback option to learn behind Bryce Young, with prospects like Drew Allar, Garrett Nussmeier, and Carson Beck potentially available in the later rounds.