Greg McElroy lists Taylen Green as potential 1st-round 'flier' in 2026 NFL Draft

As Greg McElroy evaluated which quarterbacks could become first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, he picked Miami’s Carson Beck as one who could play his way to that level. But he also thinks teams could consider a “flier” on another.

McElroy pointed to Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green as someone generating buzz among scouts. He leads the nation in total yards per game through Week 7, accounting for more than 350 yards on average.

That dual-threat ability is why McElroy thinks a team could think about selecting Green in the first round come April. Additionally, he’s finding success despite issues on the offensive line in Fayetteville.

“I’ve talked to several scouts, and they’re kind of enamored with this young man’s skillset,” McElroy said on SportsCenter on Tuesday. “Now, is he a traditional quarterback? Probably not. But 6-foot-6, 235 with major wheels? He’s gone over 21.5 miles per hour on the field this year. He’s a one-man wrecking crew for Arkansas.

“And while Arkansas has got issues along the offensive line at times and at defense on all three levels, he has been the engine that has given them a chance in all their games. But Taylen Green, keep an eye on him because someone might take a flier at the end of the first.”

Green ranks fourth in the SEC with 275.7 passing yards per game, and his 14 total touchdowns put him tied for second in the league behind Alabama’s Ty Simpson. Additionally, Green’s 84 rushing yards per game and seven touchdowns are also the most among quarterbacks in the league.

The Arkansas star is also generating some buzz on the Heisman Trophy front. He finished second in ESPN’s Heisman poll this week with 22 points, trailing only Simpson.

ESPN’s Jordan Reid previously rated Green as a Day 3 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. He pointed to some key areas in his game which need improvement, particularly when it comes to getting the ball out quickly.

“Green’s warts have been noticeable in recent weeks, most notably the time he takes to pass the ball,” Reid wrote. “His 3.08-second average time to throw ranks 129th out of 138 quarterbacks in the FBS, and his indecisiveness in the short-to-intermediate areas is a big reason.

“Green has also struggled facing pressure. The six times he has been sacked have come against true pressure, and he has completed only 38.2% of his passes in those situations.”