The Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons have their starting quarterbacks on the roster, but they are still exploring the group ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Bryce Young is the QB1 in Carolina, and either Michael Penix Jr. or Tua Tagovailoa will start in Atlanta. However, both NFC South teams hosted Minnesota-Moorhead QB Jack Strand on a pre-draft visit, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
Minnesota-Moorhead is in Division II and plays in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, but Strand has some impressive stats: 13,155 yards and 126 TDs in 42 games.
Former Minnesota-Moorhead QB Jack Strand had pre-draft visits with the Panthers and Falcons, per sources.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 14, 2026
A big guy (6-3⅞, 243 pounds) with a big arm, Strand holds every major school passing record, throwing for 13,155 yards and 126 TDs in 42 games. pic.twitter.com/078by5nk8L
Despite playing in Division II, Strand’s numbers and tape alone are worth a team taking a chance on him. The Green Bay Packers also met with Strand at The American Bowl, so he is drawing attention despite playing in a lower level.
Strand is viewed as a potential Round 6 or Round 7 pick, although most major mock drafts don’t have Strand being selected at all.
The Panthers traded backup QB Andy Dalton to the Philadelphia Eagles, but Carolina did bring in Kenny Pickett.
The Falcons signed Tagovailoa to compete for the job with Penix, so the QB1 and QB2 jobs are set for both teams.
Still, Strand would be viewed as a developmental project, but the teams hosting him on pre-draft visits suggest that there is a real possibility the Division II product gets selected in the NFL Draft.
