League: NFL Sport: Football Country: United States Category: Draft

Drew Mestemaker struggles under pressure, drawing comparisons to elite QBs

CBS Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Nov 6, 2026, 8:16 PM

Last updated Nov 6, 2026

Drew Mestemaker struggles under pressure, drawing comparisons to elite QBs

Summary

Drew Mestemaker, the Oklahoma State quarterback, faces scrutiny for his high rate of turnover-worthy plays under pressure this season. With a 13.0% turnover-worthy play rate through Week 9, he ranks alongside Caleb Williams and Trevor Lawrence, who had similar concerns in college but later excelled in the NFL. Mestemaker's performance shows marked improvement in avoiding sacks while increasing risky throws, prompting debate among NFL evaluators ahead of the 2027 draft. Analysts believe his potential remains intriguing despite these worries.

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Key Details

•Mestemaker recorded seven turnover-worthy plays in 54 pressured dropbacks.
•He transferred from North Texas to Oklahoma State after the 2025 season.
•NFL teams are evaluating his decision-making under pressure.
•Concerns echo those surrounding Williams and Lawrence during their college careers.
•Mestemaker has improved his ability to avoid sacks this season.

Latest Updates

8:16 PMCBS Sports — Is Drew Mestemaker really QB1? A troubling trend and lessons from Caleb Williams, Trevor Lawrence

What they're saying

"
The Oklahoma State QB has become a popular QB1 choice, but his mistakes under pressure offer a warning – and some fascinating historical comparisons.
— CBS Sportsby Ryan Wilson

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