Quarterback is one of the weakest positions in the 2026 NFL Draft, with a realistic chance that only one could go in the first round despite two players carrying first-round grades on my board.
The group is headlined by Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, who is all butlocked in as the No. 1 overall pick, followed by Ty Simpson, who has Pro Bowl upside in the right situation.
After that, the class shifts into a mid-round mix of intriguing developmental options, including LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier.
Fernando Mendoza claims QB1 spot in final 2026 NFL Draft rankings
1. Fernando Mendoza, IndianaÂ
There’s no debate at the top. Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza is the best quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft and the clear-cut number one pick. NFL Mocks was alone heading into the 2025 season in having him ranked as the top signal-caller, and he’s done nothing to lose that spot. What separates Mendoza is his elite football IQ, toughness, and natural leadership, traits that consistently show up on tape and make him the safest bet in this class.
FERNANDO. MENDOZA.
— ESPN (@espn) January 20, 2026
THE PLAY OF A LIFETIME ‼️ pic.twitter.com/g3o5nNNslr
2. Ty Simpson, Alabama
The most natural passer in the 2026 NFL Draft is Alabama’s Ty Simpson, who was named second-team All-SEC in his first season as a starter. His game stands out because of his fundamentals and poise in the pocket. The concern is that he holds the ball too long at times and can struggle under pressure. If he lands with a team that gives him a strong supporting cast, something he did not consistently have at Alabama, he has Pro Bowl upside.
3. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
A quarterback coming off a down season is LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, who dealt with an abdominal strain and a poor supporting cast, including virtually no running game. When healthy, like he was in 2024, he played like a true first-round quarterback, averaging 311 passing yards per game with 29 touchdown passes. As a pro prospect, he is a confident passer who does a good job of letting plays develop downfield. One area NFL coaches will focus on is improving his ball security.
4. Carson Beck, Miami
If this were 20 years ago when pocket passers ruled the game, Carson Beck would likely be viewed as a first-round pick. But in today’s NFL, the inability to create plays with his feet is a major limitation, and that lack of mobility works against him. Those concerns, combined with reported off-field character questions, could push him into Day 3 of the NFL Draft. On the positive side, he is an accurate passer who consistently hits receivers in stride.
"Carson Beck is ultra competitive, and his football IQ is off the charts. It didn’t take long to realize that he’s a team player, and that his work ethic is also through the roof."Miami HC Mario Cristobal
5. Drew Allar, Penn State
Another quarterback who had a disappointing 2025 season is Penn State’s Drew Allar, who played in only six games before a season-ending ankle injury. When healthy, he has shown strong upside, including in 2024 when he finished second in single-season Penn State history in completion percentage (66.5), third in passing efficiency (153.3), third in passing yardage (3,327), fourth in completions (262), and tied for fourth in touchdown passes (24). In 2023, he also posted a 12.5-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio, ranking second nationally behind Oregon’s Bo Nix. The biggest question at the next level is whether he lands with a coach who can clean up his footwork, which has been the main source of inconsistency in his game.
Overall rankings
1. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana (first round)
2. Ty Simpson, Alabama (first round)
3. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU (third round)
4. Carson Beck, Miami (fourth round)
5. Drew Allar, Penn State (fourth round)
6. Taylen Green, Arkansas (fourth round)
7. Sawyer Robertson, Baylor (fifth round)
8. Cade Klubnik, Clemson (sixth round)
9. Luke Altmyer, Illinois (sixth round)