2026 NFL Draft: Quarterback Big Board

The 2026 NFL Draft inches closer as the league passes through the postseason all-star games like the Senior Bowl, American Bowl, and the Combine. Pro Days and team visits are ongoing or scheduled for the near future as the league gears up for free agency. While the 2026 draft isn’t a banner year for quarterback prospects, talented prospects still remain in the hunt for draft picks. Which one of the few passers earned the right to be on the 2026 quarterback big board?

Note: All statistics are courtesy of College Football Reference.

1. Fernando Mendoza | 6’5 236 | Indiana

Mendoza is the runaway favorite for the first overall selection in a perceived weak draft class for quarterbacks. The national championship-winning passer won the Heisman Trophy this past season. However, Mendoza, the prospect, isn’t without warts. He has the prototypical size, but not the foot speed or the arm to manipulate defenses. His offense relied heavily on precision passing, which won’t always be the case in the NFL. The pocket gets muddy more frequently in the league, and Mendoza lacks adequate athleticism to maneuver. The former Hoosier star is a leader and extremely personable, but the physical traits will be a downgrade unless he can correct them.

When he’s on time, there’s no more deadly accurate passer in the college ranks than he. Indiana’s offense was Mendoza finding long-limbed receivers making heroic catch after heroic catch. Those balls get intercepted more in the league, and he’ll have to find another way to defeat defenders. Physically and stylistically, he compares to fellow Heisman winner and longtime veteran Carson Palmer.

Round Projection: First Overall Selection

Player Comparison: Carson Palmer

2025 Statistics: 273 / 379 (72%), 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns to interceptions, 90 attempts for 276 yards and seven touchdowns

2. Garrett Nussmeier | 6’2 203 | LSU

Nussmeier entered the 2025 season with significant hype as the next great quarterback prospect in the class, but he fell apart due to an undisclosed injury. He was injured to the point that backup Michael Van Buren stepped in during the middle of a lost season. The arm talent is undeniable, but he uses it far too often, thinking that his passes are immune to enterprising defensive backs. Another concern is the one year of stratospheric production compared to three middling-to-below-average seasons in his career.

The son of a veteran NFL coach should know better about ball placement, and he does, but the tough guy mentality has its limits. Physically, he possesses a smaller frame and is battle-tested in the rigors of the SEC. 2025 was a lost cause due to injury, but he was invited to the Senior Bowl. Physically and stylistically, he resembles former Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers. Can he bring back the 2024 form, or is 2025 the norm going forward? He likely needs a redshirt year to settle down and become a competent NFL starter.

Round Projection: Day 2 to Day 3

Player Comparison: Quinn Ewers

2025 Statistics: 194/288 (67%) 1,927 yards, 12 touchdowns to five interceptions

3. Ty Simpson | 6’1 211 | Alabama

Simpson finally got his turn as the starter at Alabama after waiting behind a couple of early draft picks in Jalen Milroe and Bryce Young. Like most first-year quarterbacks, he was inconsistent while leading the Tide through a regime change. The lack of starting experience will make front offices queasy, given the trend of inexperienced quarterbacks not succeeding in the league. He doesn’t have the ideal size and arm talent, but has a penchant for showing off his wheels when necessary. His biggest strengths are his football IQ and processing ability, but his physical traits offset them. The phrase “the mind is willing, but the body is not” applies to him. If he can go to a team that can afford to redshirt him as he gets his body right, Simpson has a fighting chance. He physically and stylistically resembles former Texas quarterback Colt McCoy.

Round Projection: First to Third

Player Comparison: Colt McCoy

2025 Statistics: 305 / 473 (64%), 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns to five interceptions

4. Carson Beck | 6’5 233 | Miami

Beck has the physical tools to succeed in the league, which include a live arm, but the arm strength was sapped in 2025 following elbow surgery. He suffered the injury during the latter stages of the 2024 season, which knocked him out of Georgia’s playoff run. Beck then transferred to Miami, leading the Hurricanes to the national championship game, ultimately losing to Indiana. The Miami signal caller is a tough customer in the pocket, willing to absorb monster hits to make the spectacular pass. Beck does have some mobility to maneuver around the pocket, but he isn’t a great athlete. He quickly processes what the defenses give him and has a rapid-fire release to offset concerns about athleticism. Former NFL veteran and USC stalwart Matt Barkley is his physical and stylistic comparison. Beck could go early on Day 3 or late on Day 2.

Round Projection: Early Day 3

Player Comparison: Matt Barkley

2025 Statistics: 338 / 467 (72%), 3,813 yards, 30 touchdowns to 12 interceptions

5. Drew Allar | 6’5 228 | Penn State

Allar gathered immense hype as a potential top-ten selection following the 2024 season, but the 2025 campaign did not go well for him. He struggled with inconsistency before ultimately bowing out with a horrific leg injury that ended his season. The Penn State signal caller has the size that scouts covet, along with the arm to make big-time throws. However, consistency is an issue for him: one throw can look great, but the next can go awry. Teams will dig into his medical history, including the leg injury that sidelined him for most of 2025. He’ll have to answer questions about why Penn State struggled to get going, ultimately leading to James Franklin’s firing. His profile is similar to former LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger and should become a Day 3 selection.

Round Projection: Early to Middle Day 3

Player Comparison: Zach Mettenberger

2025 Statistics: 103 / 159 (64%), 1,100 yards, eight touchdowns to three interceptions

6. Taylen Green | 6’6 227 | Arkansas

After a so-so showing at Arkansas throughout his career, Green made the most of his Senior Bowl invitation and wowed people in attendance with his performance. He carried the good run of form into the Combine, where he produced an all-time athletic display for a quarterback not seen in some time. He’s an athletic freak, as the testing and tape attest, but the raw ability hasn’t been developed properly at Arkansas. It will take some time for his NFL team to develop his skill set into that of a pro passer. The physical tools are there, but the accuracy can be hit or miss. His athleticism should translate at the next level. He’s a tall and lanky signal caller who needs a redshirt season with a team patient enough to build around his skills. His physical profile resembles that of former University of Buffalo quarterback Tyree Jackson, who ultimately converted positions.

Round Projection: Late Day 3

Player Comparison: Tyree Jackson

2025 Statistics: 198 / 326 (60%), 2,714 yards, 19 touchdowns to 11 interceptions; 139 attempts for 777 yards and eight touchdowns