We’re less than two months away from the 2026 NFL draft, as it commences April 23 in Pittsburgh. With the combine having just concluded, I’m revisiting the rankings of the quarterback cohort. Who are the foremost QBs available?
We introduced a further adjustment to this version, as Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss will be going back to university in 2026 after being issued a temporary order to his qualification dispute (although the NCAA is contesting). Heisman runner-up Diego Pavia assumes his position on our list. But these rankings are not yet conclusive, as pro days and top-30 visits are yet to occur.
Without further ado, let’s arrange the 12 top signal-callers in the 2026 class currently.
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Selections for Day 2 | Selections for Day 3
Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 236 pounds
Class: Redshirt junior | Projected range: Round 1
His Strengths: There consistently appears to be a quarterback who rapidly ascends from Day 2-3 pre-season speculation into early Round 1 (see Jayden Daniels and Cam Ward). Mendoza occupies that position in this class.
He moved to Indiana during the previous off-season after having spent his initial three years at Cal. There was considerable excitement from scouts about Mendoza last summer, but many preferred to observe before committing prior to the 2025 season. He performed admirably, culminating in 3,535 passing yards, 41 touchdowns and only six interceptions, securing the Heisman Trophy and guiding the Hoosiers to their initial national title.
Integrating individual or standalone routes alongside rushing schemes has been advantageous for Mendoza, who is at ease with progressions that force one-on-one dilemmas for defenders. He has a vigorous, three-quarter delivery motion, making Mendoza’s mechanics and the Hoosiers’ passing game a perfect synergy. His 79.2% adjusted completion percentage positioned him second nationally. He was also outstanding within the red zone last season, with his 27 touchdowns (without an interception) being the highest tally in the FBS, surpassing by three Duke’s Darian Mensah.
Resilience and surmounting challenges during play are two of Mendoza’s defining characteristics. He was instrumental in guiding the Hoosiers to a Week 7 away victory at Oregon, orchestrated an 80-yard, clinch-the-game possession at Penn State, and triumphed over Ohio State in a demanding Big Ten title match in which he was briefly forced to exit the contest prematurely. He concluded by executing a courageous touchdown dash for the decisive points in the College Football National Championship game against Miami. It’s as impressive a curriculum vitae that a prospective signal-caller can have from a perspective of resilience and fortitude. That’s why Mendoza is the dominant front-runner to be selected by the Las Vegas Raiders with the premier overall selection.
Areas for Improvement: While Mendoza is at ease operating from within the pocket, he encounters difficulties when displaced from his initial throwing position. When compelled to relocate, Mendoza had a 53.2% completion percentage last season. Many of his imprecise passes originated when dislodged from his initial throwing spot, driven out of the pocket or compelled into chaotic play extensions. Under authentic duress, his completion percentage fell to 50%.
Mendoza has distinguished himself as the leading thrower in this year’s class, but one thing in the professional league which will be comparatively unfamiliar is performing from directly behind the center. He primarily operated from the shotgun formation last season, with merely 3% of his plays under center. Working under center is crucial in the NFL, as it maintains defensive integrity and enhances the effectiveness of play-action fakes on opponents, so Mendoza will have to refine those technical aspects.
Height: 6-foot-1 | Weight: 211 pounds
Class: Redshirt junior | Projected range: Late Round 1, Early Day 2
His Strengths: After a challenging opening week display, Simpson had an impressive run during the middle of his inaugural campaign as a primary quarterback. During a period spanning eight contests that included four top-16 ranked opponents (Georgia, Vanderbilt, Missouri and Tennessee), Simpson accumulated 1,954 passing yards, 19 touchdowns and only one interception while completing 71.9% of his passes. Simpson showed that he’s a composed thrower with marginally superior arm talent and that little disconcerts him within the pocket.
There is no pass Simpson believes he cannot execute, as his resilience and self-assurance emerged intermittently. The son of veteran UT-Martin head coach Jason Simpson, Ty’s gridiron acumen and perception are readily apparent. Simpson was afforded considerable pre-snap independence and was regularly observed adjusting protection schemes and offensive calls. His ability to decipher defensive alignments far exceeds that of a standard quarterback hopeful with 15 career starts.
Simpson is an underappreciated sportsman whose ability to navigate the pocket is one of the finest among all throwers in this year’s class. He also can create opportunities beyond the designed scheme. Of his 30 overall scores last season (28 passing, two rushing), seven originated with Simpson beyond the pocket’s confines. He’s astute in identifying and adapting to pre-snap configurations.
Simpson chose to participate in throwing drills at the combine and enhanced his standing after an unsatisfactory conclusion to last season. He showcased strong velocity on passes in the mid-range zones, but what truly distinguished itself was his finesse on long-range passes.
“I would not select him before Day 2, but I think he possesses the potential to be chosen within picks 20-32,” an AFC area scout said. “It’s because the requirements will significantly exceed the available talent in this year’s class.”
Areas for Improvement: Simpson occasionally fails to discern the conclusion of a play. He is inclined to retain possession longer than required and circulate aimlessly within the pocket while endeavoring to prolong plays that are evidently ruined. Therefore, he incurs lost yardage through detrimental plays that might have been averted by completing a short pass, scrambling, or throwing the ball away.
Simpson’s precision declined toward the season’s end, leading to an 11.2% inaccuracy rate that placed 63rd in the FBS. And notwithstanding his combine deep-throw proficiency, Simpson connected on merely 37.3% of throws traveling 20 or more air yards in 2025.
Simpson’s limited number of starts also raises apprehension. Many scouts maintain wariness due to that restricted body of work.
Height: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 203 pounds
Class: Redshirt senior | Projected
Projected range: Late Day 2, Early Day 3
Where he excels: Nussmeier commenced the 2025 season with elevated expectations after an encouraging debut year as a starter. He displayed glimpses of brilliance in 2024, amassing 4,052 passing yards and 29 touchdowns. This led numerous assessors to believe he possessed the capacity to ascend to the pinnacle of the 2026 QB class. However, circumstances diverged from that path, as Nussmeier experienced a noticeable decline, recording 1,927 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and five interceptions across nine games. He contended with several ailments in 2025, specifically patellar tendinitis in his knee.
Nussmeier predominantly functions from the pocket and plays with bold foresight. He delivers precise passes to designated areas in the mid-range play while demonstrating a superior understanding of route profundity and the culmination point for his targets on passing concepts. Nussmeier possesses a pliable throwing arm, enabling him to readily adjust his release points and pass arcs to thread throws into openings. He adeptly maneuvers within the pocket, is cognizant of alternative targets, and releases the ball swiftly.
Nussmeier commenced the draft preparation aiming to demonstrate his health. He met numerous criteria during Senior Bowl week, reverting to his confident, predictive throwing style. This is a component of his allure, as Nussmeier’s throwing strength is modest, yet he is unafraid to challenge the limits of defenses and relies on his wide-out receivers.
Where he needs work: Nussmeier was limited to assailing mainly the close range of the field last season, owing to LSU’s tactical approach of rapid plays and common screen passes. While he does launch the infrequent deep pass, he accrued a mere 6.4 air yards per attempt (130th in the FBS). LSU’s running game being ranked 126th in the FBS also compounded the issue.
He also has an inclination towards risk-taking, which serves as both an advantage and a drawback. Nussmeier exhibits occasional instances of imprudence, stemming from his assurance in forecasting plays. Numerous analysts believe that Nussmeier possesses the characteristics of a mid-to-late round candidate who has the skill, cognizance, and disposition to endure in the league for over ten years as a reserve and ultimately evolve into an occasional starter.
Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 233 pounds
Class: Sixth-year senior | Projected range: Late Day 2, Early Day 3
Where he excels: Previously considered a contender to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft, Beck’s erratic performance led to his entry into the transfer portal after an underwhelming concluding year at Georgia. But Beck began to rejuvenate his draft prospects at Miami last season. A passer with a consistent tempo, performing optimally when permitted to operate in sync, he finished with 3,813 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Even though one of those interceptions occurred on the final drive of the national championship game against Indiana, Beck forged a strong rapport with Miami’s playmakers and offensive line.
Beck was aided by a more steady and enhanced pass-catching unit around him and resembled more closely what he displayed in 2023 versus 2024. He is a composed pocket operator who wants to systematically analyze and distribute against defenses. His game is founded on precision and resolution, so he expends minimal delay in releasing the ball and stays aligned with read progressions. His 74.8% adjusted completion percentage last season was the eighth-best figure among all FBS quarterbacks.
Many teams are confident in the baseline performance he offers and perceive him as a solid mid-round choice.
“We don’t need a QB, but he’s favored to be the third quarterback selected if we needed to select one,” an NFC director of college scouting communicated to me at the combine.
Where he needs work: Teams able to persistently apply immediate pressure against Beck have been able to disrupt his performance. Beck’s off-target percentage when his feet are planted (9.7%) last season was markedly divergent from when he is compelled to relocate (21.4%) from his initial throwing stance.
Beck needs to be drafted by a team where he’s the culminating component of the ensemble rather than one that is deficient in adjacent offensive weapons; he’s more dependent on robust support systems than most QBs. The Miami blocking unit was crucial, as Beck’s 17.1% rate of pressure encountered was the minimal in the FBS. He received an average of 2.9 seconds for release. Beck was able to operate within the prescribed boundaries of the attack while not compelled to create plays beyond the system. But is he capable of performing adequately under less favorable circumstances?
Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 228 pounds
Class: Senior | Projected range: Late Day 2, Early Day 3
Where he excels: Allar possesses ideal physical dimensions and throwing power. He’s a superior mid-range thrower who doesn’t hesitate to challenge constricted passing lanes and can precisely connect with routes in the central field. He thoroughly reviews read progressions and distributes to receivers, and he has ample throwing power to thrive at the next level. He also has the agility to maneuver within the pocket and secure accessible yardage.
He also has ample game time, having started 35 games and played in 45 overall. He made a significant progression from his sophomore to junior season, improving his pass completion rate from 59.9% in 2023 to 66.5% in 2024. Following his declaration to remain in college prior to last season, Allar was promptly anticipated to be among the premier quarterbacks in this class.
This outcome did not materialize. A disheartening defeat at home against Oregon in double overtime, in which Allar threw the decisive interception, was succeeded by defeats to UCLA and Northwestern. He sustained a fractured left ankle in the Northwestern game and was benched for the remainder of the year. Preceding the ailment, Allar had 1,100 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and three interceptions.
Evaluators were highly appreciative of Allar’s showing at the combine in his initial post-ailment participation. The throwing power was readily apparent, as the pass departed his hand with considerable force behind it. His precision enhanced as the period advanced.
“I truly admire that he participated and competed at the combine,” an AFC area scout stated. “He’s been somewhat enigmatic since the ankle injury, but I’m glad that he came out and proved that he was progressing towards full recovery.”
Where he needs work: Allar’s precision declined last season, as his 12.5% errant pass rate stood at 94th in the FBS, and Allar has moments where he delivers the pass inaccurately high or low. He often compels pass-catchers to exert undue effort to complete receptions.
“The primary concern is that he performs well versus lower and mid-level opponents, but he just hasn’t had that standout showing any time that he competes against top-tier adversaries,” an AFC assistant general manager remarked.
NFL franchises are captivated by athletic attributes. In what is a disorganized collection of QBs in Rounds 3 and 4, Allar has unequivocally the most impressive physical characteristics of the lot, but his precision still needs refinement.
There probably will be a team that persuades itself that it possesses the suitable mentorship to help Allar rectify his technical imperfections, so his selection sooner than anticipated would not be astonishing.
6. Cole Payton, North Dakota State
Height: 6-foot-3 | Weight: 232 pounds
Class: Senior | Projected range: Late Day 2, Early Day 3
Areas of Strength: Payton upholds the established legacy of distinguished North Dakota State quarterbacks. Sidelined for the final eight matchups of the 2024 season due to an injury to his non-throwing shoulder, he rebounded impressively in 2025, tallying 3,188 passing yards, 29 total touchdowns (16 aerial, 13 ground), and just four interceptions.
Payton presents as a formidable two-way player, possessing a physique that enables him to execute challenging passes from the pocket and exhibit his prowess as a rusher. He is resilient within the pocket, capable of absorbing significant impacts from defenders while still delivering precise throws. As a superb deep-ball thrower, Payton’s robust foundation, finesse, and intuition aid him in placing passes with pinpoint precision. Pre-planned quarterback carries and brief-yardage scenarios prove effective with him, owing to his discernment and his resolve to battle past and elude potential defenders.
Payton emerged as the steadiest signal-caller throughout Senior Bowl week. He demonstrated reliable execution of reads, placing passes with varying trajectories, and exhibited unwavering confidence on passes into narrow openings over the middle. Despite being categorized primarily as an athlete on certain draft boards, Payton is an authentic quarterback with considerable potential. Due to the significant advancement he has displayed during the pre-draft evaluation period, he is now a sought-after mid-round prospect for franchises seeking a developmental quarterback with high potential.
“He was fully recovered this year before that particular match in the playoffs, and I was rather impressed by his tape,” an AFC scout covering the Midwest region commented. “We perceived him as akin to a Taysom Hill-type, possessing the capacity to contribute beyond mere passing.”
Areas for Refinement: Payton exhibits a circular arm action, which incorporates unconventional mechanics. He ought to become less dependent on his upper body to produce velocity in his throws, as his lower body rigidity is particularly evident when directing passes to his left. Advancing through his secondary reads and improving his comprehensive pocket cognizance are additional aspects he needs to enhance. Furthermore, he has a tendency to fixate on primary targets and remains oblivious to underneath receivers. Finally, Payton also ought to utilize his athleticism further by scrambling when plays unravel or when initial choices are unavailable.
Payton sustained a fractured thumb on his dominant hand during the team’s elimination in the second round of the FCS playoffs.
Height: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 227 pounds
Class: Fifth-year senior | Projected range: Early Day 3
Strengths: Green delivered an unparalleled quarterback testing display at the combine, recording a scorching 4.36-second 40-yard dash, leaping 43½ inches in the vertical jump, and 11-foot-2 in the broad jump. This caliber of athleticism is routinely evident in game footage.
“If given the opportunity to nurture [a quarterback] gradually, he’s the one I’d be willing to invest in,” an NFC assistant general manager stated. “Many innovative strategies could be employed with him during his maturation, as that kind of prospect is often favored for taking a risk on.”
Green promptly assumed the starting role for the Razorbacks after relocating from Boise State once the 2023 season concluded. Last season, he amassed 2,714 aerial yards, 19 scoring passes, and 11 interceptions, in addition to 771 ground yards (ranking 12th highest among FBS quarterbacks) and two touchdowns via rushes. He recorded eight contests with 50 or more rushing yards. Green’s extended gait creates dilemmas for opposing teams when he runs. Furthermore, Green possesses the throwing prowess to deliver the ball precisely where he intends, utilizing his extended overhead delivery.
He has demonstrated the capacity to generate dynamic plays using both his throwing arm (14 completions exceeding 20 air yards) and his running ability. He is expected to be a sought-after mid-round prospect for teams aiming to cultivate a gifted quarterback with significant potential.
0:30
Taylen Green narrates unprecedented scouting combine display
Arkansas’ Taylen Green, among the premier ten quarterback prospects, narrates his unprecedented NFL scouting combine display.
Areas for Improvement: Green’s deficiencies became apparent as last season progressed, chiefly regarding the duration he holds the ball before throwing. His average time to throw, 3.13 seconds, positioned him 134th out of 138 quarterbacks in the FBS, with his hesitation in the short-to-intermediate areas being a significant factor. Green has also faced challenges under duress. All 27 times he was taken down last season occurred against genuine pressure, and he managed to complete merely 38.6% of his passes in those situations.
Green’s peak performances are exceptional, yet his struggles can be perplexing. His path to maturation as a passer will likely be challenging. Green unquestionably possesses the requisite arm power and agility, but his erratic precision, footwork, and timing all necessitate substantial guidance moving forward.
Height: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 210 pounds
Class: Senior | Projected range: Early-mid Day 3
Strong Suits: Upon relocating to Illinois from Ole Miss in 2023, Altmyer assumed the starting role in his debut season with the team. He progressed each year, concluding 2025 with 3,007 aerial yardage and 22 scoring throws against five interceptions. Altmyer functions as a genuine field general, distributing the ball swiftly, disseminating it widely, and rapidly analyzing rival defenses. He is adept at recognizing vulnerabilities or gaps in defenses, and his 8.0% inaccurate throw rate was the eighth-least in the FBS.
Illinois’ offense employs a blend of diverse personnel groupings, which has allowed Altmyer to acquire familiarity with a range of pre-snap alignments. He can operate from under center or in the shotgun, performs effectively with play-fakes, and can diagnose tiered passing schemes. Furthermore, he can scramble when chances arise, demonstrating the elusiveness and speed to evade primary and secondary defenders.
At the Senior Bowl, Altmyer showcased the reasons why many teams harbor admiration for him as a late-round selection. He maintained offensive timing with precision, delivering passes synchronously and exhibiting the agility to exit the pocket and create opportunities beyond its confines.
Areas for Improvement: Altmyer’s self-assurance presents both benefits and drawbacks, as he tends to overlook more secure choices in his pursuit of spectacular plays. This audacious mindset can incite him to compel passes into narrow openings. While Altmyer possesses modest arm strength, he proves effective in systems that enable him to target synchronized routes.
Many assessors I consulted last season identified him as a prime contender for a speculative late-round pick, someone who might evolve into a long-term reserve signal-caller in the NFL.
Height: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 207 pounds
Class: Senior | Projected range: Early-mid Day 3
Where he excels: With four starting players returning along the Tigers’ offensive line and his three primary wide receivers back for an additional season, I believed Klubnik possessed the finest assistance ensemble in the nation and had an excellent chance to expand upon a remarkable 2024. This contributed to my selection of him as the premier choice in my preliminary mock draft last May. However, Klubnik concluded with 2,943 aerial yards, 16 scores, and six turnovers. He is most at ease executing from play-action fakes, having recorded 10 touchdowns, two interceptions, and a 72.7% pass completion rate.
Klubnik exhibits periods of inconsistent performance during contests, akin to a basketball player with fluctuating shooting accuracy. His unblemished throwing motion enabled him to disseminate the ball uniformly among all his receivers within the short-range zones where the Tigers typically functioned. Klubnik is also a menace as a ball-carrier when compelled to exit the pocket.
Where he needs work: Klubnik possesses numerous mediocre characteristics but lacks a singular outstanding quality. Apart from his Week 6 display against North Carolina (22-of-24, 254 yards and 4 TDs), Klubnik also showed reluctance to deliver the ball promptly. I observed him personally in the 2025 season’s inaugural game versus LSU and perceived his difficulties with timing while deciphering plays. He has demonstrated deficient anticipation abilities, tending to await his colleagues’ separation prior to passing.
His technique often degrades when confronting defensive pressure, and his precision turns erratic. Klubnik only connected on 48.5% of his attempts under genuine pressure. There were varied assessments of Klubnik prior to the season’s commencement, but the belief that he is a mid-to-late round quarterback has gained wider acceptance.
Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 216 pounds
Class: Redshirt senior | Projected range: Late Day 3, UDFA
Where he excels: Robertson possesses an efficacious passing delivery, which aided his ball distribution in Baylor’s expansive, rapid-strike offensive scheme. After relocating from Mississippi State, he assumed the primary quarterback role at the onset of the 2024 season and masterminded one of the nation’s most dynamic offensive groups over the last two years.
Robertson concluded his collegiate tenure with consecutive seasons surpassing 3,000 aerial yards, recording 3,681 passing yards, 31 scores, and 12 turnovers during 2025. He consistently aims for downfield assaults, as his 26 successful passes traveling 20 or more air yards ranked 12th highest in the FBS. Robertson is a rapid, resolute decision-maker who releases the ball with dispatch. He is cognizant of his choices within aerial play designs and demonstrates an eagerness to deliver the ball to any available target, regardless of their position on the gridiron.
Where he needs work: Robertson’s precision and pocket awareness can falter when opposing defenses accelerate his pace and his footwork is unestablished. Last season, his 12 interceptions placed him in a tie for the fifth-highest tally among FBS quarterbacks, and Robertson registered three contests where he recorded a minimum of two interceptions. His judgment tended to become inconsistent in the final quarter, when he threw six interceptions. Insufficiently thrown passes and errors in discerning short-range coverages represented the primary causes of his giveaways and squandered chances.
Height: 6-foot-3 | Weight: 226 pounds
Class: Seventh-year senior | Projected range: Late Day 3, UDFA
Where he excels: An uncommon seventh-year upperclassman, Fagnano completed four campaigns at Maine (2019-22) before relocating to UConn ahead of the 2023 season. He enjoyed a stellar emergence in 2025, concluding with 3,448 aerial yards and 28 scores against merely a single interception — an deflected pass versus Air Force. Fagnano is a technically proficient quarterback whose gaze, footwork, and delivery are consistently synchronized. He demonstrates ease in surveying complete field progressions. He comprehends his constraints and chooses to execute the optimal pass. Moreover, he releases the ball rapidly — his mean time of 2.56 seconds prior to throwing placed him within the FBS’s top 25.
Fagnano excelled when facing formidable adversaries, achieving a 2-1 record versus ACC rivals, which encompassed a triumph over ACC titleholder Duke. His 14 game-winning aerial scores were the most in the FBS.
Where he needs work: Fagnano, who reaches 25 years of age before the draft, participated in an offensive scheme centered on rapid passes, as last season, 28.8% of his throws occurred at or behind the line of scrimmage (ranking 38th highest in the FBS). He possesses restricted arm power and will not impress evaluators with his throwing speed. His style of play leans more towards secure passes rather than challenging defensive coverage in confined spaces.
Height: 5-foot-10 | Weight: 207 pounds
Class: Sixth-year senior | Projected range: Late Day 3, UDFA
Where he excels: Subsequent to two years at junior college, Pavia spent two seasons at New Mexico State before relocating to Vanderbilt ahead of the 2024 campaign. He was the driving force behind one of the nation’s most extraordinary team transformations throughout the last two years. He concluded the previous season with 3,539 aerial yards, 29 scoring throws, and eight turnovers and secured the runner-up position in the Heisman Trophy ballot.
His average of 8.8 yards per dropback represented the highest figure in the FBS, as he is capable of generating dynamic plays with his throwing arm and presented significant challenges for opposing defenses due to his improvisational brilliance when scrambling. Possessing a defiant “us versus them” mindset as a smaller-statured play creator, Pavia habitually competes with fierce intensity and does not shy away from attempting bold maneuvers. Pavia exhibits considerable composure and delivered his finest performances against the most challenging adversaries, irrespective of the setting.
He enjoys prolonging plays and attempting deep passes, a fact underscored by his 9.4 yards per attempt during the previous season (the second-highest in the FBS).
4:35
Revisit Diego Pavia’s top performances at Vanderbilt
With the collegiate tenure of Heisman finalist Pavia concluding, review some of the most notable moments from the Commodores’ signal-caller.
Where he needs work: Standing just shy of 5-foot-10, quarterbacks of Pavia’s build rarely sustain a career in the NFL, particularly as later-round picks. His physical dimensions render him a significant anomaly, potentially removing him from certain franchises’ draft consideration. Pavia ought to acquire the ability to consistently navigate through passing progressions, as Vanderbilt’s offensive scheme frequently featured shotgun formations with single or dual reading options.
He also often evacuates the pocket too soon when initial receiving choices are absent. However, Pavia’s psychological fortitude and intense competitive spirit could sway a franchise to gamble on him in the latter stages of the draft. One cannot dispute the impact he exerted on the Vanderbilt organization and his contribution to its significant betterment during the last two campaigns.