2026 NFL Draft rankings: Where do QBs rank behind Fernando Mendoza?

When it comes to quarterbacks in the 2026 NFL Draft , it's Fernando Mendoza , and then everybody else. Mendoza, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and national champion out of Indiana, is the clear top quarterback prospect in this year's draft class. He's widely expected to be the No.

1 overall pick in the draft when the Las Vegas Raiders are officially on the clock. Behind Mendoza is a class of a handful of other quarterback prospects who all have promising tools but have so far been unable to put them together cohesively. That's led to a wide gap between Mendoza at the top of the class and the next-best quarterback, widely considered to be Alabama's Ty Simpson – who isn't a lock to hear his name called in Round 1.

USA TODAY Sports' draft expert Ayrton Ostly ranked the top prospects in the draft class on his big board . Here's how the quarterback prospects stack up in the top 200: NFL NEWS, TAKES, FANTASY ADVICE: USA TODAY Sports has you covered with our NFL vodcast 2026 NFL Draft: Ranking top QB prospects 1. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana Scouting report : Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy in what's been an unprecedented year for the Hoosiers program.

He has NFL size at 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds with a surprisingly quick release. His arm talent fits the bill but what stands out on tape from Mendoza is his post-snap processing. That football IQ gives him a high floor in the NFL even if his ceiling is capped by his good-but-not-great mobility and arm talent.