2026 NFL Draft: Field Yates releases final pre-draft QB rankings for ESPN

The 2026 NFL Draft is just a week away, and teams are scrambling at all positions, especially quarterback.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 9:18pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the 2026 NFL Draft quarterback prospects as abstract geometric shapes and planes of color, capturing the uncertainty and unpredictability of this year's class.The 2026 NFL Draft's quarterback class is a puzzle of raw talent and potential, with no clear consensus beyond the top prospects.Indianapolis Today

ESPN's Field Yates has ranked his top-seven quarterback prospects ahead of next week's NFL Draft. Reigning Heisman Trophy winner and National Champion Fernando Mendoza seems poised to be the No. 1 overall pick to lead the Las Vegas Raiders. Alabama's Ty Simpson, Miami's Carson Beck, LSU's Garrett Nussmeier, North Dakota State's Cole Payton, Penn State's Drew Allar, and Arkansas' Taylen Green round out the top-seven QB prospects.

Why it matters

With the quarterback position being the most important in football, teams in need of a win-now QB will have limited options in this year's draft class. However, there are several intriguing developmental prospects that could blossom into future starters.

The details

Fernando Mendoza, the projected No. 1 overall pick, had a dominant 2025 season at Indiana, throwing for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns. Ty Simpson, Alabama's starting QB, is ranked as the second-best QB prospect after leading the Tide to the College Football Playoff. Miami's Carson Beck, LSU's Garrett Nussmeier, North Dakota State's Cole Payton, Penn State's Drew Allar, and Arkansas' Taylen Green round out the top-seven QB prospects according to ESPN's Field Yates.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is just a week away (April 24-26, 2026).
  • Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy and led Indiana to a 16-0 national championship season in 2025.

The players

Fernando Mendoza

The reigning Heisman Trophy winner and National Champion who is projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders.

Ty Simpson

The Alabama quarterback who is ranked as the second-best QB prospect in the draft after leading the Crimson Tide to the College Football Playoff in 2025.

Carson Beck

The Miami quarterback who led the Hurricanes to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game in 2025.

Garrett Nussmeier

The LSU quarterback who dealt with injuries in 2025 after a strong 2024 season, but is still considered one of the top QB prospects in the draft.

Cole Payton

The North Dakota State quarterback who is seeking to become the fifth player from the school drafted since 2016 after a strong 2025 campaign.

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What they’re saying

“His limited number of starts (15, all in this past season) is also a concern. Overall, Simpson has the skill set to develop into a functional NFL starter, but it might require some patience.”

— Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Network

“You know, 365 days ago, I was in just a really dark place. And I was trying to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It was a really difficult thing. There was just a lot going on, mentally, physically, emotionally, to be able to battle and fight through the roller-coaster that life is. I really couldn't have done it without all these people around me. This university truly saved me and helped me rebuild into the man that I am today.”

— Carson Beck

“In this draft, the great mystery, of course, is we know Fernando Mendoza's going to go quarterback No. 1. Ty Simpson from Alabama, he's well-positioned to be quarterback No. 2. Who is going to be quarterback No. 3, and how high will that player be drafted? Could it be somewhere on Day 2? Might he have to wait until Day 3? (Senior Bowl week), for guys like Garrett Nussmeier, is going to influence that race for that third quarterback taken.”

— Field Yates, ESPN

What’s next

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The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.