ESPN Shakes Up 2026 NFL Draft QB Rankings

Indiana's Fernando Mendoza leads a deep class of signal-callers

Apr. 5, 2026 at 5:41pm

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With the 2026 NFL Draft approaching, ESPN has released an updated ranking of the top 12 quarterback prospects. Indiana's Fernando Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner who led the Hoosiers to a national championship, tops the list. Alabama's Ty Simpson, LSU's Walker Nussmeier, and Miami's Tyler Beck round out the top 4. The rankings also include Penn State's Drew Allar, Arkansas' KJ Green, and several other intriguing QB prospects expected to be selected in the middle to late rounds.

Why it matters

The quarterback position is always a focal point of the NFL Draft, and this year's class appears to be particularly deep and talented. How these top prospects are evaluated and ultimately selected could have major implications for several NFL franchises looking to find their next franchise QB.

The details

Fernando Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner from Indiana, is widely expected to be the first QB taken in the 2026 draft after leading the Hoosiers to a 16-0 season and national championship. He threw for 41 touchdowns against just 6 interceptions. Alabama's Ty Simpson is ranked second, though there is a wide range of where he could be selected, potentially going as high as the top 10 or sliding into the second round. LSU's Walker Nussmeier, who had an injury-plagued 2025 season, is ranked third, with Miami's Tyler Beck and Penn State's Drew Allar rounding out the top 5.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April.
  • Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy in 2025.

The players

Fernando Mendoza

The Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from Indiana who led the Hoosiers to a national championship in 2025.

Ty Simpson

The Alabama quarterback who is considered the second-best QB prospect in the 2026 draft class.

Walker Nussmeier

The LSU quarterback who had an injury-plagued 2025 season but showed flashes of potential in 2024.

Tyler Beck

The Miami quarterback who is known for his strong arm but also for being turnover-prone.

Drew Allar

The former Penn State quarterback who has the physical tools but missed time in 2025 due to injury.

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What’s next

The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in April, where these top quarterback prospects will learn their professional fates.

The takeaway

This year's quarterback class is loaded with talent, headlined by Indiana's Fernando Mendoza. While the top of the class is clear, there is a lot of uncertainty around how the rest of the QBs will be evaluated and selected, which could have major implications for several NFL teams in need of a franchise signal-caller.