Top 8 QBs with draft-worthy grades ahead of 2026 NFL Scouting Combine

The top of the class is carved in granite, but after the top dog, there are a lot of question marks.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine kicks off next week in Indianapolis. Quarterbacks are always a focus of attention at the annual scouting extravaganza, and this year will be no exception. Entering the Combine, the author has draftable grades on eight quarterbacks, with Indiana's Fernando Mendoza being the only prospect who grades as a first-round talent.

Why it matters

The quarterback position is always a key focus at the NFL Scouting Combine, as teams look to identify potential franchise players. This year's class features a clear top prospect in Fernando Mendoza, but the depth and quality of the other QB prospects is uncertain, creating intrigue and speculation ahead of the draft.

The details

The top eight quarterbacks with draft-worthy grades ahead of the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine are: 1) Fernando Mendoza (Indiana), 2) Ty Simpson (Alabama), 3) Cade Klubnik (Clemson), 4) Garrett Nussmeier (LSU), 5) Drew Allar (Penn State), 6) Luke Altmeyer (Illinois), 7) Sawyer Robertson (Baylor), and 8) Carson Beck (Miami). Each prospect has their own strengths and weaknesses, with Mendoza being the clear top choice and several others having potential to be selected on Day 2 of the draft.

  • The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine kicks off next week in Indianapolis.

The players

Fernando Mendoza

The quarterback from Indiana is the universal projection to be the No. 1 overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders. Mendoza is blessed with several outstanding traits that the NFL covets in a quarterback, including accuracy, poise, leadership, toughness, and panache.

Ty Simpson

The Alabama quarterback is a one-year starter with limited experience, but he wins with timing and placement on anticipatory throws. He's a decent athlete with real upside as a passer, but a lot of bad habits and youthful mistakes pockmark his prospect profile.

Cade Klubnik

The Clemson quarterback entered the 2025 college season regarded as a potential No. 1 overall pick, but neither he nor Clemson had a great year. A good athlete with a big arm, the 6-foot-2 Klubnik possesses easy, natural mechanics and best-in-class play-action fakes.

Garrett Nussmeier

The LSU quarterback had a strong 2024 in his first year as a starter, but he fell flat in 2025. An oblique injury that clearly impacted his arm strength played a role, but the undersized (6-1, 205) Nussmeier also struggled with discretion, making some ponderous decisions with the ball.

Drew Allar

The Penn State quarterback looks the part of the old-school, strong-armed pocket passer. At 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, Allar offers great arm strength and the willingness to attack all over the field, but he struggled with unforced accuracy issues and rushed decisions under pressure.

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The takeaway

This year's NFL quarterback draft class features a clear top prospect in Fernando Mendoza, but the depth and quality of the other QB prospects is uncertain, creating intrigue and speculation ahead of the draft. Teams will be closely evaluating these eight quarterbacks at the Scouting Combine as they look to identify potential franchise players.