The highly anticipated 2026 draft class is almost upon us, and unfortunately, the buzz on these quarterbacks is even worse than it was last year. Once again, I’ve conducted a thorough analysis into the top prospects, presenting my rankings of the top 10 quarterbacks and determining which ones I believe are draft-worthy. Unlike last year, there is a huge gap between number one and the rest of the contenders.
The Jury is still out on the results that I had from last year in ranking Shedeur Sanders number one ahead of Cam Ward and Jaxon Dart, but 2026 will tell us more where these three actually shape up. Here is some quick analysis of my top 10.
1. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana: HT: 6-foot-5 | WT: 236 pounds | 40YD: 4.7
This is quite easy as Fernando would have been number one last year as well. His clutch playing was amazing as he refused to lose big games at Penn State, at Oregon, and all throughout the playoffs. His college 2025 QBR ranks third in the nation, and quite possibly would have been higher had Indiana been in more games other than blowouts.
2. Carson Beck, Miami: HT: 6-foot-5 | WT: 233 pounds | 40YD: 4.84
The step down from Fernando to Carson Beck is so large, that I only have a 4th round grade on this guy. I will say though that even though Carson played with the best talent in the game, he did what he had to do to win some pretty big games. A 72% completion percentage with a 30/12 TD to interception ratio was just fine at Miami.
3. Taylen Green, Arkansas: HT: 6-foot-6 | WT: 227 pounds | 40YD: 4.36
Sleeper Alert:
If you want a pure athlete that could have the upside of a Lamar Jackson, look no farther than Taylen green. His size and speed itself gives him a good enough shot as much as almost anybody in this year’s draft class. His poor 60% completion percentage and 19/11 TD to Int ratio has held him back, but in fairness, he was on a garbage team in the SEC.
Best Bet: Jeremiyah Love to be selected 3rd +380 – 1 star
4. Sawyer Robertson, Baylor: HT: 6-foot-4 | WT: 216 pounds | 40YD: 4.64
Pick number four starts where I would not draft any of these prospects, but I will say that Sawyer also didn’t have a good team at Baylor, and he at least ranked top 7 in passing yards. He is tall and can scramble quite well.
5. Ty Simpson, Alabama: HT: 6-foot-1 | WT: 211 pounds | 40YD: 4.80
Bust Alert
Short, light, and slow is what I look for in a quarterback who limped into the playoffs with some of the best talent in college football. Ranking 21st in QBR does Simpson no favors. I do not know how draft guys can talk about him like he is an NFL player, much less a 1st or 2nd round pick. The speculation is crazy to me.
6. Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt: HT: 5-foot-10 | WT: 207 pounds | 40YD: 4.83
Sleeper Alert
I mean, he wins…. Google him. Maybe short, but he is tough as he is rarely injured. If there is a true sleeper in this draft, it might be him, but he also might be on the wrong side of 40. His family is a bit nuts and a distraction, but Diego reminds me a lot of Doug Flutie.
7. Cade Klubnik, Clemson: HT: 6-foot-2 | WT: 207 pounds | 40YD: 4.69
Cade wasn’t even in the top 50 in quarterback QBR. The good news is that he can take a hit, as has played his entire college career mainly without injury.
8. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU: HT: 6-foot-2 | WT: 203 pounds | 40YD: 4.82
Garrett was ranked 30th in QBR, but when he got injured, I feel that backup quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. was even better than he was.
9. Jalon Daniels, Kansas: HT: 6-foot-1 | WT: 219 pounds | 40YD: 4.65
A college career hampered with injuries has slowed this kid down some. I do remember seeing flashes in that great Lance Leipold offense that made me think that this kid had a shot.
10. Cole Payton, North Dakota State: HT: 6-foot-3 | WT: 232 pounds | 40YD: 4.56
Tall, big, and fast are great combinations for a quarterback at the next level. The problem with Cole is that he played at the lower level FCS at North Dakota State. I will say that he was a beast there, and his skills could translate to the NFL.
