2026 NFL Draft prospect rankings: Quarterbacks

theScore's NFL draft prospect rankings series gives you everything you need to know about the top players available in this year's incoming rookie class.

Mendoza is the clear top quarterback in this class. It's fair to be concerned about his ceiling, as the Indiana product doesn't have the off-script playmaking traits that might put him in the Caleb Williams tier of franchise-changing prospects. However, he's got more than enough arm to make any throw on the field, and he's a better athlete than you might think. Accuracy is Mendoza's superpower operating from the pocket. He can place the ball wherever he wants at every level and has the touch to layer throws over top of underneath defenders. He also has a supreme feel for back-shoulder balls in one-on-one situations down the sideline. With an ability to work on time and play with anticipation, defensive backs often don't have an opportunity to break on routes.

There aren't many examples of him working deep into progressions before pulling the ball down, so there's some projection required in that all-important area. Considering his level of pre-snap processing, I think an NFL offense with more built-in answers for pressure will mitigate any concerns about his sack numbers. And while much of Indiana's system was built on run-pass options, there are plenty of instances of Mendoza ripping pro-level throws downfield. A play-action-heavy system that emphasizes the vertical attack could unlock an even better version of the Heisman Trophy winner.

Simpson probably could have used another year in school. He showed flashes of being a first-round prospect early in his lone season as a starter, combining solid arm talent and athleticism with an ability to work through progressions and navigate the pocket. But it ultimately amounted to an extraordinarily small sample of high-level production, as the Alabama product's play fell off toward the end of the season. Simpson reportedly dealt with injuries during that stretch, which may explain his struggles. Still, the point remains - his next team is effectively taking a swing on a quarterback based on a handful of promising games.

Simpson offers upside if a team can give him the necessary time to develop. His ability to work the middle of the field in rhythm and make plays outside the pocket will be particularly appealing for offenses on the Shanahan tree. However, he'll have to improve his accuracy and decision-making under pressure to become a mid-level starter in the NFL. There are just too many wild misses to justify first-round draft capital here. Ultimately, Simpson should be viewed as a Day 2 prospect with starting potential in a year or two.

Nussmeier was once considered a potential headliner of the 2026 class. But after a rough senior season culminated in back-to-back benchings, he's more of a mid-round lottery ticket. He certainly still has upside, as the LSU product has demonstrated several traits that teams look for in quarterback prospects. The natural arm talent was a big selling point before last year's struggles with an abdominal injury. Nussmeier can make every throw on the field, and he's no stranger to highlight-reel plays when forced to work off-platform. He also plays with good anticipation and shows an ability to buy time within the pocket, reset, and deliver downfield.

It all sounds like the profile of a potential starter at the next level, and that outcome is still on the table. But Nussmeier's drop off last year was a reminder of the narrow margin for error with a gunslinger like this. The highs have to be consistent if they're to compensate for the lows that come with his aggressive, borderline reckless style. Nussmeier has a chance to be a steal if he can cut down on the turnover issues in the NFL. Otherwise, he likely settles in as a high-variance backup.

Beck should have fans among personnel evaluators who subscribe to the Bill Parcells rules of drafting quarterbacks. He's got more meaningful reps than any other passer in this class, winning 37 of 43 starts for title contenders across the last three seasons. Beck finished his college career having completed nearly 70% of his passes with 88 touchdowns to 32 interceptions. That extensive experience shows up in his ability to work through progressions and operate on time from the pocket.

Beck has low-level starter upside if paired with a team that runs a quick-hit passing game designed to get the ball out of his hands quickly and minimize his exposure to pressure. However, he struggled to push the ball downfield with any consistency after the elbow injury that ended his 2024 season. Barring a significant bounce back in that regard, Beck likely profiles as a long-term backup.

Green is one of the most athletic quarterback prospects in NFL history, and his next team would be wise to explore whether he has a chance of sticking at the position. He certainly has some things working in his favor. Green's got ideal size, modern offenses are better equipped than ever to maximize his running ability, and he has the arm to push the ball downfield. And unlike many other prospects making the jump from college, he has experience with full-field progressions.

But Green will have to work through those reads more efficiently and make better decisions as a passer. He also needs to improve his accuracy, and his elongated release makes better timing even more imperative. Green could be a dynamic playmaker if it all clicks with a few years of development. If not, his rare physical skills could still offer him an opportunity to carve out a career at tight end.

Is Allar one of the six best quarterbacks in this class right now? Probably not. But draft picks are made with the future in mind. If you're a team that's confident in developing players at this position, then Allar's physical traits should be more than enough to pique your interest. The Penn State product is a prototypical quarterback prospect in terms of size, arm strength, and athletic ability. He showed flashes of the upside during his time in Happy Valley, including on a run to the CFP semifinal in 2024.

The hope was that he'd put it all together this past season as a senior and emerge as a first-rounder in this quarterback class. It didn't quite work out that way, as he got off to a slow start in 2025 before suffering a season-ending broken ankle in October. As a result, Allar is a Day 3 lottery ticket. He'll likely need to follow the long-winded Jordan Love development path if he's going to work through his struggles with accuracy and processing. Those efforts may have to start with a ground-up overhaul of his mechanics - a long shot, to be sure. Still, you can't teach these kinds of physical skills. The mere chance that he taps into his upside makes him worth a swing later in the draft.

Though Klubnik not taking the next step in his development last season is a big reason this quarterback class is as thin as it is, the Clemson product still has some upside. He has decent arm talent, excellent touch and accuracy when working in rhythm, and has shown the ability to navigate the pocket well at times. Klubnik is also a good athlete who can make plays in the scramble drill or on designed quarterback runs.

However, Klubnik will have to improve his post-snap processing to operate on time and work deeper into progressions. Until he finds a way to prevent his accuracy and decision-making from falling off a cliff under pressure, he'd likely require an extremely quarterback-friendly environment. Some teams will be eager to see if NFL coaching can help the former five-star recruit return to the path he was on before a disappointing senior season. Klubnik is worth a shot on Day 3.

Payton is a fascinating dual-threat prospect. Producing 31 touchdowns on the ground, his rushing ability has long been a key part of North Dakota State's offense. Though with just one year of starting experience, far more projection is required in the passing department. His left-handed delivery is a little too elongated, and there are times when it seems like he doesn't trust his eyes enough to let it rip in rhythm. Developing better timing will be imperative if he's to make the difficult transition from FCS football to the NFL.

There are reasons for optimism, though. Payton is poised under pressure, showing an ability to climb the pocket and reset before making a throw. He's also demonstrated solid accuracy and ball placement to all three levels of the field. The team that drafts him will have to be patient, but Payton could take on a Taysom Hill role while continuing to develop as a passer. In a quarterback class filled with question marks, this is absolutely a swing worth taking in the late rounds.

Dan Wilkins is theScore's senior NFL writer.