2026 NFL draft QB rankings: Mendoza, Simpson, Chambliss - ESPN

The 2026 NFL draft is rapidly approaching, as it kicks off April 23 in Pittsburgh. So let's re-rank the quarterback class. Who are the best passers on the board?

Six QBs who were on the initial Hot Board are no longer here, but we did add four new names. The NFL's early-entry declaration deadline has passed, though we're still waiting to hear what will happen with Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss' eligibility status, so the class could still change. And with all-star events, the combine and pro days ahead of us, these rankings are far from final.

Let's get to it and rank the 12 best QBs in the 2026 class as of now.

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Day 2 picks | Day 3 picks

Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 225 pounds
Class: Redshirt junior | Projected range: Round 1

Where he excels: There always seems to be a quarterback who quickly surges from Day 2-3 consideration before the season into early Round 1 (see Jayden Daniels and Cam Ward). Mendoza fills that role in this class. He transferred to Indiana in the offseason after spending his first three seasons at Cal. There was plenty of buzz from scouts about Mendoza this past summer, but many wanted to take a wait-and-see approach prior to the season. He delivered, finishing with 3,535 passing yards, 41 touchdowns and only six interceptions to win the Heisman Trophy and lead the Hoosiers to their first national championship.

Attaching isolated or singular routes behind run-game concepts has been beneficial for Mendoza, who is comfortable with reads that put single defenders in conflict. He has a fiery, three-quarters throwing release, making Mendoza's mechanics and the Hoosiers' passing game an ideal marriage. His 79.2% adjusted completion percentage ranked second in the country. He was also