2026 NFL Draft: Ranking the Best QB Prospects After Fernando Mendoza

In most years, the draft pecking order at quarterback would largely be determined by now. But apart from Indiana's Fernando Mendoza at the top, this year’s class remains muddied. It reminds me of the 2010 draft in which Sam Bradford went No. 1 overall, Tim Tebow came off the board late in the first round and 10 of the 14 overall quarterbacks selected had to wait until Day 3.

Should NFL teams feel as I do — that there are only two quarterbacks who warrant top-50 consideration now that Oregon's Dante Moore elected to return to school — even more emphasis than normal might fall upon how the remaining top prospects fare in all-star games and pre-draft workouts. This week, scouts will be flocking to the two most prominent exhibitions: the East West Shrine Bowl and the Senior Bowl.

Over the past 10 NFL drafts, an average of 12 quarterbacks have been selected each year, with a low of nine in 2022 and a high of 15 a decade ago. Here’s an updated list of this year's top QB prospects — and when we expect them to be drafted.

1. Fernando Mendoza , Indiana (6-5, 225)

There was no doubt prior to the College Football Playoff National Championship that Mendoza was the top quarterback in this class, but he further cemented his position with an MVP performance, leading the Hoosiers to their first ever title.

Critics will maintain that Mendoza wasn’t dominant in the title game — and the statistics (16 of 27 for 186 yards) bear that out. But scouts won’t be evaluating just his performance against the relentless Miami pass rush on the biggest stage. They’ll take a step back to appreciate his consistent play all season long, including in calling his own number to scramble and score on the game’s most dramatic play.

Mendoza does not