NFL · 9 hours ago

2026 NFL Draft: 10 Quarterbacks Shaping The Pro Prospect Board

Grant White

Host · Writer

The Best of the Rest
These are our Top 10 Quarterback prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft!
1. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
2. Ty Simpson, Alabama
3. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
4. Carson Beck, Miami (FL)
5. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss (Granted a 6th year of college eligibility)
6. Drew Allar, Penn State
7. Taylen Green, Arkansas
8. Sawyer Robertson, Baylor
9. Cade Klubnik, Clemson
10. Cole Payton, North Dakota State
And, the best of the rest (sorted alphabetically). While some have mentioned they are staying in college, a lot can change between now and selection day.

Luke Altmyer
Hank Brown
Zach Calzada
Jalon Daniels
Kyle Drones
Joe Fagnano
Kevin Jennings
Haynes King
Miller Moss
Diego Pavia
Drew Pin
Kaiden Salter
Blake Shapen
Jeff Sims
Matt Sluka
Gunner Stockton
Preston Stone
Tyler Van Dyke
Connor Weigman
NFL Quarterback Rankings
The NFL season is behind us, meaning the draft and free agency will take center stage over the coming months.

As usual, SportsGrid is running through our pre-combine player rankings, starting with the most important position on the field.

There aren't a ton of quarterback-needy teams. Still, a deep draft class and some intriguing prospects could force some teams into bringing in a young up-and-comer to elevate their quarterback rooms.

These are our top quarterback prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft!
1. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
2. Ty Simpson, Alabama
3. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
4. Carson Beck, Miami (FL)
5. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss (Granted a 6th season of college eligibility)
6. Cade Klubnik, Clemson
7. Drew Allar, Penn State
8. Sawyer Robertson, Baylor
9. Taylen Green, Arkansas
10. Cole Payton, North Dakota State
1. Fernando Mendoza
Fernando Mendoza NFL Draft Profile
- College: Indiana
- Class: RS-Junior
- Hometown: Miami, FL
- Height: 6'5"
- Weight: 225
Like several high-profile quarterbacks in recent years, Fernando Mendoza went from a relative unknown to the top of the NFL Draft board. The redshirt junior led his Indiana Hoosiers to a perfect season, capping off his achievements with a Heisman Trophy and the National Championship. Assuredly, Mendoza's name will be the first one called in Pittsburgh.
2. Ty Simpson
Ty Simpson NFL Draft Profile
- College: Alabama
- Class: RS-Junior
- Hometown: Martin, TN
- Height: 6'2"
- Weight: 208
Ty Simpson isn't the most glamorous prospect in this year's class, but he does have one of the most intriguing profiles. He's a pocket quarterback with above-average arm strength and elite accuracy. Simpson makes astute reads and can get out and make things happen when the pocket collapses. We're betting he's snatched up in the first round.
3. Garrett Nussmeier
Garrett Nussmeier NFL Draft Profile
- College: LSU
- Class: RS-Senior
- Hometown: Lake Charles, LA
- Height: 6'1"
- Weight: 205
If teams are willing to look past Garrett Nussmeier's sub-optimal senior season, they'll find a treasure trove of talent and film. The LSU product was a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2024 after throwing for over 4,000 yards and 29 touchdowns. Any team that takes a chance on him in Round 2 or 3 will be rewarded with an NFL-caliber quarterback hungry to climb the ranks.
4. Carson Beck
Carson Beck NFL Draft Profile
- College: Miami (FL)
- Class: Sixth-Year Senior
- Hometown: Jacksonville, FL
- Height: 6'4"
- Weight: 220
Carson Beck isn't getting the NFL hype he deserves. The sixth-year senior won at every stop and has the prototypical quarterback build. There's an argument to be made that he would have gone early in the 2025 NFL Draft, and we're betting he doesn't slip past the end of Round 3 before finding his new landing spot.
5. Trinidad Chambliss
Trinidad Chambliss NFL Draft Profile
- College: Ole Miss
- Class: RS-Senior
- Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI
- Height: 6'1"
- Weight: 200
Another rising quarterback, Trinidad Chambliss, has shot up everyone's draft boards. In his only season of FBS football, Chambliss threw for nearly 4,000 yards while leading Ole Miss to the CFP Semifinals. He needs to show that last season wasn't an anomaly, and several teams will likely have Chambliss ahead of Nussmeier, Beck, and maybe even Simpson.

*Chambliss was granted a sixth year of college eligibility.
6. Drew Allar
Drew Allar NFL Draft Profile
- College: Penn State
- Class: Senior
- Hometown: Medina, OH
- Height: 6'5"
- Weight: 235
On physical stature alone, many teams will be lining up Drew Allar for pre-draft interviews. However, there will be many questions about his dampened results. Allar struggled in 2025, showing signs of inaccuracy and being overwhelmed by mediocre defenses. If he proves that he's willing to learn and adapt at the NFL level, he could be one of the premier dark horses in the draft.
7. Taylen Green
Taylen Green NFL Draft Profile
- College: Arkansas
- Class: Fifth-Year Senior
- Hometown: Lewisville, TX
- Height: 6'6"
- Weight: 224
Whichever team drafts Taylen Green is getting the premier dual-threat quarterback available. The 6'6" monster has shown that he's capable of throwing into tight windows, but also using his athletic frame to escape pressure and get out for extended runs. Don't be surprised if a team moves up in the middle rounds to nab Green.
8. Sawyer Robertson
Sawyer Robertson NFL Draft Profile
- College: Baylor
- Class: RS-Senior
- Hometown: Lubbock, TX
- Height: 6'4"
- Weight: 220
Sawyer Robertson has spent the past two seasons orchestrating the Baylor Bears' offense, and there are plenty of highlights. The Texas native threw for over 3,000 yards in each season, tallying 31 touchdown passes as a senior. Despite his passing prowess, accuracy has been an issue at times, and he can get a little reckless, as evidenced by his 12 interceptions in 2025.
9. Cade Klubnik
Cade Klubnik NFL Draft Profile
- College: Clemson
- Class: Senior
- Hometown: Austin, TX
- Height: 6'2"
- Weight: 210
Cade Klubnik's stock fell in 2025. The Texas native was coming off his best collegiate campaign, but failed to reach the lofty heights he set as a junior. There's still a lot to like about Klubnik, but if he couldn't steady the Clemson ship, what chance does he have of being an impact player in the NFL?
10. Cole Payton
Cole Payton NFL Draft Profile
- College: North Dakota State
- Class: Senior
- Hometown: Omaha, NE
- Height: 6'3"
- Weight: 233
Virtually every year, we have to talk about the latest passing prodigy to come out of North Dakota State. This year, that distinction belongs to Cole Payton. The left-handed quarterback was a revelation, throwing for over 3,000 yards while adding 13 rushing touchdowns. His profile sounds eerily similar to that of some of his predecessors, and some teams will be willing to bet he can deliver similar results in the NFL.
The Best of the Rest
These are our Top 10 Quarterback prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft!
1. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
2. Ty Simpson, Alabama
3. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
4. Carson Beck, Miami (FL)
5. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss (Granted a 6th year of college eligibility)
6. Drew Allar, Penn State
7. Taylen Green, Arkansas
8. Sawyer Robertson, Baylor
9. Cade Klubnik, Clemson
10. Cole Payton, North Dakota State
And, the best of the rest (sorted alphabetically). While some have mentioned they are staying in college, a lot can change between now and selection day.

Luke Altmyer
Hank Brown
Zach Calzada
Jalon Daniels
Kyle Drones
Joe Fagnano
Kevin Jennings
Haynes King
Miller Moss
Diego Pavia
Drew Pin
Kaiden Salter
Blake Shapen
Jeff Sims
Matt Sluka
Gunner Stockton
Preston Stone
Tyler Van Dyke
Connor Weigman
NFL Quarterback Rankings
The NFL season is behind us, meaning the draft and free agency will take center stage over the coming months.

As usual, SportsGrid is running through our pre-combine player rankings, starting with the most important position on the field.

There aren't a ton of quarterback-needy teams. Still, a deep draft class and some intriguing prospects could force some teams into bringing in a young up-and-comer to elevate their quarterback rooms.

These are our top quarterback prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft!
1. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
2. Ty Simpson, Alabama
3. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
4. Carson Beck, Miami (FL)
5. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss (Granted a 6th season of college eligibility)
6. Cade Klubnik, Clemson
7. Drew Allar, Penn State
8. Sawyer Robertson, Baylor
9. Taylen Green, Arkansas
10. Cole Payton, North Dakota State