NFL · 1 hour ago

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Ranks the Top 10 Quarterbacks for the 2026 NFL Draft

John Canady

Host · Writer

Beyond The Top 10: Rising Stars And Draft Sleepers
While Fernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson lead the pack, the 2026 class remains volatile. Watch for late-season risers like Taylen Green and potential "Dak Prescott" sleepers like Sawyer Robertson to shake up the board during the NFL Combine.

Who did Kiper leave off? Should Heisman finalist Diego Pavia be in the top 10? How about fellow Senior Bowl participant Luke Altmyer? East-West Shrine Bowl Joe Fagnano invitee is another potential sleeper heading into April.

Do you agree with Kiper's rankings? Stay ahead of every draft move with SportsGrid's 2026 NFL Draft Coverage.
Mel Kiper Jr. Ranks The Top 10 QBs For The 2026 NFL Draft
As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, all eyes are on the quarterback position. Fortunately, ESPN’s legendary analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has released his definitive big board for the signal-callers. From record-setting Heisman winners to polarizing dual-threat projects, this list defines the future of the league.

We know Indiana's Fernando Mendoza is the undisputed No. 1 overall pick. Click through to see Kiper's full top 10 rankings.
1) Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 225

Fernando Mendoza is far and away considered the top quarterback prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft class after a huge season at Indiana. Not only did the Miami native win the 2025 Heisman award, but he led a long-struggling Hoosiers program to their first National Championship win all in the same season. Totaling 3,535 passing yards, 41 touchdowns, and only six interceptions on the season, while adding another seven touchdowns on the ground,

Mendoza is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in April.
2) Ty Simpson, Alabama
Height: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 208

Ty Simpson lands at the No. 2 spot in Mel Kiper's rankings after a strong starting campaign at Alabama this past year. The junior impressed in his lone season as a starter for the Crimson Tide after three years of waiting for his opportunity at the SEC powerhouse, where he tossed for 3,567 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and five interceptions. Despite that, many still felt that one more college season under his belt could greatly benefit the pocket passer.

Nonetheless, Simpson's reluctance to suit up for another program and potentially burnish his Alabama legacy led him to the NFL Draft, as former five-star Keelon Russell seems to be the direction head coach Kalen DeBoer is heading in for 2026.
3) Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss
Height: 6-foot-1 | Weight: 200

Trinidad Chambliss took the nation by storm this season, being one of the most talked-about stories in all of college football after assuming the starting spot for an injured Austin Simmons at the start of the season. The D2 transfer initially was viewed as a premier backup, but his success in the starting role quickly made the Rebels' offense look explosive and made it impossible to pull him from the starting lineup. Finishing the season with 3,937 yards, 22 touchdowns, and three interceptions through the air, while adding on 527 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on the ground, Chambliss has increased his draft stock significantly.

As of now, Chambliss availability in the 2026 NFL Draft remains up in the air as the QB continues to fight for an extra season of eligibility, but if he is forced to forego an additional year of college football, the rising star will be a name to monitor.
4) Drew Allar, Penn State
Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 235

Entering the 2025 season, Drew Allar was viewed as one of the top quarterback prospects to monitor regarding the 2026 NFL Draft. After two impressive seasons as the starter at Penn State in both 2023 and 2024, many felt that the six-foot-five quarterback could have entered the 2025 NFL Draft and been among the top available QBs then.

However, Allar opted to run it back for one last season with the Nittany Lions, hoping to make a National Championship run. Instead, the senior faced a trying start to the year that ultimately cost longtime head coach James Franklin his job and ended in an injury to Allar. Fortunately, his college totals of 61 passing touchdowns and 13 interceptions could bode well for his evaluation at the next level.
5) Carson Beck, Miami
Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 220

Carson Beck is another QB that many believed could have entered the 2025 NFL Draft after a pair of impressive seasons at Georgia, where he proved to be a viable starter in the Bulldogs' offense. Nonetheless, a UCL injury just before the College Football Playoffs abruptly ended his time in Athens before his decision to not only return for another season of college football, but to enter the transfer portal.

In his lone season at Miami, the experienced pocket passer posted a career year throwing for 3,813 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, while leading a Hurricanes' squad that snuck into the postseason on a cinderella run to the National Championship. Looking ahead, Beck has the chance to be a central riser with a strong showing at the NFL Combine.
6) Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
Height: 6-foot-1 | Weight: 205

When talking about players whose draft stock took a significant hit in 2025, Garrett Nussmeier immediately comes to mind. The LSU star entered 2025 with the chance to solidify himself as the top quarterback available in the 2026 NFL Draft after a strong 2024 campaign, totaling 29 passing touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

Instead, the Louisiana native was dealt with an injury-riddled season that ended early after tossing for 12 touchdowns and five interceptions, leading a struggling Tigers team backwards in comparison to where many expected them to be in 2025. Now, Nussmeier faces an uphill climb to revamp his draft stock before April's NFL Draft, which began with a strong showing at the Senior Bowl.
7) Cole Payton, North Dakota State
Cole Payton put himself on the map this past year in his lone season as the starting quarterback at North Dakota State. In his first year as the starter for the Bisons, the dual-threat quarterback impressed, totaling 29 touchdowns (16 passing, 13 rushing) and limiting himself to four turnovers.

Obviously, the last pair of notable North Dakota State quarterbacks to be selected high in the NFL Draft are Carson Wentz and Trey Lance, who both put together much better seasons in comparison to Payton. Nonetheless, in a draft class that many consider weak, the Nebraska product could be a riser.
8) Sawyer Roberston, Baylor
Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 220 lbs

Sawyer Robertson being ranked this low on Kiper's list comes as a bit of a surprise, considering his success under center at Baylor the last two seasons. In fact, after a career-year totaling 3,681 passing yards, 31 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, it wouldn't have been a shock to see the six-foot-four senior find himself in the top five of available quarterbacks.

Nonetheless, Robertson still has some heads to turn, and he'll have the opportunity to do precisely that at the NFL Combine, and who knows, maybe he could be the next Dak Prescott?
9) Cade Klubnik, Clemson
Height: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 210

You can't talk about disappointments from the 2025 season without mentioning former five-star recruit Cade Klubnik and the Clemson Tigers. Not only did Clemson take a significant step back this season after a College Football Playoff bid last year, but Klubnik, without a doubt, TANKED his draft stock.

Comparing his 2024 campaign, where he tossed 36 touchdowns and six interceptions, to his final season at Clemson, posting 16 passing touchdowns and six interceptions in total, there's no way to ignore just how much his draft stock took a hit. Klubnik has talent, but the weaknesses he put on display this past year against lackluster ACC competition will ultimately impact his rank for not just Kiper but also NFL scouts.
10) Taylen Green, Arkansas
Height: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 224

Taylen Green may be one of the most fascinating prospects to monitor in the entirety of the 2026 NFL Draft. The dual-threat QB posted a career-best season at Arkansas, combining for 27 total touchdowns (19 passing, 8 rushing) and 11 interceptions, while adding 777 rushing yards on the ground.

Green could interest several teams willing to take a swing at potential. The Texas native could be a project to develop, but for the right team, it may be a swing worth taking.
Beyond The Top 10: Rising Stars And Draft Sleepers
While Fernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson lead the pack, the 2026 class remains volatile. Watch for late-season risers like Taylen Green and potential "Dak Prescott" sleepers like Sawyer Robertson to shake up the board during the NFL Combine.

Who did Kiper leave off? Should Heisman finalist Diego Pavia be in the top 10? How about fellow Senior Bowl participant Luke Altmyer? East-West Shrine Bowl Joe Fagnano invitee is another potential sleeper heading into April.

Do you agree with Kiper's rankings? Stay ahead of every draft move with SportsGrid's 2026 NFL Draft Coverage.
Mel Kiper Jr. Ranks The Top 10 QBs For The 2026 NFL Draft
As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, all eyes are on the quarterback position. Fortunately, ESPN’s legendary analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has released his definitive big board for the signal-callers. From record-setting Heisman winners to polarizing dual-threat projects, this list defines the future of the league.

We know Indiana's Fernando Mendoza is the undisputed No. 1 overall pick. Click through to see Kiper's full top 10 rankings.