Fernando Mendoza is expected to go No. 1 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2026 NFL Draft, which runs April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
That leaves Ty Simpson as the big question mark among quarterbacks heading into draft weekend.
Simpson will likely be either a late first-round pick or Day 2 selection. Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer projects 12 quarterbacks will be selected in SN’s latest seven-round mock draft. A total of 13 quarterbacks were taken in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The 2027 NFL Draft will be loaded with first-round quarterback talent. That class includes Arch Manning, Julian Sayin, Dante Moore and Trinidad Chambliss.
Where does that leave this year’s class? We also have projected spots for 12 quarterbacks, including Miami’s Carson Beck and Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia, the Heisman runner-up.
Here’s a look at our projected landing spots for those quarterbacks:
QB-only Mock Draft 2026
First round
Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, Indiana (No. 1 overall)
Mendoza (6-5, 236) is the clear No. 1 pick for the Las Vegas Raiders. He’ll be paired with veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins. Mendoza’s season with the Hoosiers included 3,535 passing yards, 41 TDs and six interceptions.
He also had a 72% completion percentage and showed good touch in both the deep and intermediate passing game.
Mendoza throws the back-shoulder fade really well. He has the tools to be a franchise quarterback with a young offensive core that includes running back Ashton Jeanty and tight end Brock Bowers.
Second round
Arizona Cardinals: Ty Simpson, Alabama (No. 34)
Simpson (6-1, 211 pounds) could be a late first-round pick. He’s coming off a strong performance at the NFL Scouting Combine. He’s drawn comparisons to former Alabama quarterback Mac Jones, who was a first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft but needed time to develop in the NFL.
The same is true here.
Simpson had 3,567 yards, 28 TDs and five interceptions in his lone season as the Crimson Tide’s starter. He struggled with accuracy at times in the second half of the season. Jacoby Brissett is the Cardinals’ projected starting quarterback, so Simpson could be an ideal second-round value pick for first-year coach Mike LaFleur.
Third round
Los Angeles Rams: Garrett Nussmeier, LSU (No. 93)
Nussmeier (6-2, 203) has been linked to the Rams throughout the draft process as a potential successor for Matthew Stafford. Stafford won the AP NFL MVP award last season. Nussmeier played through injuries in 2025 at LSU, but he’s an accurate passer who totaled 41 TDs and 17 interceptions as a two-year starter for the Tigers.
He threw 10 interceptions on passes between 10-19 yards the last two years, according to Pro Football Focus. That will need significant improvement at the next level.
Still, the chance to learn under coach Sean McVay behind Stafford is worth a Day 2 investment.
Miami Dolphins: Carson Beck, Miami (No. 94)
Beck (6-5, 233 pounds) could stay close to home as a developmental prospect for first-year coach Jeff Hafley in Miami. Beck led the Miami Hurricanes to the CFP championship game. He’s a mix of high-level accuracy (72.4%) and turnovers (12 interceptions each of the last two seasons).
Denver is also a popular projected landing spot. But we could see the Dolphins spending one of their four third-round draft picks on a quarterback to challenge Quinn Ewers and Cam Miller for backup duties.
Fourth round
New York Jets: Cole Payton, North Dakota State (No. 103)
Payton (6-3, 232) is the pick for the Jets if they pass on Simpson. Payton finished with 2,719 yards, 16 TDs and four interceptions for the Bison in the FCS last season.
Payton has good size and added 777 rushing yards and 13 TDs.
He has a unique skillset. North Dakota State has produced a line of NFL QBs that includes Carson Wentz, Trey Lance and Easton Stick. Payton could catch on as a backup for Geno Smith. The Jets can wait on a franchise quarterback for 2026.
Cleveland Browns: Drew Allar, Penn State (No. 107)
Allar (6-5, 232) suffered a broken ankle last season. That ended a four-year career at Penn State where he totaled 61 TDs and 13 interceptions. Allar threw the deep ball well at Penn State when given the opportunities.
According to PFF, Allar was 27 of 56 – a 48.2% completion percentage – with 15 TDs and two interceptions on passes of 20 yards or more the last two seasons.
He can stretch the field but needs to be more accurate in the intermediate range. The Browns have three QBs on the roster with Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson and Dillon Gabriel. But when has that ever stopped this franchise?
Klubnik (6-2, 207) is an ideal fit for the Buccaneers as a developmental option. Klubnik had 10,123 yards, 73 TDS and 24 interceptions in an up-and-down four-year career with Clemson.
He was a five-star recruit in college.
He had 25 TDs and six interceptions on passes of 25 yards or more the last two seasons. It might be enough to push into Day 2, but Klubnik has experience and could stick as a backup behind Baker Mayfield.
Fifth round
Dallas Cowboys: Taylen Green, Arkansas (No. 152)
Green (6-6, 237) put on a show at the NFL Combine with a 4.36 in the 40-yard dash and 43.5-inch vertical. He had 2,714 passing yards, 777 rushing yards and 27 total TDs with Arkansas last season.
Green had 420 total yards and two TDs in a 41-35 loss to Ole Miss last season.
Dallas owner Jerry Jones could give Sam Howell and Joe Milton III competition as the backup for Dak Prescott. Green remains one of the most intriguing Day 3 quarterback prospects.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Luke Altmyer, Illinois (No. 121)
Altmyer (6-2, 210) is a good Day 3 pick for the Steelers no matter what Aaron Rodgers decides about his future. Altmyer had a 61.1% completion percentage on passes between 10-19 yards with 14 TDs and one interception the last two seasons, according to PFF.
That value in the intermediate range without turnovers will allow him a chance to stick in the NFL.
He’d work with first-year Mike McCarthy as a backup to start this career. Pittsburgh also has Mason Rudolph and Will Howard – a sixth-round pick in 2025.
Sixth round
Pavia (5-10, 207) is one of the more polarizing QB prospects in this year’s draft. Pavia finished with 3,539 passing yards, 29 TDs and eight interceptions last season. He led the SEC with a 70.6% completion percentage.
He also had 862 rushing yards and 10 TDs.
Pavia is outspoken and plays with an edge. He had 18 TDs and three interceptions in non-play action concepts, according to PFF. Will someone take a flier on Pavia in the sixth round?
He could be a third option in Carolina behind Bryce Young and Kenny Pickett.
Seventh round
Robertson (6-4, 216) could be a seventh-round steal as a backup for Josh Allen in Buffalo. Robertson had hit 30 of 83 pass attempts (36.1%) on passes of 20 yards or more.
Robertson led the Big 12 with 3,681 passing yards and 31 TDs.
There’s upside to this pick. He also had 12 interceptions in 2025, so the decision-making would have to improve – especially in the preseason.
Morton (6-2, 221) visited the Packers and could be a free-agent pickup if he goes undrafted. The Packers have Desmond Ridder and Kyle McCord as backup options.
Morton had 49 TDs and 14 interceptions the last two seasons. He could be a long-term project.
Morton dealt with multiple injuries throughout his career with the Red Raiders. He’ll have to stay healthy to earn a roster spot.
