Jordan ReidJan 24, 2026, 06:00 AM ETCloseJordan Reid is an NFL draft analyst for ESPN, providing in-depth scouting on the nation’s top pro prospects. Jordan joined ESPN in 2021 and also contributes to SportsCenter and ESPN Radio. He played quarterback at North Carolina Central University and then went on to coach there from 2014-18.Follow on X
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Mel Kiper Jr.: Fernando Mendoza a lock for me at No. 1 overall (1:07)Mel Kiper Jr. joins “Get Up” and breaks down why the Raiders would benefit from drafting Fernando Mendoza as the No. 1 pick. (1:07)
Mel Kiper Jr. examines whether Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson is a first-round pick after he declared for the draft.
Cole Payton throws 78-yard touchdown pass vs. Illinois StateCole Payton connects for 78-yard TD pass
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.
Where he needs work: While Mendoza is comfortable within the confines of the pocket, he struggles when forced off his original launch point. When required to move, Mendoza had a 53.2% completion percentage this season. Many of his inaccurate throws this season came when moved off his original launch point, flushed outside the pocket or forced into scramble situations. When facing true pressure, his completion percentage dropped to 50%.
Mendoza has separated himself as the top passer in this year’s class, but one thing at the next level which will be relatively new is operating from under center. He played out of the shotgun almost exclusively this season, taking only 3% of his snaps under center. Working under center is important in the NFL, as it keeps defenses honest and helps further the influence of play-action on defenders, so Mendoza will have to work on those mechanics.
Height: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 208 pounds Class: Redshirt junior | Projected range: Late Round 1-Early Day 2
There isn’t a throw that Simpson feels that he’s incapable of making, as his toughness and confidence have shined in spurts this season. The son of longtime UT-Martin head coach Jason Simpson, Ty’s football smarts and awareness are easy to see. Simpson was given a lot of pre-snap autonomy and was frequently seen altering protections and plays. His recognition of defenses is well beyond a typical QB prospect with 15 career starts.
Simpson’s pocket maneuverability is among the best of any passer in this year’s class. He is also an underrated athlete who can make things happen outside of structure. Of his 30 total touchdowns this season (28 passing, two rushing), seven came when Simpson was outside of the pocket. He’s savvy with recognizing and adjusting to pre-snap looks.
“I wouldn’t draft him until Day 2, but I think he has a chance to go in that 20-32 range,” an AFC area scout said. “It’s because the demand will highly outweigh the quality of supply in this year’s class.”
Where he needs work: Simpson sometimes doesn’t recognize when a play is over. He tends to hold the ball longer than necessary and run around in circles in the pocket while trying to extend plays that are clearly busted. Therefore, he loses yardage with negative plays that could have been avoided by checking down, running or tossing the ball out of bounds.
Simpson’s accuracy suffered down the stretch, resulting in an 11.2% off-target percentage that ranked 63rd in the FBS. And downfield passing is another area that scouts have repeatedly brought up as an area of concern, as Simpson completed only 37.3% of his passes of 20 or more air yards in 2025.
And despite his background, Simpson’s lack of starts is a concern. Many scouts remain cautious due to that small sample size.
Where he needs work: Considering that 2025 was his first and only season at the Division I level, there’s still a lot of projection. There were moments when he attempted plays that worked in Division II but were a struggle against SEC competition. Chambliss also tended to pass up safe, easy underneath options in the hunt for a big gain. Understanding that he doesn’t have to go for explosive plays every time is the next step in his development.
The Ole Miss passing scheme doesn’t translate well to the NFL, with half-field reads and free-access throws making up a bulk of the Rebels’ passing concepts. Chambliss will have to be able to get through progressions that involve multiple steps and eliminate early options based on coverages at the next level. He must show more comfort with those types of reads.
The X factor: Chambliss is currently seeking an injunction to allow for a sixth year of eligibility. His waiver petitioning for that extra year has already been denied by the NCAA, and he has filed a suit in Mississippi in an attempt to play for the Rebels in 2026. We will consider him part of the 2026 class until the situation is resolved.
Height: 6-foot-1 | Weight: 205 pounds Class: Redshirt senior | Projected range: Late Day 2-Early Day 3
Where he needs work: Nussmeier was reduced to attacking primarily the short area of the field this season due to LSU’s scheme of quick-hitters and frequent screen passes. While he does get to unleash the occasional go ball, he averaged only 6.4 air yards per target (130th in the FBS). LSU’s running game being ranked 126th in the FBS didn’t help matters, either.
He also has a propensity to be a daredevil with the ball, which can be a gift and a curse. Nussmeier has sporadic moments of carelessness because of his confidence in being able to anticipate. Many evaluators feel that Nussmeier has the profile of a middle-to-late round prospect who has the talent, awareness and mentality to stay in the league for more than a decade as a backup and eventually develop into a spot starter.
Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 220 pounds Class: Sixth-year senior | Projected range: Late Day 2-Early Day 3
Where he excels: Once regarded as a candidate for the No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft, Beck’s inconsistencies resulted in him entering the transfer portal after a disappointing final season at Georgia. But Beck started to revive his draft stock at Miami. A rhythmic passer who is at his best when allowed to play on-beat, he finished with 3,813 passing yards, 30 touchdowns and 12 interceptions this season.
Beck was helped by a more consistent and improved receiving structure around him and looked more like what he showed in 2023 versus 2024. He is a balanced pocket passer who wants to methodically dissect and deliver against defenses. His game is centered around accuracy and decisiveness, so he wastes little time getting the ball out and remains synchronized with progressions. His 74.8% adjusted completion percentage this season was the eighth-highest mark among all FBS passers.
Even though his season ended on a disappointing note with a game-ending interception against Indiana in the National Championship game, the chemistry between Miami’s protection, playmakers and Beck formed the perfect marriage. Because of that, many scouts view Beck as a middle round option.
Where he needs work: Teams that have been able to consistently generate early pressure against Beck have been able to knock him off his game. Beck’s off-target percentage when his feet are planted (9.7%) this season was significantly different than when he’s forced to move (21.4%) from his original launch point.
Beck needs to be drafted by a team where he’s the final piece of the puzzle rather than one that lacks surrounding playmakers; he’s more reliant on good infrastructure than most QBs. The Miami offensive line was key, as Beck’s 17.1% pressure rate faced was the lowest in the FBS. He got an average of 2.9 seconds to throw the ball. Beck was able to play within the confines of the offense while not being forced to make plays outside of the scheme. But can he hold up when conditions are less ideal?
Where he excels: Allar has prototypical size and arm strength. He also has plenty of experience, having started 35 games and played in 45 overall. He made a noticeable leap from his sophomore to junior season, increasing his completion percentage from 59.9% in 2023 to 66.5% in 2024. Upon announcing his return to school, Allar was immediately expected to be one of the best QBs in this class.
Where he needs work: Allar’s accuracy regressed, as his 12.5% off-target percentage ranked 94th in the FBS, and Allar has moments where he puts the ball too high or low. He tends to make receivers work harder than they should to secure catches.
“The biggest issue is that he looks good against the low- and middle-tier teams, but he just hasn’t had that signature performance any time that he plays against the elite ones,” an AFC assistant general manager said.
In a traits-based league, I believe that there will be a team that convinces itself to draft Allar early because of his physical attributes and a belief it can reconstruct his lower half to improve his ball placement. Allar will need to be in a true under-center, dropback offense that attacks the intermediate and deeper portions of the field.
He has shown the ability to make explosive plays with both his arm (14 completions of 20-plus air yards) and his legs. He will likely be a popular middle-round target for teams looking to develop a toolsy passer with upside.
Where he needs work: Green’s warts were noticeable as the season went on, most notably the time he takes to pass the ball. His 3.13-second average time to throw ranked 134th out of 138 quarterbacks in the FBS, and his indecisiveness in the short-to-intermediate areas was a big reason.