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EspañolIt's the most important position in professional sports: quarterback. Every year, teams look for an answer under center to push them to contention.
The Seattle Seahawks won Super Bowl 60 by upgrading the quarterback position with free agent signee Sam Darnold and selecting Jalen Milroe as another option in the 2025 NFL Draft. Milroe was one of multiple quarterbacks to perform on-field at the 2025 NFL Combine and showed off his arm talent.
This year will see another crop of young signal-callers come to Indianapolis to show off for scouts and front office members from across the league.
Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza headlines this year's class of quarterbacks in the NFL draft. Mendoza was one of the passers invited to the combine but will not participate in drills or throw during the week of activities in Indianapolis.
He's all but certain to go No. 1 overall in April. But what about the rest of the class?
There are a dozen other quarterbacks in Indianapolis for the scouting combine and a few with something to prove ahead of the Draft. Here's a look at which quarterbacks were invited to the NFL combine this year plus our top 10 rankings at the position in the class:
QBs at the 2026 NFL combine
- Drew Allar, Penn State
- Luke Altmyer, Illinois
- Carson Beck, Miami
- Jalon Daniels, Kansas
- Joe Fagnano, UConn
- Taylen Green, Arkansas
- Haynes King, Georgia Tech
- Cade Klubnik, Clemson
- Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
- Behren Morton, Texas Tech
- Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
- Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt
- Cole Payton, North Dakota State
- Sawyer Robertson, Baylor
- Ty Simpson, Alabama
2026 NFL Draft: Top 10 QBs
1. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
Scouting report: Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy in what's been an unprecedented year for the Hoosiers program. He has NFL size at 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds with a surprisingly quick release. His arm talent fits the bill but what stands out on tape from Mendoza is his post-snap processing. That football IQ gives him a high floor in the NFL even if his ceiling is capped by his good-but-not-great mobility and arm talent.
NFL comparison: Shades of Joe Burrow, Jared Goff
2. Ty Simpson, Alabama
Scouting report: Simpson looked like a potential No. 1 pick at times this season for Alabama, his first as a starter. He's shown a lot of flashes that point to a long-term starter in the NFL thanks to his pocket awareness, accuracy, timing, processing and quick release. He did struggle at times down the stretch for Alabama; four of his five interceptions came in the final six games of 2025 compared to one over his first nine. He's grown up around football - Simpson's father has been the head coach of UT-Martin since 2006.
NFL comparison: More athletic Mac Jones, Tony Romo
3. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
Scouting report: Underperformed in 2025 and dealt with a core injury for much of the season. Good football IQ and NFL bloodlines (father is New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier). When he's on, he throws with ideal anticipation and great processing with an NFL arm and plus mobility. When he's off, shows gunslinger mentality and concerns over his smaller frame. Earned Senior Bowl MVP honors with a standout performance.
NFL comparison: Gunslinging version of Andy Dalton
4. Carson Beck, Miami
Scouting report: Took a step in 2025 in Miami as a passer after relying on offensive talent at Georgia. Best in timing-based systems to maximize his anticipation and touch. When protected, goes through progressions well. Struggles when pressured from the interior and lacks elite arm strength. Accounted for too many turnovers in college.
NFL comparison: Aidan O'Connell, shades of Sam Bradford
5. Taylen Green, Arkansas
Scouting report: Arguably the best athlete at the position in this class. Strong arm allows him to access all areas of the field. Dynamic runner for his size. Thrives in run-pass option (RPO) systems that maximize his running abilities. Can make game-changing plays at will. Makes too many turnover-worthy throws and mechanics are inconsistent. Needs to improve as a pure passer to reach his ceiling.
NFL comparison: Terrelle Pryor, shades of Anthony Richardson
6. Drew Allar, Penn State
Scouting report: The size (6-foot-5, 235 pounds) and arm talent have drawn comparisons to Josh Allen. Was considered a Round 1 prospect thanks to his tools entering 2025 but underperformed before a season-ending injury. If medicals clear, he's a fascinating prospect. Shows anticipation, touch, and competitiveness to compliment his tools but mechanics can fail him at times. Awareness needs to improve to lower risky throws.
NFL comparison: Shades of Ben Roethlisberger, early-career Josh Allen
7. Cade Klubnik, Clemson
Scouting report: Good size with the athleticism to be a dual-threat quarterback in the NFL. Throws with anticipation when on-schedule in RPO or play-action concepts. Arm strength to create explosives. His 2024 tape was some of the best in the class. Decision-making leaves a lot to be desired. Inconsistency doomed his 2025 tape. Slow to process when not on schedule. Scouts will be concerned over whether they'll get the 2024 or 2025 Klubnik.
NFL comparison: Quinn Ewers, shades of Ryan Tannehill
8. Sawyer Robertson, Baylor
Scouting report: Operates with a quick release and good arm talent. One of the stronger arms in the class. Good size and can absorb contact. Stands tall against pressure in the pocket. Relied on pre-determined reads more than others in the class. Leans too much on arm talent alone and mechanics can get lazy. Can overthrow at times. Lacks touch to pair with his arm strength.
NFL comparison: Davis Mills
9. Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt
Scouting report: Size will be a concern (5-foot-10, under 200 pounds) but he plays bigger than that size. Intangibles on his side as he helped turn around the Vanderbilt football program. Good accuracy on intermediate throws and improvises well. Stands tall against pressure. Lacks elite traits and mechanics can be inconsistent. Not athletic enough to be a dual-threat NFL quarterback. Arm strength is average.
NFL comparison: Dillon Gabriel, shades of Tyrod Taylor
10. Jalon Daniels, Kansas
Scouting report: Elite athlete with a shorter (6-foot) but powerful frame at 220 pounds. A true dual-threat quarterback at the NFL level. Fires throws from multiple arm slots with a very quick release. Thrives on short throws. Accuracy in intermediate to deep throws varies greatly. Inconsistent mechanics and pocket feel. Injury history with shoulder, knee and back issues over multiple seasons. Medical evaluations may take him off the board completely for some teams.
NFL comparison: Shades of Jalen Milroe, Joe Milton III
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NFL combine: Mendoza, Simpson lead QB rankings, invitees