Quarterback once again commands attention near the top of the board, with three passers landing inside your top 30 — Ty Simpson (20), Fernando Mendoza (23) and Dante Moore (27) — giving this class a tighter, more competitive upper tier than last year.

At the very top, the 2026 NFL Draft class is shaped by defensive talent, particularly a good group of edge defenders and a nice crop of wide receivers and cornerbacks that occupy a significant share of the top 50.

Overall, this class blends blue-chip defensive playmakers, a deep perimeter talent pool and a more meaningful cluster of quarterbacks worthy of early consideration than last cycle.

For the full ranking of draft prospects — including three-year player grades and position rankings — click here. And if you want to go hands-on with the class, check out the PFF Big Board Builder to create your own rankings or fire up the PFF Mock Draft Simulator to run full mock drafts in seconds.

Editor’s note: The analysis included here comes from Trevor Sikkema’s preseason scouting series, while the rankings themselves have been fully updated. This analysis is provided to give readers context on how these players were viewed entering the season.

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1. Ty Simpson, Alabama Crimson Tide

Big board rank: 20

Simpson has the foundational tools of a future NFL quarterback, including mobility and escapability. However, he currently lacks live-game experience, consistency, and the ability to anticipate and process at a high level. He’s still a developmental prospect with physical upside, but he must grow mentally and mechanically to reach his potential.

2. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana Hoosiers

Big board rank: 23

Mendoza looks the part of an NFL quarterback, with above-average size and sufficient arm strength. He flashes good touch, particularly on sideline throws. He also demonstrates the patience to work through progressions, although his lower-body mechanics can break down under pressure. As of this preseason evaluation, he must improve his vision against zone coverage, a key factor in his high turnover-worthy play rate.

3. Dante Moore, Oregon Ducks

Big board rank: 27

Analysis Coming soon!

4. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU Tigers

Big board rank: 92

Nussmeier is the son of a former NFL quarterback, and it shows, even if you don’t recognize the name. He plays with confidence rooted in sound fundamentals, an understanding of defensive windows and solid zip on his throws. He’s a gunslinger, and with that comes the good and the bad. His smaller frame may be a limitation, but it’s hard not to want to give him a chance to lead an offense.

5. Jayden Maiava, USC Trojans

Big board rank: 94

Analysis Coming soon!

6. Sam Leavitt, Arizona State Sun Devils

Big board rank: 104

Leavitt is a young, inexperienced quarterback who lacks polish in his mechanics, shows late reads and throws off his back foot. However, his arm talent is undeniable. The ball explodes off his hand with NFL velocity, and he flashes high-level throws on the move. While he’s far from a finished product, his physical tools are the kind the NFL often bets on early in the draft process.

7. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina Gamecocks

Big board rank: 109

Sellers is a physically gifted quarterback with ideal size, a strong arm, and notable running ability. His raw tools alone will earn him a long developmental leash. However, he currently lacks the feel and field vision needed to operate a pro-style passing game. He struggles to read defenses, often missing zone coverage cues and failing to progress through reads. While his playmaking ability on the ground is a real asset, he’ll need significant growth in decision-making, processing and mechanics to become a viable NFL quarterback. Sellers offers high upside but remains a long-term developmental prospect.

8. John Mateer, Oklahoma Sooners

Big board rank: 111

Mateer plays with an infectious confidence both as a passer and runner. His sidearm release and pitcher-style follow-through are unconventional, but they function well enough in the short and intermediate game. He’ll need to develop better touch on deep passes and clean up his mechanics to become more consistent. Mateer’s physical profile is a concern at the NFL level, but there’s a lot of Baker Mayfield in his game — a size outlier with an edge and live arm. Time will tell if he can showcase those traits in the SEC at Oklahoma.

9. Carson Beck, Miami (FL) Hurricanes

Big board rank: 123

Beck already looks like a pro in several areas. He has NFL size, polished fundamentals and the ability to play from under center. He shows a solid understanding of defensive structure and consistently layers throws between zones with confidence. While he does have some concerning moments under pressure, that’s not uncommon. Beck has the tools to project as a potential starter — the question is whether his consistency and upside are strong enough to warrant early draft capital.

10. Cade Klubnik, Clemson Tigers

Big board rank: 127

Klubnik brings a winner’s mentality, supported by consistent success at the high school and college levels. When his mechanics are clean, he’s an easy watch. But as a pro prospect, he faces natural limitations tied to his size. His lack of height forces him to stand on his toes and shortens his follow-through, affecting his placement. He has enough arm talent, but it often requires full-body effort. If he can become more consistent fundamentally, especially on the run, he is an intriguing athletic passer.

11. Drew Allar, Penn State Nittany Lions

Big board rank: 150

Allar passes the eye test of an NFL quarterback, but the jury is still out on his film. A former pitcher, he once said he either struck batters out or walked them, and that’s how he plays quarterback right now: a lot of good, and a lot of regrets. His best throws are the best in the class, but he lacks consistency in how, when and why the ball comes out of his hands. Allar has starter-level tools, but he must show more respect for defenses and commit more fully to the fundamentals to reach his potential.

12. Trinidad Chambliss, Mississippi Rebels

Big board rank: 161

Analysis Coming soon!

13. Brendan Sorsby, Cincinnati Bearcats

Big board rank: 176

Analysis Coming soon!

14. Josh Hoover, TCU Horned Frogs

Big board rank: 183

Analysis Coming soon!

15. Jalon Daniels, Kansas Jayhawks

Big board rank: 191

Daniels brings an unorthodox play style that can appear chaotic, yet often results in success. He has average NFL arm talent but would be an outlier in terms of height. A notable back injury caused him to miss most of the 2023 season. Right now, Daniels is intriguing for his big-play ability outside of structure, but he’ll need to become more consistent and learn to anticipate throws within structure to earn a real NFL opportunity.

16. Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt Commodores

Big board rank: 203

Pavia is the kind of player fans rally around — he is an undersized underdog who plays with grit and belief, often leading overmatched teams to surprising success. But at the pro level, he’ll face the same underdog status. His size is far below NFL norms, and while comparisons to Kyler Murray or Bryce Young may come up, he lacks Murray’s dynamic athleticism and Young’s passing polish. Still, Pavia offers RPO and option experience, a fearless running style and the kind of attitude that coaches and teammates respect. He projects as a Day 3 or UDFA type, but one likely to become a fan favorite wherever he lands.

17. Darian Mensah, Duke Blue Devils

Big board rank: 218

Mensah is a cerebral quarterback with a high completion rate and a good understanding of the game. His touch passing stands out, though it often feels necessary, given his limited arm strength. At this stage, his physical tools aren’t quite NFL-ready. He’ll need to get bigger and stronger to project as a viable pro prospect.

18. Beau Pribula, Missouri Tigers

Big board rank: 224

Analysis Coming soon!

19. Athan Kaliakmanis, Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Big board rank: 229

Analysis Coming soon!

20. Luke Altmyer, Illinois Fighting Illini

Big board rank: 235

Altmyer is a confident operator in Illinois’ offense, showing a smooth release and solid touch in the short and intermediate areas. He’s comfortable under center and handles timing concepts well. However, his struggles with deep passing, subpar arm strength and poor sack avoidance raise questions about his ability to stand out among NFL-caliber quarterbacks.

21. Sawyer Robertson, Baylor Bears

Big board rank: 238

Robertson looks the part of an NFL quarterback. He has the size and arm strength to rip it at the next level. His wide kick in the follow-through, likely a carryover from his baseball days, doesn’t appear to impact his accuracy. While not a true dual-threat, he’s athletic enough to pick up first downs with his legs. He consistently gives his receivers a chance to win one-on-one, which leads to solid results against man coverage. However, he can struggle to assess the range of defenders in off-zone looks. If he can cut down on risky throws in those situations, he has a shot at becoming a top-100 draft selection.

22. Taylen Green, Arkansas Razorbacks

Big board rank: 242

Green is a strong athlete for his size, particularly at quarterback, with tools that flash at times. However, his development as a passer is still raw, marked by inconsistent mechanics, poor anticipation, and limited pre-snap processing. In his current state, Green may have more upside as a position convert to wide receiver or tight end, where his athletic traits could translate more effectively to the NFL.

23. Aidan Chiles, Michigan State Spartans

Big board rank: 248

Chiles is an intriguing quarterback with a solid NFL frame and natural arm velocity. His development from Oregon State to Michigan State was notable, particularly in his ability to process defenses. However, he still needs refinement in his mechanics, decision-making, and poise under pressure. If he continues to build on his growth, Chiles could become a legitimate NFL prospect.

24. Tommy Castellanos, Florida State Seminoles

Big board rank: 250

Analysis Coming soon!

25. Jackson Arnold, Auburn Tigers

Big board rank: 256

Arnold is a solid athlete with dual-threat capability and strong familiarity with RPO and option systems. However, as a passer, he currently lacks poise under pressure and struggles to anticipate throws between zones. With a fresh start at Auburn, he’ll have a chance to refine his game and prove he can take the next step as a true passing threat.

26. Byrum Brown, USF Bulls

Big board rank: 257

Analysis Coming soon!

27. Avery Johnson, Kansas State Wildcats

Big board rank: 260

Analysis Coming soon!

28. Miller Moss, Louisville Cardinals

Big board rank: 261

Moss faces an uphill battle to secure a roster spot due to his outlier size and lack of arm strength, both of which leave little room for error. However, he shows a high-level understanding of how to win with technique, timing, eye discipline and anticipation. His profile mirrors a potential Jake Browning-type outcome: a backup with the ability to step in and succeed in the right spot.

29. Eli Holstein, Pittsburgh Panthers

Big board rank: 264

Holstein enters 2025 with just one year of starting experience, and it shows. He’s prone to turnover-worthy plays, lacks consistent touch, and his lower-body mechanics are still developing. However, his arm talent stands out particularly on intermediate throws that flash NFL-level difficulty. While his performance under pressure needs work, there are flashes of pocket poise. Holstein is still raw but owns the foundational traits of a future NFL quarterback.

30. Nico Iamaleava, UCLA Bruins

Big board rank: 266

Iamaleava brings all the tools of an NFL quarterback: the height to see over the line, a long and powerful arm, a quick and compact release and twitchy footwork in the pocket. His accuracy and decision-making remain works in progress. He often locked onto primary reads in 2024, but his tape already features several NFL-caliber throws. Improved efficiency in his new offense at UCLA could position him as a top prospect in the 2026 draft.

31. Jake Retzlaff, Tulane Green Wave

Big board rank: 274

Retzlaff lacks prototypical NFL size but carries a solid, compact build that may help his durability. He works well within 25 yards and shows confidence throwing into intermediate zone windows, especially over the middle. However, his arm strength appears limited, as suggested by his open stance, sidearm release and the need to generate power with his whole body. His accuracy dipped notably on deeper throws and when required to throw with touch, raising concerns about consistency at the next level.

32. Conner Weigman, Houston Cougars

Big board rank: 275

Weigman shows flashes of NFL-caliber passing, but they’re just that — flashes. His tape is marked by high-variance play, with moments of hesitation and panicked mechanics under duress. While he possesses the necessary tools, his inconsistency and decision-making currently prevent him from being considered in the early rounds.

33. Rocco Becht, Iowa State Cyclones

Big board rank: 277

Analysis Coming soon!

34. Kyron Drones, Virginia Tech Hokies

Big board rank: 289

Analysis Coming soon!

35. Kevin Jennings, SMU Mustangs

Big board rank: 301

Jennings is a fun and effective college quarterback. At the NCAA level, you can enjoy his slipperiness in the pocket and flashes of out-of-structure playmaking without worrying about his size or arm ceiling. However, through an NFL lens, Jennings lacks the physical tools, particularly in terms of size and arm talent, to meet the baseline required to play the position at the next level. He’ll be a clear underdog throughout the draft process, but his toughness and playmaking may earn him a shot in a camp setting.

36. Devon Dampier, Utah Utes

Big board rank: 305

Analysis Coming soon!