After Fernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson, Who is QB3 in the 2026 NFL Draft?

Everyone loves a strong quarterback draft class. They give QB-needy NFL teams hope for the future. They provide media members and fans alike with debate topics such as which signal-caller should go first, how many will be taken early, and by which teams.

The 2026 class is not considered a strong one. It's largely viewed as a two-quarterback pool with Indiana's Fernando Mendoza a legitimate first-round prospect and Alabama's Ty Simpson—and there isn't any uncertainty about which will be drafted first.

Of course, history tells us that Mendoza and Simpson won't be the only quarterbacks drafted this year, and they might not be the only NFL starters in the player pool.

Here, we'll take a deeper dive into the 2026 quarterback class, the top contenders to be QB3, and which teams might be in the mix for a quarterback early.

Mendoza and Simpson Represent the Top 2 QB Tiers

AP Photo/AJ Mast

Indiana QB prospect Fernando Mendoza

The 2026 draft is shaping up to be similar to last year's draft, at least toward the top. Cam Ward was largely viewed as the top-tier QB and a logical pick for the Tennessee Titans at No. 1, while the second tier was comprised of fringe first-rounders.

While few foresaw Shedeur Sanders' slide into Day 3, the selection of Jaxson Dart toward the tail end of Round 1 wasn't a surprise. Tyler Shough ended up being QB3, and he enters 2026 looking like a viable starter for the New Orleans Saints.

This year, Mendoza is a virtual lock to go to the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 1 overall. The reigning Heisman winner and national champion is the closest thing to a "safe" QB prospect in the class, and he's largely viewed as in a tier of his own. Like the Titans a year ago, the Raiders are highly unlikely to move off of Mendoza.

Simpson is a bit more of a wild card, though he's trending as the unquestioned QB2. While the Bleacher Report Scouting Department doesn't have a first-round grade on Simpson, he is ranked within the top 30 prospects.

ESPN's Dan Orlovsky recently stated that he views Simpson as the best QB in the class, and while few seem to agree, many draft experts have Simpson mocked as a first-rounder.

The B/R Scouting Department projected the Arizona Cardinals making a trade into Round 1 to take Simpson 26th overall in its recent mock draft. Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski also examined some other hypothetical trade scenarios involving Simpson. The New York Jets and Cleveland Browns are other teams that could look to snag Simpson early.

The issue with Simpson is that the 6'1" signal-caller doesn't possess the archetypal size of Mendoza (6'5") or an expansive resume (15 starts). He put plenty of quality reps on film this season, but he's still a risk in Round 1.

There appears to be a sizeable gap between Mendoza and Simpson, and an equally large gap between Simpson and the rest of the field. However, teams hoping to land their version of Shough in 2026 will have a few potential QB3s to consider.

Garrett Nussmeier, LSU

AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman

Every quarterback in the 2026 class not named Mendoza carries question marks. For Simpson, they're rooted in a limited resume and poor play late in 2025, possibly caused by injuries and severe gastritis complications.

For LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, questions can be traced to his lack of elite arm talent and the abdominal/oblique injury that hampered him throughout the 2025 season.

Nussmeier was far more efficient in 2024, finishing with 4,052 passing yards with 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He had just 1,927 yards and 12 touchdowns this past season.

At 6'2" and 203 pounds, Nussmeier is a bit undersized but certainly not too short for the position. When healthy, he has looked like a viable NFL talent, and now that he's again healthy, he has reportedly impressed scouts.

"Nussmeier has impressed in the predraft process now that he's healthy from an abdominal injury suffered before the 2025 season," ESPN's Matt Miller wrote.

Nussmeier is the third-ranked QB and the 65th-ranked overall prospect on the B/R Scouting Department's board. Teams won't all be looking for the same traits, but those seeking a pocket passer who can deliver the ball on time and operate with rhythm may prefer Nussmeier. He'd be a solid candidate for a team like the Los Angeles Rams, who should be looking to develop an understudy behind Matthew Stafford.

Drew Allar, Penn State

AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

Penn State's Drew Allar is the fourth-ranked QB and the 104th-ranked overall prospect on the B/R board. However, he may appeal to some teams much more than Nussmeier does.

While Nussmeier is a relatively pro-ready passer, Allar is more of a low-floor, high-ceiling player.

While Allar's mechanics, ball placement, awareness, and decision-making all need work, his physical traits are intriguing. At 6'5" and 228 pounds, he has the size many teams desire in a starter, and his arm talent is undeniable.

"Allar has immense strength, generating outstanding velocity and RPMs on those with little to no effort," Dame Parson of the B/R Scouting Department wrote. "[He] is capable of making 'wow' throws with touch and arm strength to power the ball wherever he desires."

The former 5-star recruit also suffered a season-ending ankle injury this past season, though he doesn't expect it to hamper his NFL future.

"I'll be able to make a full recovery and not have anything to think about when I come back," Allar said in November, per ESPN's Pete Thamel.

While Allar will probably need a year or two of development, his physical ceiling is nearly on par with Mendoza's. He'd be a sensible target for a team like the Pittsburgh Steelers, who will employ Aaron Rodgers if the 42-year-old chooses to return for 2026.

Carson Beck, Miami

AP Photo/Julio Cortez

Miami's Carson Beck is the sixth-ranked QB and the 124th-ranked prospect on the B/R board. He has great size for the position at 6'5" and 233 pounds, but he lacks optimal arm strength and decision-making.

His arm strength seemed to decline after he underwent surgery to repair a torn UCL in his throwing elbow late in 2024.

However, Beck has shown an ability to lead an offense and to perform in high-pressure situations. Teams that favor starting experience may be particularly high on Beck.

The 23-year-old won two national championships as a backup at Georgia before starting two seasons for the Bulldogs and one for the Miami Hurricanes. He appeared in 55 games during his college career and threw for 11,725 yards and 88 touchdowns.

Beck, of course, led the Hurricanes against Mendoza and the Hoosiers in January's College Football Playoff title game.

ESPN's Field Yates believes Beck has emerged as QB3 in the 2026 class.

"I'm giving Beck the nod for a few reasons," Yates wrote. "He has a natural throwing ability (69.5% career completion percentage) and plenty of experience (43 starts). Scouts are extremely impressed with his overall acumen as a player."

Teams looking for an experienced quarterback who can compete to start early, like the Cardinals and Browns, might be interested in adding Beck to their quarterback rooms.

Wild-Card Candidates

AP Photo

Arkansas QB prospect Taylen Green

As noted, not every team is looking for the same thing at quarterback. While Nussmeier, Allar, and Beck are the top candidates to be QB3, that doesn't mean we won't see another surprise signal-caller drafted ahead of them.

Arkansas prospect Taylen Green might entice teams seeking a high-ceiling dual-threat at quarterback. He's unpolished as a passer and will likely need to refine his delivery, but he has great size (6'6", 227 lbs), elite speed (4.36-second 40-yard dash), and top-tier arm talent.

"He possesses the arm strength to power the football into most windows with little effort," Parsons wrote of Green.

North Dakota State's Cole Payton is another high-ceiling dual-threat prospect who has good size (6'3", 232 lbs) and intriguing traits. However, having just one year of starting experience at the FCS level is concerning.

Clemson's Cade Klubnik, meanwhile, is a former 5-star recruit who was once considered a potential first-round pick. However, he failed to improve on an impressive 2024 campaign and has left a lot of up-and-down play on film.

At 6'2" and 207 pounds, Klubnik is on the smaller side and simply didn't develop as expected during his three seasons at Clemson.

Green, Payton, and Klubnik all project as developmental players and/or future backups and are not expected to be drafted early. Of course, it only takes one team to fall in love with a prospect to deliver a draft-day surprise.

Verdict: Expect Nussmeier to be QB3

AP Photo/Michael Conroy

To be honest, QB3 may ultimately be settled by which team decides to flip the switch on a quarterback after Mendoza and Simpson are off the board. Each team will have its own draft board, and the rankings won't be universal.

However, there are a few reasons why Nussmeier is QB3 on the B/R board and a strong candidate to be the third quarterback selected. His two seasons of SEC starting experience and high football intelligence are chief among them.

"High football IQ and understanding of playing the quarterback position and the responsibilities that come with it," Parson wrote. "From making pre-snap checks and route adjustments based on the defensive formation to sliding protections against incoming pressure packages."

Nussmeier's health is also a big factor here. If teams are comfortable that all of his 2025 struggles were due to injury, they may be very comfortable drafting him now that he's at or close to 100 percent.

"I'm feeling pretty good getting back to being myself," Nussmeier said at his pro day, per Wilson Alexander of NOLA.com. "It has been, obviously, a long process of trying to do that, but I feel great. I felt like today, I kind of showed that in a sense."

Nussmeier may not have All-Pro traits, but he has the tools and intangibles to be an average starter and to do it early in his career.