Rob Rang’s Top 5 Quarterbacks
Overview: I’m showing my age a bit with this reference, but this year’s quarterback class reminds me of the 2010 class when Sam Bradford was selected first overall, Tim Tebow 25th and Jimmy Clausen at No. 48 was the only other QB to be among the first 84 picks. Contrast that with the draft two years ago in which six quarterbacks went in the Top 12. With the exception of the Heisman Trophy winner and national champion Mendoza, this year’s class offers a mix of potential and pro-readiness but far too few prospects with both. Expect a lot of teams to punt on this year’s QB class and wait for next year.
1. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana, 6-5, 236, First Round
Mendoza enters the draft more decorated than a wedding cake as the Heisman Trophy winner and first quarterback to ever take the Indiana Hoosiers to a national championship. Similar to longtime LA Rams and current Lions quarterback Jared Goff, Mendoza wins by anticipating windows well and delivering consistent, catchable throws to all levels of the field. As his iconic championship-sealing TD run against Miami demonstrated, Mendoza is also an opportunistic runner, not to mention a gutty, team-focused leader. At this point, it seems written in stone that Mendoza will be Klint Kubiak and the Las Vegas Raiders’ selection at No. 1 overall.
2. Ty Simpson, Alabama, 6-1, 211, Second Round
Simpson excelled for Kalen DeBoer and Alabama in 2025, leading the SEC with 3,500 passing yards and 28 touchdowns, flashing NFL starter-caliber accuracy in doing so. It was just a “flash,” though as Simpson enters the NFL with just 15 career starts, all of them coming last season. The track record of quarterbacks entering the NFL with less than 20 starts at the college level is abysmal and, of course, Simpson also was surrounded by blue-chip talent in his one starting season at Tuscaloosa.
3. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU, 6-2, 203, Second-Third Round
It isn’t often that I assign a Top 100 grade to a quarterback that got benched with a month to go in his final season, but I remain a Nussmeier believer, especially after he bounced back to win MVP honors during the Senior Bowl to cap his collegiate career. He’s got legitimate arm talent and has pro football bloodlines, with his father, Doug, playing or coaching pro football (including 2000-01 with the BC Lions) every year since 1994, currently serving as the New Orleans Saints’ offensive coordinator. Nussmeier isn’t the traditional coach’s son on the field, playing a bit reckless, at times, but I like his courage and creativity.
4. Carson Beck, Miami, 6-5, 233, Third Round
Seahawks fans got a front row look at Sam Darnold’s jump from one-time draft disappointment to Super Bowl champion and Beck nearly pulled off a similar resurrection of his pro stock, helping Miami qualify for the national championship, after transferring from Georgia. Beck has all of the physical traits scouts are looking for and with 55 combined games at blue-blood programs, he’s certainly battle-tested.
5. Taylen Green, Boise State, 6-6, 227, Third-Fourth Round
The first four quarterbacks listed were traditional pocket passers but teams looking for more of a dual-threat will have an interesting choice between Green and North Dakota State’s Cole Payton, a lefty and former running back. Longtime NFL fans might remember Randall Cunningham. That’s who Green reminds me of. As demonstrated with a remarkable workout at the Combine that included a 40-yard dash time of 4.36 seconds and a 43.5″ vertical jump, Green is among the elite athletes of this draft and a true rarity among quarterbacks. His ability as a runner to mask some deficiencies as a decision-maker and passer but the upside is worthy of a mid-round gamble.
