Fantasy Football Rookie Quarterback Rankings (2026): Ty Simpson, Fernando Mendoza, Trinidad Chambliss, Garrett Nussmeier, Carson Beck

January 20, 2026

2026 dynasty fantasy football rookie quarterback rankings. RotoBaller's top rookies and dynasty draft targets, including Ty Simpson, Fernando Mendoza, Trinidad Chambliss, Garrett Nussmeier, and Carson Beck.

In superflex dynasty leagues, all long-term starters have plenty of value. And in single-QB formats, finding a game-changing quarterback to anchor your team for years to come can give you a significant advantage. The cheapest way to acquire big-name quarterbacks is as they enter the league in rookie drafts, so let's get started with our 2026 NFL rookie quarterback rankings. Below, you still see where key QBs such as Ty Simpson, Fernando Mendoza, Trinidad Chambliss, Garrett Nussmeier, and Carson Beck stand, among the other top 12 rookie signal callers in the early rankings.

We will update these rookie rankings all offseason long, and there will be major shake-ups based on all of the NFL prospect offseason activities, including the Senior Bowl, NFL Combine, and NFL Draft. It's never too early to start your research and homework on rising NFL players, so let's get to it! These initial 2026 rookie rankings are put together by Jackson Sparks and Phil Clark.

In addition to these rookie rankings, in our 2026 fantasy football rankings dashboard, you will also find our team's Dynasty League rankings. Bookmark that page, and use it to prepare for all of your 2026 fantasy football dynasty league drafts.

2026 NFL Rookie Quarterback Rankings for Fantasy Football

Check out our PPR fantasy football rankings and standard (non-PPR) fantasy football rankings as well:

Fantasy Football NFL Rookie Quarterback News and Outlooks

Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza finished his 2025-26 season with a win over Miami in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, becoming just the sixth player since 2010 to win the Heisman Trophy and National Championship in the same season. He joins Cam Newton, Jameis Winston, Derrick Henry, Joe Burrow, and DeVonta Smith on that list. In his 16-game undefeated season, the 22-year-old completed 72% of his passes for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns, and six interceptions.

FERNANDO MENDOZA TAKES IT BY HIMSELF AND DIVES INTO THE END ZONE TO EXTEND INDIANA'S LEAD! 💪 #NationalChampionship pic.twitter.com/ocjkMN7TJt

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 20, 2026

He added 276 yards and seven touchdowns as a runner. Mendoza is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and Oregon quarterback Dante Moore returning to school for another season makes that more likely. Las Vegas Raiders brass, including Mark Davis and Tom Brady, were in attendance to watch Mendoza play in Miami on Monday night.

Ty Simpson, Alabama

University of Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson has declared for the 2026 NFL Draft, per Pete Nakos of On3 Sports. Simpson has a chance to be selected in the first round as one of the first quarterbacks off the board. Across 15 games for the Crimson Tide in 2025, Simpson completed 64.5% of his pass attempts for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns, and five interceptions. He spent four years at Alabama, but did not earn significant playing time until his redshirt Junior season.

Simpson, who will turn 24 years old in December of his rookie year, should be on the radar of fantasy managers in both redraft and dynasty leagues. While he's not guaranteed to land a starting NFL job right away, there appears to be a solid chance that Simpson will have an opportunity to start games early in his NFL career.

Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss

Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss just finished his first and potentially last season at Ole Miss following four seasons at the FCS level, and although the Rebels are still hoping to get him another year of collegiate eligibility, his situation remains up in the air. If Chambliss is not allowed to return to school, he could draw plenty of NFL interest in a shallow QB class. In 15 games (13 starts) this season, the 23-year-old compiled an 11-2 record, throwing for 3,937 yards, 22 touchdowns, and just three interceptions.

After receiving zero D-I scholarship offers, Trinidad Chambliss played at D-II Ferris State, where he won two national championships before transferring to Ole Miss.

Thursday, he led the Rebels to one of the biggest wins in program history 🔥

A moment of bliss for Trinidad 👏 pic.twitter.com/bITgFtRPkF

— ESPN (@espn) January 2, 2026

He tallied 527 rushing yards and eight touchdowns en route to a College Football Playoff Semifinal appearance. Some draft analysis beleive Chambliss could end up being a second-round pick, though there are always big surprises at the quarterback spot during the NFL Draft. If Chambliss ends up as a top-three-round pick, he's worth a look in superflex dynasty leagues as a backup or potential starter thanks to his rushing upside.

Garrett Nussmeier, LSU

This time last year, LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier was projected by many to be a top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The signal-caller who took over for Jayden Daniels in Baton Rouge had a prolific first year as a starter, passing for 4,052 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. However, his redshirt senior season was a letdown, as the Tigers' offense crumbled, and Nussmeier was only able to rack up 1,927 passing yards, 12 passing touchdowns, and five interceptions in nine games.

The 23-year-old worked with shaky offensive line play and a lack of a rushing attack in 2025, which can excuse some of the regression, but his draft stock has undoubtedly taken a hit. Once viewed as a first-round prospect, Nussmeier will likely be selected between rounds two and four in April's draft. This means he's unlikely to see a starting role right away, but he'll be an interesting later-round rookie pick and stash candidate in deep dynasty superflex leagues.

Taylen Green, Arkansas

Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green finished his collegiate career with 9,962 passing yards, 2,405 rushing yards, 94 total touchdowns, and 35 interceptions in 53 games with the Razorbacks and Boise State Broncos. Green is arguably the most physically gifted quarterback in the upcoming rookie class, but his turnover issues and lack of consistency as a passer will prevent him from being a top signal-caller prospect overall. That said, Green has a cannon of an arm and likely possesses 4.4 speed at 6'6", 215 pounds.

All 6️⃣ of Taylen Green's touchdowns vs. Mississippi State 🔥😮‍💨@RazorbackFB | @taylengreen17 pic.twitter.com/GDk29z6AFW

— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) October 26, 2024

He's rushed for at least eight touchdowns in all four seasons as a starter. While Green is highly unlikely to earn a starting job early, or at all, in his NFL career, he's an enticing stash in deep dynasty superflex leagues thanks to his physical tools. If he makes a few spot starts in the case of an injury to a starter, his rushing skills alone give him at least QB2 upside. Green is currently expected to be a Day 3 pick in April's 2026 NFL Draft.

Joey Aguilar, Tennessee

Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar underwent successful surgery on Friday to remove a benign tumor that has been pushing on his biceps tendon and labrum, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Rapoport reports that the tumor has been causing weakness and pain, but the situation has been kept quiet. Aguilar is expected to fully recover from the surgery in eight weeks.

After spending time at City College of San Francisco, Diablo Valley, and Appalachian State, Agauilar transferred to UCLA last Spring before heading to Tennessee after it was announced Nico Iamaleava would join the Bruins following Spring practice. In 13 games with the Vols, Aguilar threw for 3,565 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He tallied an 8-5 record. Aguilar is currently seeking another year of collegiate eligibility, but it seems likely that his time in Knoxville will conclude after one year.

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