2026 Fantasy Football Rookie Quarterback Rankings (Early Edition): Fernando Mendoza, Dante Moore, Ty Simpson, Carson Beck, more

January 12, 2026

2026 fantasy football rookie quarterback (QB) rankings, early edition. RotoBaller's top rookies and draft targets, including Fernando Mendoza, Dante Moore, and Ty Simpson.

In superflex dynasty leagues, quarterbacks are the most valuable pieces of rosters, and rookie drafts are often when these signal-callers are the easiest to acquire. Check out these way-too-early 2026 fantasy football rookie quarterback rankings to begin your rookie draft prep. Below, you'll see where rising rookie signal callers such as Fernando Mendoza, Dante Moore, Ty Simpson, Carson Beck, and more stand.

These initial 2026 rookie QB rankings are put together by Jackson Sparks and Phil Clark. 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 worth noting that not all of these collegiate players have declared for the NFL Draft yet, and players will be removed and added as those announcements come out. It's never too early to start your research and homework on rising NFL players, so let's get to it!

In addition to these rookie rankings, in our 2025 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.

NFL Rookie Quarterback Rankings for Fantasy Football (Early Edition)

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

Rookie Quarterback Fantasy Football Outlooks, News

Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza has the Hoosiers still alive in the College Football Playoff and has not officially declared for the 2026 NFL Draft. However, he's the overwhelming favorite to be the No. 1 pick in April if he forgoes his final year of collegiate eligibility, and the expectation is that he will do so when Indiana's season comes to an end.

The QB-needy Las Vegas Raiders officially have the No. 1 pick, so it's easy to connect the dots in the offseason. Mendoza, the 2025 Heisman Trophy Winner, has thrown for 3,349 yards, 41 touchdowns, and six interceptions through his first 15 games this year. He's added 284 yards and six scores as a runner. The Miami native isn't a high-end dual-threat quarterback, but he's a tactical scrambler with a touch of rushing upside. Mendoza isn't the most impressive athlete, but he's viewed as an NFL-ready prospect with a great command of the position.

If he ends up in Las Vegas, his rookie-season ceiling likely won't excite fantasy managers, but he'd become a valuable piece for a rebuilding superflex dynasty manager. He's projected to be a better "real life" quarterback than fantasy quarterback, but a signal-caller with No. 1 overall pick draft capital has job security baked into his value through a dynasty lens.

Dante Moore, Oregon

Oregon quarterback Dante Moore is projected by many to be the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, only behind Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Moore's Ducks were just eliminated from the College Football Playoff Semifinals on Friday, and he has not officially declared for April's draft just yet.

Moore has been excellent in his first season as the Ducks' starter, completing 71.8% of his passes for 3,565 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. The UCLA transfer can make all the throws needed from an NFL quarterback, but he has just 20 collegiate starts under his belt. Either way, if he's picked inside the top five, he's a clear early-first-round pick in Superflex dynasty rookie drafts. Based on the current draft order, his most likely landing spot appears to be the New York Jets.

Ty Simpson, Alabama

Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson has officially declared for the 2026 NFL Draft. It was speculated that the Tennessee native would likely return to college if it was not indicated that he would go in Round 1 after feedback from NFL scouts, which means he must have heard some positive news regarding his draft stock. In the middle of the 2025 season, Simpson was the betting favorite to be the No. 1 pick in April's draft. However, his play cooled off, and Indiana's Fernando Mendoza emerged as the clear QB1.

Still, Simpson's overall body of work in his lone season as a starter suggests he's first-round-worthy in a QB-needy NFL. In 15 games, Simpson completed 64.5% of his passes for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns, and five interceptions. He added two scores as a runner. Mendoza and Oregon's Dante Moore are projected as the No. 1 and No. 2 picks off the board, but Simpson looks like the clear QB3, and he could be a top-10 pick. This will make him a clear first-rounder in superflex dynasty fantasy football drafts.

Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss

The NCAA denied Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss' waiver for a sixth year of collegiate eligibility, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel. Chambliss spent four seasons at Ferris State before leading the Rebels to the College Football Playoff Semifinals in 2025. The 23-year-old has been seeking a medical redshirt after playing in just two games as a redshirt freshman at the FCS level.

Ole Miss can still appeal the NCAA's decision, so there could be more developments ahead on this situation. After beginning the season as the backup to Austin Simmons, Chambliss broke out nationally and became a Heisman Trophy contender. In 15 games, he completed 66.1% of his passes for 3,937 yards, 22 touchdowns, and three interceptions. He tallied 527 yards and eight scores as a runner. If Ole Miss can't find a way to keep him, he'll be headed for the 2026 NFL Draft. He'll be an intriguing high-upside pick for a franchise that wants to take a flier.

If he ever finds himself in a starting role, he'll have fantasy football intrigue as a talented passer with 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.

Joey Aguilar, Tennessee

Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar underwent successful surgery last week 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.

If Aguilar is drafted, he'll likely be a Round 6 or Round 7 pick, meaning his path to playing time is unlikely.

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