2026 Fantasy Football Rookie QB Rankings (Post NFL Draft) - Ty Simpson, Carson Beck, Fernando Mendoza, Drew Allar, Cade Klubnik, Taylen Green

May 1, 2026

RotoBaller's fantasy football rookie quarterback (QB) rankings for after the 2026 NFL Draft. These tiered rookie rankings are for rookie drafts, dynasty drafts, and more.

We've certainly seen more exciting quarterback classes enter the NFL in recent years, but the 2026 NFL Draft class saw two first-rounders and several picks in Rounds 3 and 4 that have at least somewhat realistic paths to playing time in their rookie seasons and beyond. We're back with our post-NFL Draft fantasy football rookie quarterback rankings. Read along to see where the top 15 rookie QBs stand.

These updated 2026 rookie QB rankings are put together by Matt Donnelly, Phil Clark, Jackson Sparks, and Andrew Lalama. These rankings will be updated throughout the offseason, up until the start of the 2026 NFL regular season, based on training camp intel, preseason performances, and more. Read below to find out where Ty Simpson, Carson Beck, Fernando Mendoza, Drew Allar, Cade Klubnik, Taylen Green, and more stand, among all others.

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.

NFL Rookie QB Rankings for Fantasy Football (Post-Draft)

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

2026 Fantasy Football Rookie Quarterback Outlooks

Fernando Mendoza, Las Vegas Raiders

The Las Vegas Raiders officially selected Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft on Thursday night. What we've known for months is finally official. The 22-year-old Heisman Trophy winner led Indiana to an undefeated season in 2025 and the national championship by completing 72% of his 379 pass attempts for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns, and only six interceptions in 16 games played. He was also a threat on the ground, carrying the ball 90 times for 276 yards and seven touchdowns.

Running back Jeremiyah Love should come off the board first in rookie-only dynasty drafts, but Mendoza should be 1.02 in superflex leagues. The Raiders signed veteran Kirk Cousins to serve as a short-term bridge as the Raiders ease Mendoza into the NFL spotlight, but Mendoza should take over the starting gig under center in Vegas sooner rather than later.

Mendoza will have a high-end fantasy ceiling in dynasty/keeper leagues because of his elite accuracy, quick release, and excellent decision-making skills. He's not quite a high-end dual threat as a rusher, but he should have a safe floor in the long-term. The Indiana product has been compared to both Cousins and Jared Goff for his ability to pick a defense apart from the pocket with pinpoint accuracy.

Ty Simpson, Los Angeles Rams

The Los Angeles Rams have selected Alabama quarterback prospect Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. There had been plenty of chatter about Simpson's stock ahead of the draft, and in the end, he'll end up with the Rams as the eventual successor to Matthew Stafford.

It's a stunning development, as the Rams have Stafford under contract for 2026 and have reportedly been open to an extension with him. Jay Glazer of FOX Sports reports that the Rams plan to let Stafford dictate his future, and Simpson will be the successor whenever Stafford decides to retire. We can't fault the Rams for wanting to have a clear succession plan in place, similar to how the Packers drafted Jordan Love in the waning years of the Aaron Rodgers era.

Plus, having a quarterback on an affordable rookie contract could allow the Rams to hand out a big extension to Puka Nacua or Davante Adams, both of whom are in a contract year. Simpson completed 305 passes for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns, and five interceptions during his final season at Alabama. He's a pocket passer who fits nicely in the Rams' system. He'll have to wait a little while before he gets playing time. However, when his time comes, he'll have top-12 quarterback upside in fantasy football.

Carson Beck, Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals selected University of Miami quarterback Carson Beck with the 65th overall pick to kick off the third round of the 2026 NFL draft on Friday night. The Cardinals were fully expected to take a signal-caller at some point in this year's draft, and it ends up coming with the first pick of the third round. The Cardinals released former first-rounder Kyler Murray (foot) after a disappointing and injury-plagued 2025 campaign. Veteran Jacoby Brissett took over for Murray last year and had a career year in a pass-heavy offense.

Beck is the heir apparent in the desert under center now, and he could end up playing in 2026 under new head coach Mike LaFleur. There was a time when Beck was considered a potential first-rounder, but that all changed after he suffered a torn UCL in his right elbow in 2024.

Beck is often compared to Jared Goff. The 6-foot-4, 233-pounder had questions about his arm strength after elbow surgery and finished his final collegiate season with a 72.4% completion percentage, 3,813 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in 16 games played. Beck will most likely head into training camp competing with Gardner Minshew for the backup job, but if Brissett struggles early, there will be plenty of noise for the Cardinals to get the Beck era started.

Cade Klubnik, New York Jets

The New York Jets have selected Clemson quarterback prospect Cade Klubnik with the 110th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. The Jets moved up to this slot via trade with the Cincinnati Bengals. In full, the Jets acquired the 110th and 199th picks from the Bengals in exchange for the 128th and 140th picks. Selecting Klubnik is a relatively low-risk move with upside for the Jets, whose current quarterback is Geno Smith.

We don't see any path to Klubnik starting over Smith by Week 1, but the rookie could start generating some buzz if Smith struggles down the stretch this season. A three-year starter at Clemson, Klubnik finished the 2025 campaign with a 65.6% completion rate, 2,943 passing yards, 16 passing touchdowns, and six interceptions across 12 games. His stats took a major step back from 2024, when he had 36 passing touchdowns. The Jets are hoping he can return to that form, especially if he opens his career as a developmental backup.

Taylen Green, Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns opened the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft by selecting Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green with the 182nd overall pick. A dynamic athlete who began his collegiate career at Boise State, Green's size and speed had some wondering if his best path to an NFL career might come by transitioning to another position, but Browns general manager Andrew Berry has already gone on record that he will play quarterback.

Green joins one of the most crowded quarterback rooms in the league with Deshaun Watson now six seasons removed from his Pro Bowl form with the Texans, and 2025 picks Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders both making starts in their rookie season. At 6'6" and 235 pounds, Green ran a 4.36 40-yard dash at the Combine after running for more than 1,800 yards and 16 touchdowns across his two seasons at Arkansas, making him an intriguing late-round pick in rookie drafts.

Drew Allar, Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers have made a move at the quarterback position, selecting Penn State signal-caller Drew Allar with the 76th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Allar played just six games for the Nittany Lions in 2025 due to a fractured ankle, which ended his season in mid-October. Across 45 career collegiate contests, Allar completed 63.2% of his pass attempts and threw 61 touchdowns with just 13 interceptions. He also showed some ability to make plays with his legs during his junior season in 2024, rushing for 302 yards and six touchdowns on 96 attempts.

The Steelers quarterback room is currently unsettled as the team waits for Aaron Rodgers to decide whether he will play in 2026. If Rodgers returns, Allar will likely play a reserve role as a rookie. Should Rodgers decide to retire, Allar could be competing with veteran quarterback Mason Rudolph for the starting role in Pittsburgh.

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