Fantasy Football Rookie Quarterback Rankings: Pre-NFL Draft (2026)

April 15, 2026

Fantasy football rookie quarterback rankings for before the 2026 NFL Draft. Top rookies and dynasty draft targets include Fernando Mendoza, Ty Simpson, and more.

We're just about one week away from the 2026 NFL Draft, and seeing where quarterbacks land is always one of the most exciting aspects of draft season. This year's class is on the weaker side, but we should see at least two signal-callers selected in Round 1. There are also a few later-round players with upside that dynasty managers will hold as lotto tickets for the next few seasons. Let's take a look at the latest 2026 fantasy football rookie quarterback rankings below.

We will update these rookie rankings all offseason long, including after the 2026 NFL Draft. It's never too early to start your research and homework on rising NFL players, so let's get to it! These updated 2026 rookie rankings are put together by Jackson Sparks, Matt Donnelly, Andrew Lalama, 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.

Fantasy Football Rookie Quarterback Rankings (2026)

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

Rookie Quarterback NFL Draft Outlooks for Fantasy Football

Ty Simpson, Alabama

ESPN's Adam Schefter recently said that he expects Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson to be a first-rounder in the 2026 NFL draft, but ESPN's Jeremy Fowler says that enough scouts have a second-round grade on him to make him an early Day 2 possibility. Simpson's draft stock is all over the map, as he's expected to go anywhere from No. 10 overall to No. 30 in the first round. The primary concern is his lack of experience, as he didn't become a starter at Alabama until his senior season in 2025.

He played well early on last year but struggled late, ultimately finishing with 3,567 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and only five interceptions in 15 games played. Nobody is really expecting Simpson to come in right away in the NFL and be great, and one veteran NFL scout called Simpson "a mix between Jared Goff and Mac Jones." Simpson made "a lot of NFL throws" at Alabama, which will help his development at the next level, but fantasy managers in redraft leagues shouldn't expect him to be in play as a starter in 2026, even in superflex leagues.

Drew Allar, Penn State

Penn State quarterback Drew Allar struggled with accuracy and played in only six games in 2025 due to a fractured left ankle, but ESPN's Jeremy Fowler writes that some NFL scouts still "see major upside" in Allar. He previously garnered first-round buzz thanks to his 6-foot-5 frame and big arm, but it's tough to project where he'll go in the 2026 NFL draft because of his abbreviated final season with the Nittany Lions.

"He's my favorite quarterback in the draft outside of Mendoza," an NFL coordinator said. "In the right system, he can be great. He's got everything as far as tools. His footwork is an absolute mess. But improve his footwork, and he can take off. He deserved better than what he got at Penn State." If Allar lands in the right spot with a coordinator that can improve his footwork, Allar could be a nice dynasty/keeper target if you miss out on Fernando Mendoza or Ty Simpson.

Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

Projected No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza has informed the NFL that he is not planning to attend the NFL draft in Pittsburgh at the end of this month, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Mendoza wants to share the draft experience with his family in Miami. The Indiana quarterback will be selected by the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 1 overall, although the Raiders already signed veteran signal-caller Kirk Cousins, and he's expected to open the 2026 season as the starter under center while Mendoza sits and watches early on in his NFL career.

The Heisman Trophy winner led the Hoosiers to an undefeated season and the national championship in 2025, throwing for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns, and only six interceptions in 16 games played. He also had 90 carries for 276 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns. Mendoza doesn't have an obvious weakness and should have a pretty high floor for those looking to take him at No. 1 overall in rookie-only drafts later this year.

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