The 2026 quarterback class ran 10 players deep, slightly fewer than the 13 who were drafted in 2025, and it included two first-round selections, the report says. The top overall pick was Fernando Mendoza to the Las Vegas Raiders, while Ty Simpson went to the Los Angeles Rams at No. 13.
Per NFL draft analyst Jordan Reid, Mendoza’s college background — spending time at Cal and then Indiana — exposed him to multiple offensive systems and prepared him for Klint Kubiak’s scheme in Las Vegas. Reid noted Mendoza’s comfort with multistep progressions and his ability to work to third- and fourth-read options, and he pointed out Mendoza’s 73.4% completion rate on play-action throws in 2025 as an encouraging sign.
The Raiders have taken steps to help Mendoza, the report says. Beat writer Ryan McFadden noted Las Vegas has hired Kubiak, added center Tyler Linderbaum and addressed the defense through the draft and free agency. McFadden added that improving consistency in the running game after finishing last in the league in rushing yards per attempt the past two seasons — and an uptick from Ashton Jeanty or fourth-rounder Mike Washington Jr. as a complementary back — would ease Mendoza’s transition.
Reid projected that Mendoza’s long-term upside could be as a high-volume passer in Kubiak’s wide-open system, saying passing yards is an area Mendoza could lead the league in within a few years. Fantasy analyst Mike Clay’s rookie projection for Mendoza in 2026 called for 3,066 passing yards, 15 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions, plus 229 rushing yards and two rushing scores, per the report.
As for Simpson, Reid described the pick at No. 13 as surprising and said the Rams do not intend to rush him into a starting role. Simpson’s 15 college starts were paired with significant pre-snap responsibilities at Alabama — including setting protections, making run checks and altering concepts — and Reid said those experiences make him a candidate to spend multiple seasons learning behind Matthew Stafford and working under coach Sean McVay.
According to ESPN reporting noted in the piece, the Rams view Simpson as Stafford’s eventual successor and expect him to take at least a year of practice reps before playing meaningful snaps, with any promotion occurring on Stafford’s timetable. Reid added that Simpson’s accuracy, evidenced by a 64.5% completion rate last season, makes completion percentage the statistical area he could lead the league in down the line.
