Overview
- Anonymous executives told The Athletic they don’t see a clear franchise quarterback in early 2026 evaluations, calling the class underwhelming.
- Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza is viewed as the current QB1 by many evaluators after a highly efficient season and a clutch win at Penn State, and one exec downplayed concerns about his quiet demeanor.
- Alabama’s Ty Simpson has surged into top-pick discussions based on strong play, though some scouts flag limited starting tape and top-end physical traits.
- Todd McShay’s latest mock projects the Jets to target Mendoza and the Browns to pursue Simpson via trades, with the caveat that both projections hinge on declarations.
- Draft calculus could shift if prospects like Dante Moore stay in school, and team context matters as the Jets hold multiple future firsts while the Browns’ unsettled QB room and Dillon Gabriel’s struggles point to an early QB pick.