The 2026 NFL Draft is set to feature quarterbacks prominently, with Fernando Mendoza likely to be the No. 1 overall pick. This marks a trend of quarterbacks being selected first for the fourth consecutive year.
Key points
Fernando Mendoza likely to be No. 1 pick in 2026 NFL Draft
Fourth straight year a quarterback is projected first overall
22 quarterbacks have gone first overall in last 29 drafts
Quarterback position is crucial in the NFL
Mentioned in this story
Peyton Manning
Fernando MendozaNFL2026 NFL Draft
2026 NFL Draft QB live picks: Tracking where quarterbacks are drafted
No position in the NFL is as important as the quarterback.
Perhaps that's why Fernando Mendoza has been the foregone conclusion for months to be the No. 1 overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. In fact, this year will almost certainly mark the fourth straight year a quarterback goes first overall, and the 22nd time in the last 29 drafts since Peyton Manning went No. 1 in 1998.
Of course, this year's class has a drastic fall-off after Mendoza, making the Las Vegas Raiders' draft position even more valuable. However, with an immediate need at quarterback, the Raiders are heavily expected to select Mendoza rather than sell the pick.
Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson is the favorite to be the second signal-caller selected, but it's unknown if he will be selected in Round 1 or become a Day 2 selection. After that, it's anyone's guess, with LSU's Garrett Nussmeier, Arkansas' Taylen Green and Miami's Carson Beck behind the Crimson Tide quarterback.
Q&A
Who is expected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Fernando Mendoza is widely anticipated to be the No. 1 overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.
How many times have quarterbacks gone first overall in the NFL Draft since 1998?
Quarterbacks have been selected first overall 22 times in the last 29 NFL Drafts since Peyton Manning was chosen in 1998.
What is the significance of the quarterback position in the NFL?
The quarterback position is considered the most important in the NFL, influencing team success and strategy significantly.
How does the 2026 NFL Draft compare to previous drafts in terms of quarterback selections?
The 2026 NFL Draft is expected to continue the trend of quarterbacks being selected first overall for the fourth consecutive year.
Related Articles
NBA·Injury Update
Lakers' Reaves could return for game three against Rockets
Austin Reaves is 'questionable' for game three against the Suns as Lakers lead series 2-0.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
MLB·Recap
Sewald Throws a Meatball and The Offense Dries Up: Dbacks 1, White Sox 4
Diamondbacks lose to White Sox 4-1, miss series win.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
NFL
LIVE – Houston Texans 2026 Draft Tracker
Follow the Houston Texans' 2026 NFL Draft live updates here!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Cricket·Feature
Wankhede stand honour for Ravi Shastri turns into night of legends in Mumbai
A night of legends as Ravi Shastri's stand is named at Wankhede Stadium
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
NFL·Feature
Channel 9 sits down with Panthers head coach Dave Canales
Channel 9 interviews Panthers coach Dave Canales on offseason improvements.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Yasiel Puig Signs With Canadian Team Amid Legal Issues
Yasiel Puig signs with Toronto Maple Leafs as he faces legal challenges.
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
Here's a look at the quarterbacks selected in the 2026 NFL Draft:
Quarterbacks headline early evaluations for the 2026 NFL Draft as teams begin sorting the best available prospects at the position.
See the college quarterbacks drawing attention as draft boards take shape ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Above, Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana Hoosiers reacts after a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks during the fourth quarter of the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 09, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Ty Simpson of the Alabama Crimson Tide scrambles during the first quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2026, in Pasadena, California.
Garrett Nussmeier of the LSU Tigers drops back to pass against the Baylor Bears during the first half in the Kinder's Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium on December 31, 2024, in Houston, Texas.
Cade Klubnik of the Clemson Tigers warms up during the first half of a football game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 29, 2025, in Columbia, South Carolina.
Drew Allar of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts after a touchdown against the UCLA Bruins during the fourth quarter at Rose Bowl Stadium on October 04, 2025, in Pasadena, California.
Miami's Carson Beck throws during the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Green passes during the third quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
Colorado Buffaloes linebacker LaVonta Bentley #20 tackles North Dakota State Bison quarterback Cole Payton #9 in the first half at Folsom Field.
Luke Altmyer of the Illinois Fighting Illini throws a pass against the Western Illinois Leathernecks during the first half at Memorial Stadium on August 29, 2025, in Champaign, Illinois.
Diego Pavia of the Vanderbilt Commodores makes adjustments prior to the snap during the second quarter of the game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 01, 2025, in Austin, Texas.
1 / 10
See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft
Quarterbacks headline early evaluations for the 2026 NFL Draft as teams begin sorting the best available prospects at the position.
See the college quarterbacks drawing attention as draft boards take shape ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Above, Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana Hoosiers reacts after a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks during the fourth quarter of the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 09, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.
1 / 10
See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft
Quarterbacks headline early evaluations for the 2026 NFL Draft as teams begin sorting the best available prospects at the position.
See the college quarterbacks drawing attention as draft boards take shape ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Above, Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana Hoosiers reacts after a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks during the fourth quarter of the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 09, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.
2 / 10
See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft
Ty Simpson of the Alabama Crimson Tide scrambles during the first quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2026, in Pasadena, California.
3 / 10
See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft
Garrett Nussmeier of the LSU Tigers drops back to pass against the Baylor Bears during the first half in the Kinder's Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium on December 31, 2024, in Houston, Texas.
4 / 10
See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft
Cade Klubnik of the Clemson Tigers warms up during the first half of a football game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 29, 2025, in Columbia, South Carolina.
5 / 10
See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft
Drew Allar of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts after a touchdown against the UCLA Bruins during the fourth quarter at Rose Bowl Stadium on October 04, 2025, in Pasadena, California.
6 / 10
See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft
Miami's Carson Beck throws during the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
7 / 10
See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft
Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Green passes during the third quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
8 / 10
See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft
Colorado Buffaloes linebacker LaVonta Bentley #20 tackles North Dakota State Bison quarterback Cole Payton #9 in the first half at Folsom Field.
9 / 10
See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft
Luke Altmyer of the Illinois Fighting Illini throws a pass against the Western Illinois Leathernecks during the first half at Memorial Stadium on August 29, 2025, in Champaign, Illinois.
10 / 10
See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft
Diego Pavia of the Vanderbilt Commodores makes adjustments prior to the snap during the second quarter of the game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 01, 2025, in Austin, Texas.