Josh Allen is projected to be the top quarterback in fantasy football drafts for 2026 after leading in fantasy points last season. The article also discusses the potential of rookie Fernando Mendoza and other quarterback rankings.
Key points
Josh Allen is projected as the top fantasy quarterback for 2026.
He led all quarterbacks in fantasy points last season.
Rookie Fernando Mendoza is under consideration for late-round picks.
The article includes early quarterback rankings and analysis.
Josh AllenBuffalo BillsFernando Mendoza
NFL teams know the best building block for lasting success is a star quarterback. That's not quite the case in fantasy football, but having a good one certainly helps.
After topping all quarterbacks in fantasy points a year ago, Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills is pretty much a lock to be the first one off the board in fantasy drafts this season. His consistency and elite production are unmatched in the game today.
But how does the rest of the position shake out? And will No. 1 overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza be worth a late-round pick in his rookie season? No time like the present to start digging in.
Here's a look at this season's early quarterback rankings, courtesy of USA TODAY Sports' Elisha Twerski, followed by an analysis of some emerging trends.
2026: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana - Las Vegas Raiders
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen turns and looks towards the coaches at the end of the play during first half action of the Bills home game against the New Orleans Saints in Orchard Park.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen turns and looks towards the coaches at the end of the play during first half action of the Bills home game against the New Orleans Saints in Orchard Park.
Some of the key takeaways from our way-too-early fantasy football rankings:
Josh Allen narrowly edged out the Patriots' Drake Maye for the No. 1 spot in fantasy points scored in 2025. And both of them are among the top three this season. The Ravens' Lamar Jackson might have been in the mix as well if he hadn't missed four games due to injury. Those three − plus Washington's Jayden Daniels − comprise a pretty clear top tier.
Looks like some longtime fantasy studs could be losing their mojo. The Eagles' Jalen Hurts only rates as our QB7, while Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs is 15th and − after finishing last season as the QB3 − Matthew Stafford of the Rams is all the way down at No. 16.
These wild cards could have a wide range of outcomes in 2026. Here's where we're placing them in our initial rankings.
