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.
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.
FANTASY FOOTBALL 2026: Early Top 150 overall rankings
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
2025: Cam Ward, QB, Miami (Fla.) - Tennessee Titans
2024: Caleb Williams, QB, USC - Chicago Bears
Josh Allen is expected to be the top quarterback in fantasy football drafts for 2026.
Josh Allen's unmatched consistency and elite production in fantasy points make him a top pick.
There is speculation about whether rookie Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall draft pick, will be worth a late-round pick in fantasy football.
The article provides early quarterback rankings for fantasy football 2026, highlighting key players and emerging trends.
Trump interrupts speech to honor Rory McIlroy at state dinner with King Charles III

Ulster's Iain Henderson stresses the importance of a full squad for upcoming challenges.
Cincinnati Reds fans enjoy free pizza thanks to Tyler Stephenson's challenge!
See every story in Sports β including breaking news and analysis.
2023: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama - Carolina Panthers
2022: Travon Walker, DE, Georgia - Jacksonville Jaguars
2021: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson - Jacksonville Jaguars
2020: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU - Cincinnati Bengals
2019: Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma - Arizona Cardinals
2018: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma - Cleveland Browns
2017: Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M - Cleveland Browns
2016: Jared Goff, QB, Cal - Los Angeles Rams
2015: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2014: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina - Houston Texans
2009: Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia - Detroit Lions
2008: Jake Long, OT, Michigan - Miami Dolphins
2007: JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU - Oakland Raiders
2004: Eli Manning, QB, Ole Miss - San Diego Chargers (traded to New York Giants)
2003: Carson Palmer, QB, USC - Cincinnati Bengals
2002: David Carr, QB, Fresno State - Houston Texans
2001: Michael Vick, QB, Virginia Tech - Atlanta Falcons
2000: Courtney Brown, DE, Penn State - Cleveland Browns
1999: Tim Couch, QB, Kentucky - Cleveland Browns
1998: Peyton Manning, QB, Tennessee - Indianapolis Colts
1997: Orlando Pace, OT, Ohio State - St. Louis Rams
1996: Keyshawn Johnson, WR, USC - New York Jets
1995: Ki-Jana Carter, RB, Penn State - Cincinnati Bengals
1994: Dan Wilkinson, DT, Ohio State - Cincinnati Bengals
1992: Steve Emtman, DT, Washington - Indianapolis Colts
1991: Russell Maryland, DT, Miami - Dallas Cowboys
1990: Jeff George, QB, Illinois - Indianapolis Colts
1989: Troy Aikman, QB, UCLA - Dallas Cowboys
1988: Aundray Bruce, LB, Auburn - Atlanta Falcons
1987: Vinny Testaverde, QB, Miami - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1986: Bo Jackson, RB, Auburn - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (did not sign, later joined Los Angeles Raiders)
1985: Bruce Smith, DE, Virginia Tech - Buffalo Bills
1984: Irving Fryar, WR, Nebraska - New England Patriots
1983: John Elway, QB, Stanford - Baltimore Colts (traded to Denver Broncos)
1 / 37
2026: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana - Las Vegas Raiders
1 / 37
2026: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana - Las Vegas Raiders
2 / 37
2025: Cam Ward, QB, Miami (Fla.) - Tennessee Titans
3 / 37
2024: Caleb Williams, QB, USC - Chicago Bears
4 / 37
2023: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama - Carolina Panthers
5 / 37
2022: Travon Walker, DE, Georgia - Jacksonville Jaguars
6 / 37
2021: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson - Jacksonville Jaguars
7 / 37
2020: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU - Cincinnati Bengals
8 / 37
2019: Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma - Arizona Cardinals
9 / 37
2018: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma - Cleveland Browns
10 / 37
2017: Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M - Cleveland Browns
11 / 37
2016: Jared Goff, QB, Cal - Los Angeles Rams
12 / 37
2015: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
13 / 37
2014: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina - Houston Texans
14 / 37
2009: Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia - Detroit Lions
15 / 37
2008: Jake Long, OT, Michigan - Miami Dolphins
16 / 37
2007: JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU - Oakland Raiders
17 / 37
2004: Eli Manning, QB, Ole Miss - San Diego Chargers (traded to New York Giants)
18 / 37
2003: Carson Palmer, QB, USC - Cincinnati Bengals
19 / 37
2002: David Carr, QB, Fresno State - Houston Texans
20 / 37
2001: Michael Vick, QB, Virginia Tech - Atlanta Falcons
21 / 37
2000: Courtney Brown, DE, Penn State - Cleveland Browns
22 / 37
1999: Tim Couch, QB, Kentucky - Cleveland Browns
23 / 37
1998: Peyton Manning, QB, Tennessee - Indianapolis Colts
24 / 37
1997: Orlando Pace, OT, Ohio State - St. Louis Rams
25 / 37
1996: Keyshawn Johnson, WR, USC - New York Jets
26 / 37
1995: Ki-Jana Carter, RB, Penn State - Cincinnati Bengals
27 / 37
1994: Dan Wilkinson, DT, Ohio State - Cincinnati Bengals
28 / 37
1992: Steve Emtman, DT, Washington - Indianapolis Colts
29 / 37
1991: Russell Maryland, DT, Miami - Dallas Cowboys
30 / 37
1990: Jeff George, QB, Illinois - Indianapolis Colts
31 / 37
1989: Troy Aikman, QB, UCLA - Dallas Cowboys
32 / 37
1988: Aundray Bruce, LB, Auburn - Atlanta Falcons
33 / 37
1987: Vinny Testaverde, QB, Miami - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
34 / 37
1986: Bo Jackson, RB, Auburn - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (did not sign, later joined Los Angeles Raiders)
35 / 37
1985: Bruce Smith, DE, Virginia Tech - Buffalo Bills
36 / 37
1984: Irving Fryar, WR, Nebraska - New England Patriots
37 / 37
1983: John Elway, QB, Stanford - Baltimore Colts (traded to Denver Broncos)
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 β plus Washington's Jayden Daniels β 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 β after finishing last season as the QB3 β 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.
And finally, here are the quarterbacks we like better than the early consensus rankings on FantasyPros.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 fantasy football QB rankings: Josh Allen an easy pick at No. 1