ESPN's Jordan Reid updated his 2026 NFL draft quarterback Hot Board, ranking the top 12 passers. Indiana's Fernando Mendoza claims the top spot after a Heisman-winning season, followed by Alabama's Ty Simpson. Six QBs from the initial list were removed, with four new names added as the early-entry deadline passed.

Mendoza's surge from a Cal transfer to a projected No. 1 overall pick is dramatic. He threw for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns, leading Indiana to its first national championship. His toughness in big moments, like a game-winning drive at Penn State, has scouts taking notice. Simpson, meanwhile, excels with his pocket awareness and pre-snap command.

The board is fluid. Pro days, the combine, and all-star events will reshape these rankings before the April 23 draft in Pittsburgh. Mendoza's primary development point is working from under center, as he operated almost exclusively from shotgun this season. The class could still change, pending eligibility decisions like Ole Miss's Trinidad Chambliss.