2026 NFL Draft Class: Fantasy Football Outlooks for Every Rookie Quarterback

The 2026 NFL Draft is in the books, so now it's time to turn our attention to the upcoming fantasy football season. 

In the spirit of the draft, let's continue breaking down landing spots and fantasy outlooks for recently drafted players. We looked at things for first-round offensive playmakers a couple days ago, but are going to break things down by position now.

Of course, quarterbacks are up first! Check back in the days to come for more rookie breakdowns/fantasy outlooks!

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Fernando Mendoza - Las Vegas Raiders

Of course, Mendoza was the first pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. That was expected, and everything after that was the really fun and exciting part of the draft.

You'd think the No. 1 pick would be a shoe-in to start right away, but Las Vegas is expecting Kirk Cousins to lead the team to open the season. Las Vegas might be happiest competing all year with Cousins, then having Mendoza take over in 2027.

That leaves Mendoza with absolutely no fantasy value for 2026. Right now, he's just worth stashing in deeper redraft leagues. He can be added in more redraft leagues if/when he takes over as the starter.

Mendoza's fantasy value is highest in dynasty/keeper leagues. He'll start without a doubt down the line, but the Raiders aren't going to rush him into things if they don't have to, so don't expect a ton out of the Indiana grad in 2026.

Ty Simpson - Los Angeles Rams

Simpson was maybe the biggest surprise in the draft, and especially in round 1, going 13th overall to the Super Bowl-contending Rams.

LA could have added some help for the 2026 team, but instead looked toward their future a bit. Matthew Stafford is the team's quarterback, and that will remain true for as long as he wants to play.

That gives Simpson time to learn under Stafford and coach Sean McVay. It's the Packers' approach, and might keep the Rams competitive for the long haul, instead of hitting a road bump after Stafford retires.

So again, there's not much fantasy value in Simpson for 2026, but he has a good long-term outlook, so stash him in dynasty/keeper leagues.

Carson Beck - Arizona Cardinals

Beck was the next quarterback off the board, going 65th overall to the Cardinals - that was the first pick in round 3.

Beck joins a QB room in Arizona that's led by Jacoby Brissett. Gardner Minshew is the top projected backup, and now Beck joins the mix.

I love this landing spot for Beck. Brisssett isn't locked in long term, and it could mean that Beck gets starts right away in 2026. If Brissett plays on his current deal and struggles, then Arizona likely gives Beck a shot.

Right now, there's not a ton of fantasy value in Beck, just in dynasty/keeper leagues, but he's worth watching. He could turn into an option at some point in 2026, and if he excels, be the long-term answer at QB for Arizona.

Drew Allar - Pittsburgh Steelers

Allar was the 76th overall pick in the draft, going to the hosting Steelers.

This was another stellar landing spot for the rookie quarterback. With no word on Aaron Rodgers' potential return to Pittsburgh, Allar will battle Mason Rudolph and Will Howard for the starting job by the looks of it.

Allar could have a chance to start right away in 2026, and he'd definitely be an option at some point in 2026 if he's not the starter in week 1.

His long-term outlook is pretty solid, but he'll of course need to be starting to have value in all leagues. Allar is a name to keep an eye on, especially if the Steelers don't bring in a veteran quarterback.

Cade Klubnik - New York Jets

Klubnik was the fifth QB taken, going No. 110 overall, which is round 4.

I also like this landing spot, as Geno Smith is the tabbed starting quarterback right now. Klubnik has a good chance to be ahead of Brady Cook and Bailey Zappe on the depth chart otherwise.

Smith might start the year, but if he or the Jets struggle, Klubnik could get a crack at things. That makes his long-term outlook somewhat intriguing, even for being a mid-round pick.

Maybe Klubnik could be the Jets' long-awaited answer at quarterback.

Cole Payton - Philadelphia Eagles

Payton was next off the board, going No. 178 (round 5) to the Eagles.

This was an interesting pick to me. Philly has Jalen Hurts as the starter, but Tanner McKee and Andy Dalton as backups, so Payton looks like QB4.

The team must like Payton, and I'm not going to second guess their decisions, as they are an organization that drafts and develops well. If Hurts were to fizzle out, maybe Payton gets a shot at the starting role in Philly at some point.

If Payton shows out in the preseason, and any other game action he gets, maybe the Eagles can flip him for a pick in a future draft. So I wouldn't write off Payton just because he's buried on the depth chart right now.

Taylen Green - Cleveland Browns

Green was the first pick in round 6, going No. 182 overall to Cleveland.

It was another interesting pick with Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel and Deshaun Watson all around. Green might be QB4 for now, but could move up the depth chart in time.

Of course, none of those three QBs ahead of Green are locked in as the starting quarterback, so Green is one to watch in camp and the preseason. Maybe he's the next late-round QB steal, and turns into a good pro.

Athan Kaliakmanis - Washington Commanders

Kaliakmanis was one of three seventh-round picks at quarterback. He went No. 223 to Washington.

This is just a depth move for Washington, who is led by Jayden Daniels. Marcus Mariota is the top backup for now.

Kaliakmanis could move up the depth chart in time if the team moves on from Mariota, but then he'd need an injury to Daniels to get on the field. Injuries are a big part of the equation with Daniels, so we'll see if Kaliakmanis ever gets a chance to play and takes advantage of his opportunity. 

Behren Morton - New England Patriots

Morton went 234th to the Patriots.

This is another depth move, as Drake Maye is the locked-in franchise starting QB. Tommy DeVito is the top backup, and the only other QB on the roster, so this was a good landing spot for Morton.

It'd take an injury, or two, to get him on the field in 2026, but maybe he can show enough in his time on the field to be traded to a QB-needy team. I'm not holding my breath on Morton though, although crazier things have happened.

Garrett Nussmeier - Kansas City Chiefs

Nussmeier was another surprising pick, but going way later than expected. He was the No. 249 pick to Kansas City.

He might have waited a while to be drafted, but the landing spot was perfect. With Patrick Mahomes working his way back from a serious injury, there's a legit chance that Nussmeier starts regular season games early in 2026.

Nussmeier will have to beat out Justin Fields for the fill-in starting QB role, but that's not super crazy to think the rookie could win the role. Chris Oladokun and Jake Haener are also on the Chiefs' roster, so they are options, but below Fields and Nussmeier.

We'll keep tabs on Mahomes' progress and let you know if Fields or Nussmeier are going to get any early-season starts for the Chiefs. This is Mahomes' team for the long haul, but Nussmeier could do enough in the preseason/early season to get a trade to a place that needs a QB, so don't write him off just because he was a seventh-round pick.