Pro Comparisons for Top 2026 Quarterback Prospects

The NFL Draft is the most anticipated weekend of the offseason, particularly the first round. The 2026 class has plenty of blue-chip talent across various positions. Quarterbacks always capture the headlines leading up to the draft, and this year will be no exception. After a relatively thin class in 2025, 2026 should have several signal-callers taken off the board in the first round. Projecting how college quarterbacks will perform on Sundays is tricky. There are several factors, most notably the team they have around them. One way to evaluate quarterback prospects is to offer pro comparisons. Comparing a college prospect to an NFL quarterback doesn’t necessarily mean they will find the same success. The prospect may be better or worse than their professional counterpart. Comparisons are based on traits and style of play. Who are the top quarterbacks in the 2026 class, and who do they resemble in the NFL?

2026 NFL Draft: Pro Comparisons for Top Quarterback Prospects

Fernando Mendoza: Jared Goff

Mendoza has skyrocketed up draft boards and is widely viewed as the first-overall pick in 2026. He’s a Heisman frontrunner who showed his composure under pressure in a thrilling win over Penn State. His game is more old-school, winning mostly from the pocket. Similar to Goff, he excels at passes over the middle of the field and displays excellent accuracy. While a decent athlete, Mendoza isn’t a player who consistently scares defenses with his legs. He’s a polished pocket passer with a high floor, similar to Goff.

Ty Simpson: C.J. Stroud

Like Mendoza, Simpson has been one of the biggest risers among college quarterbacks. In his first season as a starter, he has thrown 21 touchdowns to just one interception in nine games. Simpson is also a traditional pocket passer who displays impressive arm strength to make more difficult throws. Stroud had one of the greatest rookie seasons in NFL history, showing tremendous poise despite his lack of experience. He was comfortable making dangerous throws into traffic early in his career. Simpson is a player with a high floor who can thrive immediately at the next level.

Dante Moore: Jayden Daniels

Moore has lived up to the expectation of being a five-star prospect coming out of high school. His accuracy has improved dramatically since his freshman campaign at UCLA, with him completing over 70% of his passes this season. Moore is an incredible vertical passer, possessing the arm talent to make any throw he’s asked. He has plus mobility, allowing him to scramble when plays break down and pick up yards on the ground. Daniels is also a dangerous vertical passer who poses a threat as a runner. Like Daniels, Moore has a smaller frame for a quarterback, which raises durability concerns.

LaNorris Sellers: Josh Allen

Drawing comparisons to Josh Allen is complicated. Allen was a high-ceiling, low-floor prospect back in 2018. Fortunately for Buffalo, the risk paid off, and he’s developed into an elite quarterback. Sellers is an incredible athlete who beats defenders with both speed and power as a scrambler. He has the ideal frame for a franchise quarterback and one of the strongest arms in the nation. While the talent is all there, Sellers can be hit or miss when it comes to accuracy. He hasn’t had a great 2025 season, but Allen wasn’t a super productive college quarterback. Anthony Richardson was another boom-or-bust prospect, although his career has gone in the opposite direction from Allen’s. Whoever drafts Sellers is banking on a combination of elite traits and proper development.