2026 NFL scouting combine rankings: Quarterbacks

The NFL Draft season ramps up significantly on Thursday, February 26. The beginning of the NFL Scouting Combine. Often referred to as the underwear Olympics, the Combine is the first real chance teams have to get their hands on these prospects.

The Combine is as much about the interactions had as it is about the physical performances. The Quarterbacks will get their time to perform on Saturday February 28.

The following is a list of Quarterbacks that have been invited to the Scouting Combine as well as a list of the remaining draft eligible quarterbacks who were not invited. Full name, school, height, weight and projected draft position range have been included for both lists.

The height and weight measurements are subject to change as measurables are major components of the Combine. The sizes included will be close but cannot be deemed official until the Combine measurements. In addition, 40 times, bench press, and various timed drills will be information gained during the Scouting Combine.

The invitee list includes many names expected to be drafted based on various projections that are also subject to change. Players towards the bottom of the invitee list are projected low based on factors they need to show, not red flags or long-term concerns. Mendoza and Simpson are the only prospects expected to hear their name called on the first day, and Simpson is not necessarily a lock for the first round in February.  

2026 Scouting Combine Quarterback invitees

The second list includes the names of draft eligible players expected to be in the mix for the NFL Draft, they just weren’t invited to the Combine. Not all of these names currently project as exclusively end of the Draft prospects, but many do.

Whether that is due to team metrics like a lack of wins (Kaidon Salter, Brayson James) or lower competition level (Jake Retzlaff, Matthew Sluka), these players did not receive a Combine invite.

Draft Eligible Quarterbacks not invited to the Combine

The 2026 NFL Draft quarterback class turned out to be far less exciting that it was predicted to be a year ago. Some of that has to do with names like Arch Manning, Dante Moore and LaNorris Sellers choosing to stay in college. The other major factor is the top end doesn’t look like many expected it to look.

Garrett Nussmeier, Drew Allar, Cade Klubnik were supposed to be the first-round prospects from this class. Fernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson were never expected to be in this position. As the 2025 season played out, those expected top players had bad or injured seasons.

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The quarterbacks will be worth paying attention to at the Combine. The Raiders with the top overall pick might be the only team that doesn’t need to pay attention. Currently, there is not analyst or expert willing to attach their name to Mendoza going anywhere but No. 1. For every other interested team, the way quarterbacks 2-30 look should be of interest.

Fernando Mendoza is the only prospect at this stage to officially confirm that he does not intend on throwing at the Combine. He will instead, throw at the Indiana Pro Day. Where his throwing can benefit his teammates. 

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