The 2026 NFL Draft is quickly approaching, and it'd be a monumental surprise if Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza didn't hear his name called No. 1 overall by the Las Vegas Raiders.
The real question feels like who could be the second QB taken off the board after the Heisman Trophy winner. Of the last 12 drafts, 2022 was the only one in which just one QB (Kenny Pickett) went in round one. This year, many mock drafts have Alabama's Ty Simpson as the second QB picked, going anywhere from the late first round to the middle of the second.
Other names to watch at the QB position later on include LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, Taylen Green of Arkansas, and Miami’s Carson Beck.
With that in mind, let’s discuss and rank who could be the second QB drafted behind Fernando Mendoza in the 2026 NFL Draft, including each player's payouts for NFL Draft predictions on PrizePicks Team Picks.
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Second QB Drafted in 2026 NFL Draft, Payouts
Here are the payouts for the top signal-callers to be the second QB drafted in next week’s 2026 NFL Draft, via PrizePicks Team Picks.
All 2026 NFL Draft payout data is from PrizePicks Team Picks. It's live as of writing but is subject to change.
- Ty Simpson (Alabama): 1.03x
- Drew Allar (Penn State): 1.09x
- Cade Klubnik (Clemson): 1.09x
- Luke Altmyer (Illinois): 1.11x
- Cole Payton (North Dakota State): 3.57x
- Taylen Green (Arkansas): 5.55x
- Garrett Nussmeier (LSU): 5.88x
Top QB Prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft After Fernando Mendoza
Here's a grouping of the top QBs that may be left in the 2026 NFL Draft after the Raiders potentially take Mendoza. Below, we'll break down their skill sets, paired with NFL Draft payouts from PrizePicks Team Picks.
Payouts indicate real-money earnings if a 2026 NFL Draft prediction is correct; for example, 2x on a $100 entry would pay out $200 on PrizePicks Team Picks. “Yes” payouts represent a specific outcome occurring, whereas "No" payouts indicate the opposite.
1. Ty Simpson (Alabama)
Drafted in First Round of 2026 NFL Draft: Yes 1.75x | No 2x
The scouting reviews on Alabama’s Ty Simpson are as mixed as his 2025 performance. Considered a frontrunner for the Heisman, Simpson excelled at times, throwing 19 TDs and 1 INT during an eight-game stretch vs. ranked opponents. He also struggled with accuracy late, completing 57.1% of his passes over the final four games of the season with the team going 2-2.
One AFC area scout was quoted as saying, “I wouldn't draft him until Day 2, but I think he has a chance to go in that 20-32 range."
Whoever does decide to draft Simpson is getting an athlete who can navigate the pocket, having done so against SEC defenses. Of his 30 TDs last season, seven of them came when he was out of the pocket.
With that said, Simpson only has 15 career starts, so the amount of experience is not high.
Make Ty Simpson NFL Draft predictions for real money on PrizePicks.
2. Drew Allar (Penn State)
Third QB Drafted in 2026 NFL Draft: Yes 2.22x | No 1.06x
Penn State’s Drew Allar has the prototypical size and arm strength that NFL evaluators like in a QB. He also has plenty of experience, playing in 45 games over his college career and starting 35 of them. Why isn't Allar a slam dunk to be the second QB drafted, then?
His 2025 season was a disappointment. After improving from 2023 to 2024 in completion percentage, passing yards, and rating, Allar’s 2025 started heading south when he threw the game-ending INT vs. Oregon. He then played poorly in losses to UCLA and Northwestern and broke his ankle, missing the rest of the campaign.
Allar did throw well at the combine, but many still have questions on which version of the former Nittany Lions QB is the real one.
Make Drew Allar NFL Draft predictions for real money on PrizePicks.
3. Garrett Nussmeier (LSU)
Second QB Drafted in 2026 NFL Draft: Yes 5.88x
Following a Week 1 win over fourth-ranked Clemson, LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier was the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy. His first four games backed up that status, as he completed nearly 70% of his passes with 6 TDs and 2 INTs.
That’s where it ended, however, as he struggled over the next five games (four losses) while battling injuries that ended his season in November.
Some like Nussmeier's ability to stand in the pocket and deliver with a high degree of accuracy. His 67% completion rate would’ve ranked top-20 if he qualified. Draft analyst Lance Zierlein praises his "legitimate arm talent."
Others question Nussmeier's decision-making, processing, and ball security. Weighing the pro-style readiness against the question marks may determine whether he's a Day 2 or Day 3 pick.
Make Garrett Nussmeier NFL Draft predictions for real money on PrizePicks.
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Make 2026 NFL Draft Predictions on PrizePicks
The QB position on draft night is always intriguing, as we watch intently to see if anyone trades up to grab one. We've seen it before with Patrick Mahomes, Jared Goff, Jordan Love, and others.
Who could that second QB after Fernando Mendoza be? Don’t wait until draft night — make your 2026 NFL Draft picks on PrizePicks now and earn real money if you’re right.
On PrizePicks Team Picks, the possibilities are plentiful. You can make predictions on specific 2026 NFL Draft picks, team selections, position groups, and more. Additionally, the NFL tab is already open with Super Bowl LXI winner picks available.
Keep it right here with the Playbook for continued NFL predictions, picks, news, and analysis all year long.
