The 2026 NFL Draft is rapidly approaching, and the narrative surrounding the quarterback position feels like a repeat of last year, only with much higher stakes and a lot more skepticism. Just as Cam Ward was the undisputed prize of the 2025 class, this year’s board begins and ends with Fernando Mendoza.
Fresh off a historic Heisman win and a national title at Indiana, Mendoza is widely considered a “lock” for the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 1 overall. For Raiders fans, the selection brings a mix of euphoria and trauma; the last time the Silver and Black held the top pick, they drafted JaMarcus Russell in 2007, a move that set the franchise back for a decade.
Beyond Mendoza, however, the talent pool thins out drastically. Teams like the Jets, Cardinals, and Dolphins are desperate for a signal-caller, but with a board that offers more question marks than exclamation points, many analysts expect these front offices to keep their cards close to their vests until the later rounds.
Cam Newton Rips 2026 QB Class as the Worst in Decades
The “Worst Draft Class” label is a heavy one to carry, but former NFL MVP Cam Newton isn’t doing the 2026 prospects any favors. In a recent breakdown that has set social media ablaze, Newton took aim at the projected top two quarterbacks: Mendoza and Alabama’s Ty Simpson.
Newton’s critique centered on a perceived lack of “game-breaking” athleticism, particularly regarding Mendoza. Despite his 6’5″ frame and elite processing, critics like Newton argue that Mendoza is more of a high-end “game manager” in the mold of Jared Goff rather than a modern, dual-threat weapon.
Newton’s assessment suggests that while Mendoza’s accuracy is pro-ready, his “straight-line” speed and lack of agility could make him a sitting duck in a collapsing NFL pocket.
The skepticism extends to Ty Simpson as well. While Simpson has shown flashes of brilliance under pressure, his consistency has been a point of contention throughout the scouting process. While names like Diego Pavia and Drew Allar are floating around as potential risers, the reality is that many scouts view this group as a “one-player show.” If you aren’t picking first, you’re essentially gambling on a project rather than a finished product.
Comparing 2026 to the Draft Busts of 2021 and 2022
History tells us that “weak” classes often lead to desperate reaches, and we’ve seen this movie before. The 2026 cycle is already being compared to the 2021 draft, which saw five quarterbacks taken in the first round (Lawrence, Wilson, Lance, Fields, Jones), only for most to flame out or struggle with consistency.
It also mirrors the 2022 class, where Kenny Pickett was the lone first-round signal caller in a year that was universally panned for its lack of elite arm talent. Even the 2025 class had its share of detractors who felt the talent was top-heavy.
For teams like the New York Jets, who are still reeling from the failed Aaron Rodgers and Justin Field experiments, or the Miami Dolphins, who need a long-term contingency plan as they are set to move from Tua Tagovailoa, the 2026 draft presents a massive risk.
If you can’t get Mendoza, do you really want to spend a first-round pick on Ty Simpson or a “toolsy” project who might never pan out? The Raiders are in a unique position where they have to take the swing on Mendoza to wash away the ghosts of JaMarcus Russell, but for the rest of the league, the smart play might be to address the offensive line and wait for a 2027 class that already looks more promising.
