The 2026 NFL Draft quarterback class is being described as thin — and thin at the top specifically — in ways that will have real consequences for organizations that enter April without a solution at the position.

Indiana's Fernando Mendoza is the consensus top quarterback in the class after leading the Hoosiers to an undefeated season and a national championship. His combine week has been measured and professional — no splashy throwing session numbers, no moments that will be replayed on highlight reels — which is typically what you want from a player who already has consensus first-overall support. The Texans hold the first pick and have been publicly noncommittal, which is standard operating procedure for teams in their position. Mendoza goes first unless something unusual happens between now and April.

The gap between Mendoza and the rest of the class is notable. Shedeur Sanders finished the 2025 season as the Colorado starter with numbers that, in another year, might generate first-round discussion. In this class, he's a Day 2 prospect — a player with real upside and real questions about whether the college production translates, compiling in a system built around his specific strengths. Teams picking in the late first round who need a quarterback will be doing detailed work on Sanders between now and April 24.

What this means practically: the six to eight teams entering the offseason with legitimate quarterback questions will not all solve those problems in the draft. Some of them will go into 2026 with veteran starters acquired through trade or free agency. Sam Darnold, who led Minnesota to the NFC Championship game before injuring his shoulder in January, will draw significant interest if he becomes available through trade. The market for quarterbacks who can function as starters right now — not prospects, starters — will be among the most competitive segments of the 2026 offseason.