Where Would Fernando Mendoza Rank in 2024 QB Class?

Few would argue that the 2026 quarterback class is one of the weakest in recent memory.

Indiana's Fernando Mendoza is the clear-cut No. 1 passer, but there's a steep drop-off between him and Ty Simpson, who most scouts consider to be the QB2 in the 2026 draft.

But where would Mendoza, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, rank had he come out in a loaded quarterback class like the 2024 draft, which featured Caleb Williams (No. 1 overall to the Chicago Bears), Jayden Daniels (No. 2 overall to the Washington Commanders), Drake Maye (No. 3 overall to the New England Patriots), Michael Penix Jr. (No. 8 overall to the Atlanta Falcons), J.J. McCarthy (No. 10 overall to the Minnesota Vikings), and Bo Nix (No. 12 overall to the Denver Broncos)?

According to what Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports has been hearing, Mendoza would have gone pretty early in that draft as well.

"The 2026 NFL Draft has a few things working against it," Sullivan wrote. "First off, the talent pool isn’t as stocked as prior years, especially at quarterback. While Fernando Mendoza is slated to be the No. 1 overall pick, some of that is due to circumstance.

"For instance, various evaluators noted throughout the pre-draft process that the Indiana QB would’ve been QB4 in the 2024 class behind the likes of Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye, but above Bo Nix. That’s not to say that Mendoza won’t make an impact once he gets to the league (I believe he will), but it simply highlights the lower ceiling this entire class is projected to have."

Maye (4,394 yards, 31 touchdown), Williams (3,942 yards, 27 touchdowns), and Nix (3,931 yards, 5 touchdowns) all ranked in the top 10 in passing last season.

Maye led the Patriots to the Super Bowl, Williams led the Bears to the No. 2 seed in the NFC, and Nix led the Broncos to the No. 1 seed in the AFC in 2025.

If Mendoza plays as well as any of the trio by Year 2, the Las Vegas Raiders will have hit a home run with the No. 1 overall pick this year.

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This story was originally published April 20, 2026 at 3:55 PM.