Arch Manning and other top rookie QBs on the Rams radar for the 2026 NFL Draft

(9) - Arkansas QB Taylen Green

The Rams love to add rookie prospects who transfer from smaller college football programs to larger college football programs and continue to flourish. That being said, you have to place former Boise State-turned Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green on the Rams radar. Green boasts an incredible stature of 6-foot-6, while tipping the scales at 230 pounds. He was not a standout with Boise State, but he did position himself to be a rising star with an impressive season with the Arkansas Razorbacks in 2024.

Green is entering his fifth season of college football, but to be considered one of the top quarterback prospects of the 2026 NFL Draft, he will need to show up in a big way this season for the Razorback, and then perform well in one of the post-season feature bowls that give rookie prospects a chance to shine against the nation's top competitors.

Green is on track to deliver.

Viewed as one of the most athletic quarterbacks in the queue for the 2026 NFL Draft, Green offers NFL offenses passing and running skills. In 2024, he threw for 3,154 yards, 15 touchdowns, and nine interceptions while rushing for 602 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. To secure a top-tier draft projection Green need to increase passing yards and touchdowns, while limiting turnovers. If he can do that, he could hear his name called out on Day 1.

Projection: Round 4

(10) - Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza

The jury is split on former California-to-Indiana Hoosiers rookie quarterback prospect Fernando Mendoza. On some draft boards, the third-year college football prospect is only projected in the 2027 NFL Draft. But some draft analysts believe that the Indiana quarterback will forego his final year of college football eligibility. If that happens, some draft analysts project him off the 2026 NFL Draft board as early as Round 1. And at 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, that may happen.

The Rams are likely to already have Mendoza in their sights. He played two seasons for the California Golden Bears, finishing with a 66.5 percent completion rate, 4,712 passing yards, 30 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. The best part if his collegiate career is the fact that all of his numbes are trending in a positive direction.

What do some draft analysts say about Fernando Mendoza?

"At 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, Mendoza looks like an NFL quarterback but really has a chance to elevate his stock by playing in the Big Ten after a quality campaign as a starter with the California Golden Bears. He has a bit of moxy and could be the actual long-term Big Ben successor in Pittsburgh. "

SI's Bryan Fischer

Some way-too-early 2026 mock drafts have Mendoza off the board in Round 1. He hasn't earned that projection yet, but if he has a solid season in 2025, he could get there by draft day.

Projection: Day 2 in 2026 NFL Draft