Las Vegas Raiders' Fernando Mendoza Ranks as Top NFL Backup Quarterback

Las Vegas Raiders rookie Fernando Mendoza leads the 2026 backup rankings, while Drew Lock and Carson Wentz secured Week 1 victories in relief roles.

Las Vegas Raiders rookie Fernando Mendoza earned the top spot in ESPN analytics writer Seth Walder’s ranking of all 32 NFL backup quarterbacks for the 2026 season. Mendoza, the No. 1 overall draft pick, leads a list that includes Washington’s Marcus Mariota at No. 2 and San Francisco’s Mac Jones at No. 3. Mariota, who signed a one-year, $7 million contract this offseason, recorded a 50.4 QBR in eight starts for the Commanders last year.

The 2026 season opened with immediate contributions from second-string players. Seattle’s Drew Lock posted a 79.9 QBR in a 13-10 victory over the Patriots after Sam Darnold was injured. Similarly, Carson Wentz led the Minnesota Vikings to a comeback win against the Packers, finishing with a 58.9 QBR and a 39-yard touchdown pass to Justin Jefferson following a concussion to Kyler Murray.

In San Francisco, Mac Jones holds the No. 3 ranking after recording a 62.7 QBR and a plus-3% completion percentage over expected while filling in for Brock Purdy for eight games last season. New Orleans Saints backup Spencer Rattler follows at No. 4, showing improvement with a 50.8 QBR and a reduced 9% off-target rate. Atlanta’s Michael Penix Jr. rounds out the top five, despite a career 21% off-target rate and a previous ACL injury.

Other notable rankings include Jameis Winston at No. 6 for the Giants, who has averaged 9.6 air yards per attempt since 2022. Undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels ranks No. 7 for Tampa Bay after winning the backup role over Jake Browning. At the bottom of the list, New England’s Tommy DeVito ranks 31st, while Quinn Ewers of the Jacksonville Jaguars is 32nd. Atlanta’s Cooper Rush, currently starting as the team's QB3, would rank 30th if included in the primary list.