There is no doubt that the upcoming Draft has taken a drastic turn for the worse in terms of quarterback talent. A year ago, the 2026 class was expected to be an intriguing group at the position, led by Arch Manning, Drew Allar, and Cade Klubnik, among others. However, Manning will return to the NCAA, and while Allar and Klubnik will be eligible, they are not projected to be high draft picks.
Last season was similar: there was not much talent available. Cam Ward was the only clear standout, going first overall to the Tennessee Titans, while Shedeur Sanders fell to the fifth round. The rookies who performed best were Jaxson Dart, a first-round pick by the Giants, and Tyler Shough, selected in the second round by the New Orleans Saints.
In this Draft, the only quarterback clearly projected as a first-rounder and likely the first overall selection is Fernando Mendoza, who, against all odds, emerged as the top talent in the class. However, Ty Simpson from the University of Alabama has been gaining momentum, and it would not be surprising if a team selects him on the first day of the Draft.
The Jets hope to land Fernando Mendoza
The Las Vegas Raiders, who hold the No. 1 overall pick, clearly need a quarterback, making Fernando Mendoza their primary target. However, they could receive trade offers for that pick, including from the New York Jets, who also need a quarterback. The issue is that the Jets hold the No. 2 pick, and there is no other quarterback worth the risk at that spot.
New York Jets general manager Darren Mougey admitted that the team would be interested in making a trade with the Raiders to move up one spot, though he acknowledged it would be difficult: “Of course, we’ll talk about all of that, but I don’t think that will happen,” Mougey said.
The Jets own the No. 2 and No. 16 picks in the first round, giving them strong draft capital to pursue a trade with the Raiders. However, it appears Las Vegas is fully committed to Fernando Mendoza, and although there are doubts about starting him in Week 1, it seems inevitable they will select him with the first overall pick.
The Jets are once again in full rebuild mode and are urgently in need of a quarterback. They were dealt a blow when Oregon quarterback Dante Moore decided to return for another college season. With the 16th pick, the Jets could target Ty Simpson or remain patient and select Drew Allar. It will be interesting to see how Darren Mougey and company maneuver their strategy.
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