NFL Draft Watch: Fernando Mendoza Stands Alone, But Could the Jets Still Take a Swing at QB?
As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, the quarterback conversation is starting to sound like a one-man show. According to longtime draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah, Cal’s Fernando Mendoza is the only signal-caller in this class who deserves to hear his name called in the first round - and he might not be waiting long. Jeremiah believes Mendoza is a strong candidate to go No. 1 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders, a team hungry for a franchise quarterback and holding the top pick.
But Mendoza isn’t the only name in the mix - at least not in the eyes of every evaluator. The New York Jets, armed with two first-round picks (No. 2 and No. 16), are also in the market for a quarterback. The team’s need under center is no secret, and with that No. 16 pick, there’s been plenty of chatter about whether they’ll take a swing at a QB who isn’t named Mendoza.
Alabama’s Ty Simpson has been a popular projection in that spot in recent mock drafts. The former Crimson Tide starter is coming off a solid season and has consistently been ranked as the second-best quarterback in this draft class. But Jeremiah isn’t buying the first-round hype for Simpson - or any other quarterback outside of Mendoza.
“I know quarterback is a huge need for the Jets, but I don’t see a QB worthy of the 16th overall pick this year,” Jeremiah wrote.
That’s a strong stance, especially when you consider the Jets’ situation. They’ve got the draft capital.
They’ve got the need. But the class might not have the depth.
And that’s where things get tricky.
Simpson’s résumé isn’t without merit. He led Alabama with poise, showed flashes of high-level arm talent, and proved he can handle the pressure of playing in the SEC. While he may not have the elite traits that scream “top-10 pick,” there’s enough there to suggest he could develop into a capable starter at the next level.
Still, some analysts see Simpson as more of a Day 2 pick - and that’s where the Jets could come back into play. ESPN’s Matt Miller recently slotted Simpson to New York in the second round at No. 44 overall, a spot that feels more in line with how teams might actually value him come draft day.
The next big step for Simpson - and for every draft-eligible quarterback - comes next week at the NFL Combine. He’s received an invite, and he’ll get the chance to showcase his arm, his athleticism, and perhaps most importantly, his ability to separate himself from the rest of this year’s quarterback crop.
For now, though, the narrative is clear: Mendoza is the headliner. Everyone else is playing catch-up.
And for teams like the Jets, that means tough decisions lie ahead. Do you reach for a quarterback because you need one, or do you stay patient and hope value meets need in the later rounds?
The Combine could shake things up. But as it stands, there’s one quarterback at the top - and a whole lot of questions after that.