Mock Draft Buzz: Jets Eye Franchise QB in Potential Blockbuster Trade with Giants
With the 2025 NFL regular season winding down and the draft picture starting to take shape, the New York football landscape is heating up - and not just because of the standings. According to ESPN’s latest mock draft from Field Yates, there's a potential shake-up brewing at the very top of the board.
Right now, the Giants hold the No. 1 overall pick in next year’s NFL Draft. But in Yates’ projection, they’re not staying put.
Instead, he has the Giants swinging a high-stakes deal with their stadium co-tenants, the Jets - a move that would send three picks, including two first-rounders, to Big Blue in exchange for the top selection. The prize for Gang Green?
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the current Heisman Trophy frontrunner and the face of one of college football’s most compelling storylines this season.
Why the Jets Would Go All-In for Mendoza
Let’s be honest - the Jets have been searching for their next true franchise quarterback for what feels like decades. Mendoza checks just about every box. At 6-foot-5 with a strong arm, poise under pressure, and the kind of charisma that lights up a locker room, he’s the kind of player you build a team around.
This season, Mendoza has been nothing short of electric. He’s thrown 33 touchdowns to just six interceptions, racking up 2,980 passing yards while leading Indiana to a perfect 13-0 record.
That includes a gritty 13-10 win over Ohio State in the Big Ten title game - a performance that not only solidified the Hoosiers’ No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff, but also turned Mendoza into a viral sensation thanks to his emotional postgame interview. The moment captured everything teams love to see in a quarterback: heart, leadership, and a little bit of swagger.
For the Jets, who are still trying to stabilize the position long-term, this kind of move makes sense. It’s bold.
It’s aggressive. And if Mendoza lives up to the hype, it could be a franchise-altering decision.
Where the Giants Go From There
On the flip side, the Giants already believe they’ve got their guy under center in Jaxson Dart. That gives them flexibility - and in Yates’ scenario, they use it to stockpile picks and still land a potential difference-maker at No. 7 in Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson.
Tyson has been a standout this season, hauling in 61 receptions for 711 yards and eight touchdowns. At 6-foot-2, he brings size, athleticism, and the kind of route-running polish that could make him a valuable weapon in the Giants’ evolving offense. Pairing Dart with a target like Tyson could be the next step in New York’s plan to build a more dynamic passing attack.
Other Key Names in the Mix
Behind Mendoza, Yates projects the Las Vegas Raiders to take Oregon quarterback Dante Moore at No. 2 - another high-upside passer who’s been climbing draft boards. At No. 3, the Tennessee Titans are pegged to grab Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reece, a disruptive force with 6.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss this season.
Interestingly, in another mock draft from Tankathon, the Giants are projected to stay at No. 1 and take Reece themselves, while the Jets, picking at No. 7, would go with Tyson. That version assumes no trade happens, but Yates’ scenario offers a more dramatic - and potentially more impactful - path forward for both franchises.
What It All Means
Mock drafts are always fluid, but this one gives us a glimpse into how the top of the board could unfold - and how two New York teams might end up shaping the early narrative of the 2026 NFL Draft.
If the Jets believe Mendoza is the guy, then this is the kind of aggressive move that could finally stabilize the most important position in football. And for the Giants, moving down while still adding offensive firepower - plus extra draft capital - could be a win-win.
There’s still a lot of football left to be played, both in the NFL and the College Football Playoff. But if this mock draft is any indication, the offseason drama is already starting to pick up - and New York might be right at the center of it.