Why the Jets Don’t Need a Top-5 Pick to Find Their Quarterback of the Future
Jets fans have been here before-the offseason quarterback conversation, the draft boards, the anticipation, the frustration. And with Oregon quarterback Dante Moore announcing his return to college, that familiar sense of dread is starting to creep back in.
But here’s the thing: the idea that the Jets must land a top-two pick to find their franchise quarterback? That’s a myth.
And it’s time to move past it.
Yes, 2021 still stings. The Jets missed out on Trevor Lawrence by a single pick and ended up taking Zach Wilson.
That decision didn’t pan out, and it’s fair to say the franchise paid the price. But it’s important to recognize that the 2021 draft was more the exception than the rule.
Not every elite quarterback comes from the top of the board-and history backs that up.
The Blueprint Already Exists
Take a look around the NFL. Patrick Mahomes went 10th overall.
Josh Allen? Seventh.
Justin Herbert? Sixth.
Lamar Jackson? He was the final pick of the first round.
And then there’s Jalen Hurts (second round), Dak Prescott (fourth round), and Brock Purdy, who was famously the last player taken in his draft class.
The point is clear: elite quarterbacks can be found outside the top five-and even outside the first round. It’s not about where you pick; it’s about picking the right guy and putting him in the right situation.
The Jets, as it stands, are in a strong position to do exactly that. Over the next two years, they hold five first-round picks and three second-rounders. That’s a treasure chest of draft capital-enough to find their quarterback and surround him with the kind of talent that makes life easier for a young signal-caller.
This Class Has Options-Just Not the Obvious Ones
The 2026 quarterback class may lack a clear-cut, can’t-miss No. 1 overall type, but that doesn’t mean it’s devoid of talent. It just means the Jets might need to dig a little deeper-and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Names like Ole Miss’ Trinidad Chambliss and Alabama’s Ty Simpson don’t carry the same national buzz as a Caleb Williams or a Trevor Lawrence, but in the right system, with the right coaching and supporting cast, they could absolutely develop into high-level starters. Clemson’s Cade Klubnik and Miami’s Carson Beck are also intriguing prospects who’ve shown flashes of NFL-caliber play.
What matters more than raw arm strength or 40-yard dash times is how a quarterback fits into the Jets’ offensive philosophy-and whether he brings the leadership and mental makeup to thrive in the New York spotlight. If the Jets identify that guy, they don’t have to reach for him at No.
- They can trade back, stack talent, and still get their quarterback in the second round or later.
It’s a strategy that worked beautifully for the Eagles when they took Hurts in the second round while continuing to build out a complete roster. That same playbook could be in reach for Gang Green.
A New Path Forward
Dante Moore staying in school might feel like a setback, but it could actually open the door for the Jets to think differently. This isn’t about chasing the biggest name anymore. It’s about building a sustainable foundation-and that starts with using their draft capital wisely.
The Jets don’t need to force a quarterback pick at the top of the draft just to check a box. They can use those high picks to secure elite talent at other positions-offensive line, edge rusher, wide receiver-and still find their quarterback later on.
And with the right infrastructure in place, that quarterback won’t have to be a superhero from Day 1. He’ll have help.
The idea that only top-five quarterbacks succeed just doesn’t hold up anymore. What matters is fit, development, and support. And right now, the Jets have the resources to provide all three.
So no, the sky isn’t falling. Moore’s return to college doesn’t doom the Jets.
In fact, it might just push them to find a smarter, more strategic way forward. And if they play their cards right, that could be the beginning of something special.