The New York Jets are heading toward the 2026 NFL Draft with a rare kind of leverage - two first-round picks currently projected at No. 7 and No. 18 overall. And while their Week 14 loss to the Dolphins dropped them to 3-10, it didn’t move the needle on their draft position. That seventh pick remains locked in - for now.
What makes this situation especially intriguing is the flexibility it gives GM Darren Mougey heading into what could be a franchise-defining offseason. With three more first-rounders lined up for 2027 - thanks to the trades involving Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams - the Jets are sitting on a war chest of draft capital. That’s the kind of ammo that allows you to get aggressive, especially if there's a quarterback you believe in at the top of the board.
And right now, Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza is making a strong case to be that guy.
Mendoza has been turning heads with his poise, arm talent, and decision-making - the kind of traits that tend to rise up draft boards as we get closer to April. He’s not just putting up numbers; he’s showing the kind of command that NFL scouts love to see in a college quarterback. If he keeps trending in this direction, he could be the name teams are scrambling to move up for.
For the Jets, that possibility opens a fascinating debate. Do they stay put and hope a top QB falls into their lap? Or do they package those picks - and maybe dip into that 2027 stash - to go get their guy?
It’s not just about finding a quarterback. It’s about resetting the direction of the franchise.
The Jets have been stuck in quarterback purgatory for years, cycling through short-term fixes and unproven prospects. If they believe Mendoza - or any top QB prospect - can be the long-term answer, this is the moment to make a move.
Of course, there’s still a lot of football left, and the draft order is far from settled. But the Jets are in a position most front offices dream of: multiple high picks, future draft flexibility, and a clear need at the most important position in the sport.
The question now is whether they’ll use that power to finally solve their quarterback puzzle - or let another team beat them to it.