As we roll into Week 15 of the 2025 NFL season, the playoff picture is starting to take shape-but for teams on the outside looking in, attention is already shifting toward April and the 2026 NFL Draft. Right now, it’s the New York Giants who sit atop the draft order, holding the No. 1 overall pick. But according to a recent mock draft from ESPN’s Field Yates, that pick might not stay in Big Blue’s hands for long.
In Yates’ projection, the Giants make a blockbuster move-sending the top pick across the locker room hallway to the New York Jets. That’s right: a rare intra-stadium trade that would shake up both franchises in a big way.
Let’s unpack it.
The Giants, for their part, may already have their quarterback of the future in Jaxson Dart. The former USC and Ole Miss standout has shown enough flashes this season to suggest he could be the long-term answer under center. That gives the Giants a bit of leverage-and flexibility-as they look to rebuild under new leadership, with Brian Daboll expected to be replaced after a disappointing campaign.
The Jets, on the other hand, are still searching for stability at the quarterback position. This season has been a carousel under center, with Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor, and rookie Brady Cook all taking snaps.
None has solidified themselves as the guy moving forward. That’s why, in Yates’ mock, the Jets make the aggressive move to jump from No. 7 to No. 1 to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
Mendoza has been gaining steam as a top-tier QB prospect, and if the Jets believe he’s the answer, it makes sense to go all-in. But jumping six spots to the top of the draft comes at a steep cost.
While Yates doesn’t outline the exact trade package, history gives us a pretty good idea of what it might take. Think back to 2023, when the Carolina Panthers moved from No. 9 to No. 1 to select Bryce Young.
That deal cost them two first-rounders, two second-rounders, and wide receiver D.J. Moore.
A similar price tag wouldn’t be out of the question here.
For the Giants, that kind of haul could fast-track a full-scale rebuild. With Dart in place, the focus shifts to surrounding him with talent-and in Yates’ scenario, they do just that. With the pick acquired from the Jets, the Giants select Arizona wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, the second wideout off the board behind Ohio State’s Carnell Tate.
Tyson would bring explosiveness and versatility to a Giants offense that’s been lacking both. If Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo can return healthy next season, Dart would suddenly have a dynamic trio of playmakers to work with-a far cry from the patchwork units we’ve seen in recent years.
But let’s not gloss over the elephant in the room: would the Giants and Jets really pull the trigger on a deal of this magnitude? These two franchises share more than just MetLife Stadium-they share a city, a media market, and a long-standing rivalry.
A trade like this would be unprecedented, and the stakes would be sky-high. If Mendoza turns into a star, the Jets would be hailed as visionaries.
If he busts, the Giants would be seen as the savvier organization for cashing in on the hype.
Either way, the back pages of New York’s tabloids would have a field day.
For now, it’s just a mock draft. But as the offseason approaches and quarterback-needy teams start making calls, don’t be surprised if the Giants’ phone rings off the hook. And if the Jets are serious about finding their next franchise QB, they might just be the ones making that call.