The New York Jets’ quarterback plans took a hit when Oregon’s Dante Moore decided to return to school for another season, removing one of the top signal-callers from the 2026 NFL Draft pool. But that hasn’t stopped the Jets from staying aggressive in ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.'s latest first-round mock draft - and yes, quarterback is still on the table.
With the No. 2 overall pick, Kiper has the Jets pivoting from quarterback to defense, projecting them to select Ohio State linebacker-turned-edge rusher Arvell Reese. It’s a move that speaks volumes about how the Jets might be thinking: if the top-tier quarterback isn’t there, go get a game-wrecker on defense.
Let’s unpack that. The Jets finished 31st in the NFL in sacks last season, managing just 26 as a team.
That’s not going to cut it in a league where pressuring the quarterback is non-negotiable. Will McDonald IV led the team with eight sacks, but no one else had more than four.
That’s a glaring hole, and Reese could be the answer.
Reese made the shift from off-ball linebacker to edge rusher in 2025, and the transition showcased his versatility and explosiveness. He’s got the traits NFL teams covet - speed off the edge, a relentless motor, and the kind of athleticism that can translate quickly at the next level. For a Jets defense that’s struggled to generate consistent pressure, adding someone like Reese could be a foundational move.
But the Jets aren’t ignoring the quarterback position entirely. With the No. 16 pick, Kiper has them selecting Alabama’s Ty Simpson - a player who now finds himself as one of the top available quarterbacks in the class following Moore’s return to Oregon.
Simpson is a bit of a wild card. He’s got just 15 career starts under his belt, and that limited experience is a real concern.
Kiper doesn’t shy away from that, pointing out that Simpson’s play dipped in the second half of the 2025 season. That’s something teams will have to dig into during the pre-draft process.
Was it fatigue? Defensive adjustments?
Or something deeper in his game?
Still, there’s a lot to like. Simpson threw 28 touchdown passes to just five interceptions this past season, and he’s shown strong pocket presence - a trait that often separates the good from the great at the next level.
He’s not a finished product, but the tools are there. If the Jets can build around him and give him time to develop, there’s legitimate upside.
For general manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn, this draft could define their tenure. They’re likely only getting one shot at drafting a quarterback, and Simpson represents both risk and reward. It’s the kind of decision that could shape the franchise’s future - for better or worse.
Bottom line: The Jets may not be getting their top quarterback target, but they’re still swinging for impact. With Reese, they address a major defensive need with a high-upside pass rusher.
With Simpson, they take a calculated risk at the game’s most important position. It’s a bold approach - and one that could pay off big if both picks hit.