Jets Don’t Need the No. 1 Pick to Land Their Quarterback of the Future-And That’s a Good Thing
For much of the season, a segment of New York Jets fans has been laser-focused on one thing: the race to the bottom for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. But after a wild weekend of College Football Playoff action, it’s becoming clear that the Jets might not need to win the draft lottery to find their franchise quarterback.
That’s because this upcoming draft class is shaping up to be deeper at the top than most years when it comes to quarterback talent. And if the current trajectory holds, there may be three legitimate top-10 QB prospects available-meaning the Jets, currently sitting at No. 5 in the draft order, could still be in prime position to land a cornerstone signal-caller.
Ty Simpson and Dante Moore Shine on the Big Stage
Let’s start with Alabama’s Ty Simpson. On Friday, the Crimson Tide quarterback put together a strong showing in a College Football Playoff win over Oklahoma.
Simpson, currently viewed as the consensus QB3 and ranked No. 11 overall by NFL Mock Draft Database, did more than just manage the game-he elevated his stock on one of the biggest stages of the season. Whether or not he declares for the draft remains to be seen, but performances like that one certainly nudge him closer to making the leap.
Then came Saturday night, and Oregon’s Dante Moore took the spotlight-and ran with it.
Moore, widely considered the QB2 and No. 3 overall prospect in the upcoming class, put on a clinic in the Ducks' 51-34 victory over James Madison. The redshirt sophomore completed 19 of 27 passes for 313 yards and four touchdowns. He added a rushing score for good measure and showed off the kind of poise, arm talent, and creativity that NFL scouts drool over.
Yes, the opponent came from the Sun Belt Conference, and yes, the level of competition wasn’t elite. But that doesn’t take away from how sharp Moore looked.
He posted a 99.1 QBR-tying his season high-and earned a 90.4 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, his fourth-best of the year. For context, Moore already ranks second among FBS quarterbacks in PFF grade (92.5) and 11th in QBR (80.4).
Saturday’s performance wasn’t just efficient-it was dominant.
And the tape backs it up. Moore was decisive, aggressive, and accurate, threading throws into tight windows and showing the ability to extend plays when needed. It helps when you’ve got receivers like Jeremiah McClellan making highlight-reel grabs, but Moore was in complete control from start to finish.
NFL Decision Looming for Moore
While Moore is still technically a redshirt sophomore, there’s growing buzz that he could declare for the draft after this season. Performances like Saturday’s only strengthen the case. He’s 20 years old, already one of the most productive passers in the country, and has the kind of physical tools and polish that NFL teams crave.
For the Jets-who are in desperate need of a long-term answer at quarterback-Moore checks a lot of boxes. He’s not just a high-upside prospect; he’s a proven performer on the national stage who continues to rise when the lights are brightest.
The More QBs, The Better for the Jets
Here’s why this matters for New York: the more quarterbacks that rise into that top-10 range, the less pressure there is to land the No. 1 overall pick. The Jets might not be in position to select consensus QB1 Fernando Mendoza, but if both Moore and Simpson declare, they’ll have multiple potential franchise passers to choose from.
That’s huge, especially considering the Jets are currently fifth in the draft order-and would need some serious help to move up. The players in the locker room aren’t tanking.
They’re still playing to win. So while some fans might dream of a clean path to the top pick, the reality is more complicated.
But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it might be the best-case scenario. If Moore and Simpson both enter the draft, the Jets could find themselves with a shot at a top-tier quarterback without needing to mortgage future assets to move up-or hope for a total collapse to leapfrog other teams.
What’s Next
Moore and the Ducks will face fourth-seeded Texas Tech in the Orange Bowl on January 1. That game could serve as another showcase for the young quarterback, especially against a tougher opponent. Meanwhile, Simpson will go head-to-head with Fernando Mendoza, the consensus QB1, in a matchup that could shape the top of the draft board.
For the Jets, it’s all trending in the right direction. The quarterback class is deepening, the options are expanding, and the path to finding their next franchise leader might not require a miracle after all.