The New York Jets are heading into the 2026 NFL Draft with a golden opportunity-and a massive question mark-at the most important position on the field. With two first-round picks in hand, many expect Gang Green to finally lock in their quarterback of the future early. But a new mock draft throws a curveball that could change the entire conversation.
In a bold seven-round projection, the Jets are forecasted to pass on a quarterback in the first round altogether. Instead, the mock has New York selecting Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain with the No. 2 overall pick and USC wide receiver Makai Lemon at No.
- That’s a serious investment in both sides of the ball-but not under center.
Then, in a move that would raise plenty of eyebrows, the Jets are projected to grab Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the first pick of the second round.
Now, this is where things get interesting.
Simpson has been widely projected as a first-round talent, even after a rocky finish to his final college season. The Alabama signal-caller exited the Rose Bowl early due to a cracked rib, and his second-half performance left some scouts with more questions than answers. But even with the late-season dip, there’s still plenty of belief in his upside.
NFL execs reportedly told Simpson’s father-UT Martin head coach Jason Simpson-that his son was viewed as a first-rounder. That kind of feedback doesn’t come lightly, especially in a draft class that’s light on sure-thing quarterbacks behind Indiana's Fernando Mendoza.
And make no mistake: Mendoza is widely expected to be the top quarterback off the board, likely landing with the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 1 overall. That leaves Simpson as the consensus QB2 in this class-though not without his share of red flags.
Let’s break those down. Simpson started just 15 games at Alabama, which is a limited sample size for a quarterback stepping into the NFL spotlight. His arm strength grades out as solid but not spectacular, and while he’s mobile, he doesn’t bring the kind of elite athleticism that’s become increasingly common among today’s top-tier QBs.
So why the intrigue?
Because when Simpson was on, he flashed the kind of poise, decision-making, and pocket presence that teams crave. He played within the structure of the offense, made smart reads, and showed flashes of the kind of accuracy and timing that can translate at the next level. He might not dazzle with traits, but he checks a lot of boxes when it comes to quarterback fundamentals.
For the Jets, the idea of landing Simpson at the top of the second round is all about value. If they can address other premium positions-edge rusher and wide receiver-with their two first-rounders, then circle back to get a potential franchise quarterback without using a top-16 pick, that’s a win on multiple fronts.
Of course, this all hinges on whether Simpson actually falls out of the first round. If the buzz around him holds and a quarterback-needy team jumps in late on Day 1, the Jets might not get that chance.
There’s also the possibility that New York trades down from No. 2 to accumulate more draft capital. That scenario could open the door for a third first-round pick-giving them even more flexibility to target Simpson (or another QB like Ole Miss standout Trinidad Chambliss) without sacrificing top-tier talent at other positions.
Bottom line: the Jets are in a fascinating spot. They have the draft ammo to make big moves, but the route they take-especially at quarterback-could define the next five years of the franchise. Whether they roll the dice on Simpson in Round 2 or make a more conventional move earlier, the pressure is on to finally solve the quarterback puzzle.