Jets Eyeing No. 1 Pick? Why a Trade-Up for Fernando Mendoza Could Be a Risky Move
The NFL Draft rumor mill is already heating up, and it’s only February. One of the more intriguing nuggets came from NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah during an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, where he casually dropped a potential bombshell involving the New York Jets. According to Jeremiah, the Jets could be looking to make a bold move up to the No. 1 overall pick - currently held by the Las Vegas Raiders - with Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza in their sights.
Let’s unpack this.
Jeremiah said he “100 percent” believes the Jets would try to trade up to that top spot, using the draft capital they’ve accumulated. But there’s a catch - and it’s a big one.
The buzz among league insiders, per Jeremiah, is that the Raiders aren’t budging. They’ve got their eyes on Mendoza and appear locked in on staying put.
So even if the Jets come calling with a hefty offer, it might not matter. Vegas seems fully committed to taking their guy.
That’s where things get interesting - and complicated - for New York.
The Cost of Moving Up
If the Jets are serious about jumping from No. 2 to No. 1, the price tag won’t be cheap. Especially not in a year where Mendoza is widely viewed as the top quarterback on the board. And with the quarterback class lacking depth and star power, that top spot becomes even more valuable - maybe even overvalued.
Once Dante Moore opted to return to Oregon, the Jets lost a key piece of leverage. With fewer high-end QB prospects available, the demand for Mendoza skyrocketed. And when there’s only one quarterback in the draft with perceived franchise potential, the bidding war can get out of control fast.
Mendoza’s Fit - and Flaws
On paper, Mendoza checks a lot of boxes. He thrived at Indiana, leading a dominant team under head coach Curt Cignetti and putting up strong numbers in a timing-based offense built on quick reads and RPOs. That could make him a natural fit in the type of system the Jets are likely to run under offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand.
But there are concerns - real ones - about how Mendoza’s game translates to the next level.
The biggest red flag? Pocket poise.
At the college level, Mendoza wasn’t consistently comfortable under pressure. He got the ball out quickly, yes, but when things broke down, his ability to reset, maneuver the pocket, and make plays off-script wasn’t where it needs to be for a top-tier NFL starter.
That’s a tough trait to coach up, and it’s often a make-or-break skill for quarterbacks transitioning to the pros.
There’s also the question of how much of Mendoza’s success was a product of the system and the talent around him. Indiana was stacked. And while that’s not necessarily a knock - great players elevate great teams - it does muddy the waters when trying to project how a quarterback will perform when the supporting cast isn’t as dominant.
The Bigger Picture for the Jets
If head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey are feeling the pressure to win now - and there are whispers that Glenn could be on the hot seat - the temptation to go all-in on a quarterback makes sense. Trading up for Mendoza would be a bold, franchise-defining move, the kind that says, “We’re betting it all on this guy.”
But bold doesn’t always mean smart.
History is littered with cautionary tales of teams reaching for quarterbacks in weak draft classes. The 2021 class looked promising at the time, with names like Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, Zach Wilson, and Trey Lance. Fast forward a few years, and only Lawrence has held onto a starting job with any consistency - and even that comes with its share of debate.
The 2022 class was even worse. Kenny Pickett was the first QB off the board, and while he’s had moments, the rest of the group - including Desmond Ridder, Sam Howell, and Malik Willis - hasn’t moved the needle. Go back even further to 2015, and you’ll find Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota, two top picks who never quite lived up to the hype.
The point? When a quarterback class is thin, the smart play is often to resist the urge to force a pick.
That’s especially true when you’re already sitting at No. 2.
The Jets are in a position to land a premium player - quarterback or otherwise - without mortgaging the future.
Final Thoughts
The Jets may very well want Fernando Mendoza. They may even be willing to pay big to move up one spot and get him. But if the Raiders are locked in - and all signs point to that being the case - it might not matter.
And even if the door opens, the Jets have to ask themselves a tough question: Is Mendoza worth the price of admission?
With a questionable quarterback class and a roster that still needs help in multiple areas, the smarter move might be to stay put, trust the board, and avoid the kind of draft-day gamble that’s burned teams before.
Because in the NFL, swinging for the fences only works if you don’t strike out.