2 college QBs Jets fans need to know besides the obvious names ahead of 2027 NFL Draft

The New York Jets have completed their preseason slate and will next take the field against the Tennessee Titans in Week 1. That will start the Geno Smith 2.0 era, which they need to not last long.

The Jets acquired Smith from the Las Vegas Raiders over the offseason, reuniting with him after his initial stint with the franchise from 2013 to 2016. Unlike back then, the 35-year-old is now a stopgap player before they take a long-term swing at the position.

New York missed the chance to do so in the 2026 draft, as it landed the second overall pick after going 3-14. Oregon quarterback Dante Moore stayed in school, leaving Indiana signal-caller Fernando Mendoza as the only player at the position left worth taking at the top of the draft. The Raiders selected the 2025 national champion No. 1 overall, and the Jets took Texas Tech pass rusher David Bailey No. 2.

Luckily for New York, it owns three 2027 first-rounders, with Moore and Texas quarterback Arch Manning headlining the next crop of prospects thus far. However, if it doesn't land a top-two pick next year, there are other options behind center.

2027 NFL Draft quarterback prospects New York Jets fans should keep an eye on

Julian Sayin, Ohio State

Ohio State quarterbacks don't have the best professional track record, as CJ Stroud is the only one to start an NFL playoff game in the 21st century. However, redshirt sophomore Julian Sayin could be the next one.

The 2025 Big Ten Freshman of the Year finished with a 77% completion rate on 391 passes for 3,610 yards, along with 32 touchdowns and eight interceptions for the Buckeyes last season, leading them to wins in their first 12 games before losing the Big Ten Championship to Indiana and the College Football Playoff quarterfinal to Miami. He fell just short of Bo Nix's NCAA completion percentage record, which is 77.4% and was set in 2023.

Sayin will have another year to prove himself in college before getting drafted, and the Jets could use a signal-caller with near-historic efficiency. For reference, Nix is now the Denver Broncos' franchise quarterback.

Drew Mestemaker, Oklahoma State

While plenty of non-Power conference quarterbacks succeed in the NFL, such as former Wyoming Cowboy Josh Allen, playing for a bigger program gives players the chance to showcase their skills against the nation's best teams. Oklahoma State signal-caller Drew Mestemaker will now have that chance after transferring from North Texas.

The redshirt sophomore led the NCAA with 4,379 passing yards for the Mean Green last season, leading them to a 12-2 record. He also posted a 68.9% completion rate, 34 touchdowns, nine interceptions, and five rushing scores.

If Mestemaker replicates his American Conference success in the Big 12, he'll be selected near the top of the draft.

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