5 quarterbacks who could save the Jets in the 2026 NFL Draft

At 0-5, the New York Jets face insurmountable odds of turning their 2025 season around, let alone making it merely respectable. They own the NFL's worst record as of Oct. 9, and with few bright spots, it seems likely they'll finish the year near the bottom of the league.

The silver lining is that this could result in a high pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, putting them in a position to select one of the class's top talents. That could very well mean drafting a quarterback, a position that will remain a priority if Justin Fields continues to underwhelm.

Luckily for the Jets, this is a deep class. While it may not feature a clear-cut QB1, there are still plenty of intriguing names to watch.

5 QB targets for the Jets in the 2026 NFL Draft

5. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU

Nussmeier is an intriguing prospect. Slightly undersized at 6-foot-1, he entered the season with plenty of hype and upside after a strong first full year as LSU’s starting quarterback, throwing for over 4,000 yards and 29 touchdowns.

Nussmeier has impressive arm talent and handles himself well under pressure in the pocket against tough SEC defenses. His biggest concern is his size when facing larger NFL defenders, an issue that someone like Bryce Young has struggled with since entering the league. It’s worked out for others, such as Russell Wilson, but it remains a hurdle the Baton Rouge star will have to overcome.

But if Nussmeier finishes the second half of the season strong, he’ll be in position to rise up draft boards despite his smaller frame.

4. John Mateer, Oklahoma

Before breaking his hand in September, John Mateer had played his way into the first-round conversation. The injury initially seemed likely to push him down draft boards since he’d miss valuable time, but he could return to action as soon as the Red River Rivalry.

Mateer was actually making a case to be the top quarterback selected, thanks to his arm strength and precision as a passer. His main drawback right now is the need for more reps to showcase those tools, but if he returns and shines against Texas, it could do wonders for his draft stock and help him continue climbing the boards.

3. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina

LaNorris Sellers possesses the physical tools NFL teams covet in a quarterback. He has the size of a linebacker at 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds, the athleticism to maneuver in the pocket and create plays, and arguably the best arm strength of anyone in this class. On paper, everything is there.

However, Sellers will have just over two seasons of starting experience and can sometimes play too fast in the pocket, leading to rushed throws. His numbers this year haven’t been eye-popping either, with 886 passing yards and four touchdowns over five starts. There’s still time for a strong finish to elevate him into the top prospect conversation, but he hasn’t wowed yet.

That doesn’t mean he’s not a top quarterback prospect, as there’s no flawless prospect in this draft. He’ll just need time to develop, whether that’s with the Jets or elsewhere.

2. Dante Moore, Oregon

Dante Moore has been lauded for a while, dating back to his days as Michigan’s Gatorade Player of the Year in high school. But he’s receiving even more attention now in his first full season as a starter, following a rocky 2023 campaign at UCLA, where he struggled to a 53.5 percent completion rate on 213 attempts.

Now, Moore has elevated his completion rate to 74.6 percent with 14 touchdowns and just one interception, helping Oregon emerge as an early College Football Playoff national title contender.

The junior shows strong pocket presence, good arm strength, and the ability to hit his targets downfield with precision. His concerns lie in working through progressions and lacking the mobility or rushing ability teams often look for in a modern-day quarterback, which could keep him from going higher.

1. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

Teams can fall too in love with fast risers in the draft and reach for them (see: Jets, Zach Wilson). But Fernando Mendoza is backing up the hype on the field at Indiana, proving why he belongs near the top of the board.

Mendoza has a 73 percent completion rate and a sparkling 16-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio, leading Indiana to a perfect 5-0 start to the season. He didn’t come out of nowhere, having performed well at California as a freshman and sophomore, steadily improving his numbers year over year and now thriving on a bigger stage with more eyes on him.

Along with showing solid pocket presence under pressure, Mendoza carries himself well when the pocket collapses. He’s held back by only average arm strength, which keeps him from being a top-tier quarterback prospect, and he also has a tendency to hold onto the ball too long.

Even so, he’s likely to be drafted high as a future starter because of his precision and accuracy, and if the Jets win a few games, they could find themselves in a position to select him somewhere in the top 10.