ESPN projects Jets paying an outrageous price to move up to draft their QB

The New York Jets hold more draft ammunition than any team in football, but one new projection suggests they might need nearly all of it to land their quarterback of the future in the 2026 NFL Draft.

In a recent ESPN mock draft, Matt Miller mapped out an aggressive scenario in which the Jets would package both of their 2026 first-round picks — including the one acquired in the Sauce Gardner trade — along with a 2027 second-rounder to move up to No. 1 and select Indiana star Fernando Mendoza.

That's a hefty price to pay, seeing as the projection has the Jets moving up just three spots. We’re still five months away from the 2026 NFL Draft, and plenty can (and will) change. But the logic behind the move is obvious.

Justin Fields has been benched, Tyrod Taylor is a short-term solution, and general manager Darren Mougey didn't stockpile five first-round picks across 2026 and 2027 just to watch someone else take the top quarterback on the board.

Still, moving up just three spots for Mendoza would be an outrageous swing at football’s most important position.

Jets trade up for Fernando Mendoza in latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft

The Jets are entering an offseason with more draft flexibility than they’ve had in decades. The team owns five first-round picks across 2026 and 2027 thanks to the Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams trades.

That capital gives general manager Darren Mougey the freedom to take any path he chooses, which could include drafting a rookie, pursuing a veteran starter, or even navigating the trade market if players like Kyler Murray become available.

The range of outcomes is still extremely wide. The Jets’ final draft position remains fluid, as they’re projected at No. 4 in Miller’s mock, but that could shift dramatically over the final stretch.

The quarterback class is fluid, too. Mendoza is currently viewed as the top prospect, but Alabama’s Ty Simpson and Oregon’s Dante Moore have both received early top-10 buzz.

Whether that holds into April, and whether both even declare, is far from certain. Moore is only a redshirt sophomore. Simpson is in the midst of his first full season as Alabama’s starter. Their decisions could reshape the entire top of the draft.

Complicating things further, other quarterback-needy teams are positioned near the top of the board. Cleveland, Las Vegas, and possibly New Orleans (depending on Tyler Shough’s development) all have reason to consider a passer early. Even if the Jets finish within striking distance, there's no guarantee their preferred choice falls to them.

That’s where Miller’s projection could come into play. Trading both 2026 first-rounders and a 2027 second to jump three spots is a massive expenditure. It would be one of the most aggressive quarterback trades in recent memory.

But the Jets are uniquely equipped to pull off something that bold. Even in Miller’s proposed scenario, they’d still hold three first-round picks in 2027.

If Mougey and the Jets fall in love with a quarterback, they now have the resources to go get him while still hopefully building a roster strong enough to support that investment.

No matter which direction they choose, the Jets finally have the draft capital to control the quarterback market instead of reacting to it. That's a freeing feeling to have.