Everything Jets fans need to know about the 2026 NFL Draft QB class

The 2026 NFL Draft is fast approaching, kicking off tonight at 8:00 PM EST. The draft is always important to every franchise, but for the New York Jets, it has become the centerpiece of the full calendar season. A decade and a half removed from the playoffs, the most impactful moments for Gang Green commence every year in April.

Quite often, the Jets have been looking at the possibility of selecting a quarterback, given that they haven't found the right one since the mid 60s. This year is no different. And while the Jets may decide to pass on a QB this time, there remains a high chance that we leave this weekend with a new passer under center.

Over the past several weeks, I've been releasing pieces breaking down the most high-profile quarterbacks the Jets might select, which include Ty Simpson, Carson Beck, Drew Allar, Cade Klubnik, Garrett Nussmeier, and Taylen Green. I refrained from including Fernando Mendoza, as it's a given that he will be a Las Vegas Raider with the first overall pick.

We'll conclude the series with a tier-based quarterback big board. This will include measurables, comps, school-styled grades, and a custom metric I developed called QBV (Quarterback Value). I used 13 different statistics and Pro Football Focus grades that I value most. To get the final number, you multiply each metric by its corresponding number below. Then you add them together, and carry your decimal two places to the left.

Each quarterback's QBV does not always tell the entire story of my view of them. Context matters, and everyone is playing against different strengths of schedule within different offenses with varying levels of health. But the QBV paints a picture of their statistical output, at least if you agree with the value of the above metrics.

While I only released pieces on those six high-profile quarterbacks I mentioned earlier, for the sake of covering the entire class, I will include Fernando Mendoza as well as some outlier candidates I didn't originally cover. Let's dive in.

On this page:

1. Tier I
2. Tier II
3. Tier III
4. Tier IV
5. Tier V

Tier I

I would feel comfortable taking these guys late in the first round at the earliest. I'm a proponent of the concept that it's never too early if you truly think you have "the guy." But I'm not 100% confident whether or not either Simpson or Mendoza is truly at that level. While they're certainly worth a shot in the first round, in most seasons, I would likely consider them number three or four instead of one and two.

And yes, I believe Ty Simpson is the better prospect. He doesn't have the size, experience, or accomplishments that Mendoza does. But I think he has more natural talent. He's played in a fraction of the games that Mendoza has. He's, of course, pretty raw. I just don't see that next-level game-changing ability out of Mendoza, though, even if he hits his ceiling. If Simpson hits his ceiling, I see an off-chance he becomes a star.

While Mendoza certainly has the higher floor, I believe Simpson has just a slightly higher ceiling.

1. Ty Simpson- Alabama

Measurables: 6'2, 208

QBV: 59.2

Grade: 80, B-

Comps: Bo Nix, Tua Tagovailoa, Dak Prescott, Joe Burrow

2. Fernando Mendoza- Indiana

Measurables: 6'5, 225

QBV: 65.9

Grade: 80, B-

Comps: Chad Pennington, Eli Manning, Matt Ryan

Tier II

Originally, this was a tier of one. I had Garrett Nussmeier, still at number four, in tier III. But then I found out that his strange "abdominal" injury that hampered his season turned out to be a cyst on his spine. With that removed, and him feeling better than ever, I'm banking on the fact that he was viewed as possibly the number one QB in his class prior to this season. And even in a down year, his numbers were respectable.

Taylen Green has the upside to be a superstar. I don't know that Nussmeier necessarily has that in him. But I also feel that Nussmeier has a much higher floor. For that reason, I kept them tiered together. I think this comes down to preference. Do you want to take a home run swing or settle for a double in the gap?

I would be comfortable if the Jets selected either of these guys in the middle of the second round.

3. Taylen Green- Arkansas

Measurables: 6'6, 235

QBV: 56.94

Grade: 78, C+

Comps: Carson Wentz, Vince Young, Daniel Jones, Colin Kaepernick

4. Garrett Nussmeier- LSU

Measurables: 6'1, 205

QBV: 59.26

Grade: 77, C+

Comps: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Geno Smith, Derrick Carr, Tony Romo

Tier III

All three guys in this tier are worth a shot late in the third round, or early in the fourth round for me.

On paper, Cade Klubnik easily surpasses Drew Allar. But for me, it came down to the eye-test and the gut-test. Drew Allar has the size you want and the competitive personality you want. And I blame most of his drawbacks on his coaching staff for handcuffing him during crucial developmental years.

Give me the 6-foot-5, 235-pound gunslinger with some fire in his belly over the 6'1 athlete who reminds me a little bit of Zach Wilson. Allar was also going up against a much tougher strength of schedule, which is a fair tie-breaker for two guys I view pretty equally.

As far as Aguilar is concerned, I think he's significantly undervalued. He has really good indicator metrics. He's a fluid athlete with an effortless arm. He needs to clean up his footwork for sure. And his frame is slightly thin. But against an SEC schedule, he really produced. And he passes the eye-test, at least for me.

5. Drew Allar- Penn State

Measurables: 6'5, 235

QBV: 56.95

Grade: 75, C

Comps: Jameis Winston, Nick Foles, Joe Flacco, Sam Darnold, Jay Cutler

6. Cade Klubnik- Clemson

Measurables: 6'2, 210

QBV: 61.14

Grade: 75, C

Comps: Zach Wilson, Ryan Tannehill, Jalen Hurts, Russell Wilson

7. Joey Aguilar- Tennessee

Measurables: 6'3, 225

QBV: 64.4

Grade: 73, C-

Comps: Will Levis, Sam Bradford, Jared Goff

Tier IV

For these guys, I don't see a high likelihood that they turn into anything more than career backups. But a world exists where they stick around as a starter for a few years. I see the pro talent in all of them, even if very minimal. And for guys like Cole Payton and Luke Altmyer, I even see a universe where they become really solid.

But everyone in this tier is either too "boom or bust" to use a pick before the 5th round on, or they don't have the ceiling worthy of drafting any higher.

8. Luke Altmyer- Illinois

Measurables: 6'2, 215

QBV: 58.9

Grade: 70, C-

Comps: Mark Sanchez, Andy Dalton

9. Carson Beck- Miami

Measurables: 6'4, 220

QBV: 56.8

Grade: 70, C-

Comps: Matt Cassell, Brock Purdy, Jared Goff

10. Haynes King- Georgia Tech

Measurables: 6'3, 215

QBV: 62.4

Grade: 70, C-

Comps: Desmond Ridder, Ryan Tannehill

11. Cole Payton- NDSU

Measurables: 6'3, 233

QBV: 70.1

Grade: 68, D+

Comps: Tim Tebow, Taysom Hill, Blake Bortles

Tier V

The remainder of these guys I would rather completely avoid. If the Jets were to select any of them, I'd hope it would be as a flyer on day three. Any sooner would be a waste of a pick, in my opinion.

12. Sawyer Robertson- Baylor

Measurables: 6'4, 220

QBV: 56.3

Grade: 66, D+

Comps: Drew Lock, Mitch Trubisky

13. Diego Pavia- Vanderbilt

Measurables: 6'0, 207

QBV: 66.9

Grade: 63, D-

Comps: Colt McCoy

14. Joe Fagnano- UConn

Measurables: 6'4, 225

QBV: 62.4

Grade: 62, D-

Comps: Brian Hoyer, Jimmy Garoppolo

15. Jalon Daniels- Kansas

Measurables: 6'0, 220

QBV: 58.3

Grade: 62, D-

Comps: Trace McSorley, Marcus Mariota

16. Mark Gronowski- Iowa

Measurables: 6'2, 235

QBV: 59.1

Grade: 61, D-

Comps: Malik Willis

16. Kyron Drones- Virginia Tech

Measurables: 6'2, 235

QBV: 54.5

Grade: 60, D-

Comps: Justin Fields

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