Jets should be all over Fernando Mendoza trade if mock draft asking price is real

New York Jets fans are in two minds about how the team has played in the last few months. While Aaron Glenn has shown signs of life and led the team to a 3-3 record in their last six games, many are worried the Jets could win so many games that they are no longer within striking distance of top quarterback prospect Fernando Mendoza.

Luckily for the Jets, GM Darren Mougey is armed with more than enough picks to move up in the order for the Indiana signal-caller if he wants to. The only issue fans are worrying about is how many picks it would take to acquire him.

If the price tag is anything close to what Field Yates envisions it to be in his most recent 2026 NFL Mock Draft, the Jets need to be full steam ahead in trying to get a deal done. This trade with the local rival New York Giants would benefit all parties.

Yates has the Jets trading both their own first-round pick (No. 7), the pick that belongs to the Indianapolis Colts (No. 18), and one of their two second-round picks to the Giants to move up from seven to No. 1 in order to select Mendoza with the top pick.

Jets trade up for Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza in 2026 NFL Mock Draft

The Jets have the ability to dominate free agency by way of a ton of open cap space, which could slightly lessen the need to accumulate picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. New York could always trade down with their remaining second-round pick to keep stockpiling top-100 selections.

This trade keeps the Jets well-positioned for the 2027 NFL Draft, which is believed by many to be superior to this one. They would maintain their three first-round picks in that draft, all while securing a quarterback who could lead this franchise (we hope) back from the dead.

In a weaker quarterback class, the Heisman finalist keeps showing more and more signs that suggest he will be the top pick in this Draft. Not only is he flexing a big arm and great downfield accuracy, but he's doing so within the context of winning big games.

If the Jets want to make a move up for Mendoza and lock in their future starting quarterback, no team in the NFL is going to have the boatload of draft capital needed to sweeten any potential deal. Mendoza may be wearing green after all.