Jets could take a page out of the Dolphins' rookie QB playbook

Whether it’s Ty Simpson, Garrett Nussmeier, or the ever-popular “mystery candidate,” the New York Jets’ intention to select a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft feels inevitable. 

Naturally, the question isn’t just who the Jets will take, but when they’ll put a quarterback’s name on the draft card. Although the Jets have two first-round picks, there isn’t a consensus No. 2 quarterback behind Indiana standout and presumptive No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza. As things stand, it’s entirely possible that Mendoza is the only quarterback selected in the first round.

Not that the Jets need to draft a quarterback within the first 32 picks, of course. Actually, the rival Dolphins may have inadvertently already given the Jets the guide on taking a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft, especially if they decide the man in question is Penn State’s Drew Allar.

Jets must consider using the Dolphins’ Quinn Ewers strategy on Drew Allar

Without overthinking things, let’s operate under the assumption that the Jets won’t use one of their two first-round picks on a quarterback, nor will they trade back into the top 32 if Simpson falls to the late 20s. For the sake of conversation, at least in this scenario, the Jets would set up shop on Day 2 still wanting — and arguably needing — to add a quarterback.

Geno Smith’s presence means that the Jets don’t have to force-draft someone and plan on them immediately being the starter. In fact, the Jets don’t even need to have an open quarterback competition, and not only because Aaron Glenn came out and reiterated that Smith is the starter.

Although the Dolphins missed the playoffs and eventually cut Tua Tagovailoa, I nonetheless liked their thought process regarding a quarterback in last year’s draft. Clearly, Mike McDaniel and Chris Grier thought highly enough of Ewers, and the plan was obvious from the jump: Ewers would be the third-string quarterback behind Tagovailoa and Zach Wilson, with the goal being to evaluate his progress over a full year.

Then, when the time came for the Dolphins to essentially punt on the season, they named Ewers the starter over Wilson. It wouldn’t have done the Dolphins any good to play Wilson, a veteran on a one-year deal, over the rookie Ewers, a seventh-round pick. The takeaway shouldn’t be that Ewers only posted a 32.8 QBR or that new management in Miami signed Packers backup Malik Willis in free agency. Instead, it’s a shining example of how to properly handle a developmental, Day 3 quarterback.

What’s stopping the Jets from doing something similar with Allar or the Miami Hurricanes’ Carson Beck? Smith is the entrenched starter, and the Jets appear likely to have Brady Cook and Bailey Zappe battle it out for the backup role. That would allow Allar, Beck, or whoever the Jets take to sit, learn, and take the field when the time is right.

Dysfunctional franchises gambling on a first-round quarterback almost never works out well. That’s why the Jets and Browns are still searching for a long-term answer. Now, by no means am I guaranteeing that Allar or Beck will be above-average quarterbacks. I simply would much rather have a developmental prospect on a four-year deal instead of a first-rounder whom I’d feel obligated to get into the starting lineup at some point, even if they’re likely not ready, as the Falcons did with Michael Penix Jr.

Then again, we’re talking about the Jets. The only thing they get right when it comes to quarterbacks is knowing when to cut ties.