The New York Jets, despite a brutal 2025 season, missed out on the top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and will subsequently miss out on Fernando Mendoza, barring a stunning change of course from the Las Vegas Raiders.
That leaves the Jets to go after a new quarterback with one of their later picks, of which they have two in the next round of selections. The Jets are picking 2nd, 16th, and 33rd in the draft, and could take a quarterback at any spot.
ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. Predicts the Jets will take a quarterback, and in the first round at that. But, he doesn't see that QB going 2nd overall; instead, the Jets are predicted to wait until 16th overall to take the "high-ceiling" Alabama quarterback, Ty Simpson.
Jets predicted to take Ty Simpson 16th overall
"...I do have some concerns about Simpson. He has 15 career starts, which means this pick would come with a lot of risk. That's just not enough game experience," Kiper writes. "We also can't ignore his dip in performance in the second half of the 2025 season."
But, even with these concerns outlined by Kiper, there's a reason why he believes Simpson would be worth a first-round pick.
"But there's also no questioning his upside," Kiper writes. "... If the Jets can surround him with talent on offense and develop him, he has a high ceiling."
Finding the right franchise quarterback is never easy, and for the Jets, in dire need of a quarterback after the failed Justin Fields experiment this past season, Simpson could be the answer.
And while those on the outside might not see it as such, the Jets are actually a solid landing spot for a young quarterback.
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The offensive line is strong, with Armand Membou and Olu Fashanu at tackle and some high-quality interior linemen as well.
His supporting cast isn't bad either. Garrett Wilson will be back in 2026 for the Jets, and alongside Adonai Mitchell, John Metchie, and potentially a rookie in this draft class or a free-agent pick-up, the Jets' wide receiver room could be strong for Simpson.
Bringing Breece Hall back, or finding a new running back, will be key, but outside of him, Mason Taylor looks to have some promise at tight end, making for a well-rounded offense that's just missing a quarterback.
The Jets would not be a bad landing spot for Simpson, and if the Jets can wait until pick 16 to get him, taking a defensive star like Arvell Reese second overall, the Jets could have a vastly improved roster for 2026 with a few solid moves.
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