Draft season comes for us all, but in East Rutherford, it tends to arrive early.
The New York Jets, after a dismal 13-6 loss to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, have fallen to 0-7. Playoff odds have long been out the window. Competence was quick to follow.
New York rolled the dice on quarterback Justin Fields, and while the process behind the decision was just, a left-tailed outcome has turned up the heat on head coach Aaron Glenn's seat. As Glenn fights for a second year on the job, he'll do so in a mostly-empty MetLife Stadium.
The Jets are in pole position to earn the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and it is abundantly clear that they'll be taking a quarterback in April.
The Justin Fields era is (basically) over
Two quarters after Glenn questioned the validity of benching Fields to the media, he pulled the trigger fans had been calling for. Inserting Tyrod Taylor introduced a different genre of bad football. It didn't change the math, but it was an inevitable concession that Fields's job isn't a lock.
Glenn hasn't announced a starter for Week 8 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Even if Taylor gets the nod, another Fields appearance looms. Between the spark of his athleticism, Taylor's (lack of) durability, and the futility of New York's offense, a pivot back feels likely.
Yet, the damage is done. Nothing Fields has done demands another chance to start a season opener. The most likely option remains that he slides behind a rookie as one of the league's most expensive second-stringers. As such, it's worth taking a look at the most likely candidates to be the top pick under center.
Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
Mendoza entered the year with first-round hype, albeit with some projection attached to his transfer from Cal to Indiana. Through the first half of the season, all he's done is dominate. His Hoosiers are undefeated and destined for a College Football Playoff berth. In an unsteady crop of passers, Mendoza has repeatedly made his case for QB1.
Mendoza was one of the best passers in the ACC last season. Through seven games in 2025, he has already thrown five more touchdowns (21), completed a higher percentage of his passes (73.5%), cut his interception rate (1.1%), and boosted his efficiency to 9.7 yards per attempt. In the process, he's cut his pressure-to-sack rate, made more high-level throws, and continued to stretch the field.
Subsequently, Mendoza is the odds-on favorite to be taken first overall. With a blend of downfield aggressiveness, responsible decision-making, and strong processing, he'll be starting somewhere in Week 1.
Ty Simpson, Alabama
Among the risers in this class is Simpson, who -- by virtue of being an unproven Alabama quarterback -- began the season with Day 3 expectations. After another ranked win over Tennessee, his fourth quality SEC win in as many weeks, it would no longer be a surprise for Simpson to go 1.01.
Another week of Ty Simpson putting NFL-level throws on tape. Love his poise, confidence, placement.
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) October 20, 2025
Simpson belongs in the conversation for QB1. pic.twitter.com/rFvanKvtdV
The most notable part of Simpson's game is his ability to operate from the pocket under pressure. Despite a relative lack of inexperience clouding his profile, Simpson is poised with defenders closing in. His pocket movements allow him to keep his eyes downfield, evade defenders, and remain ready to throw. He continues to process the field with urgency, but not recklessness, and he is aware of defenders without hurting his decisions and accuracy.
That's a profile teams can trust can start in adversarial environments. New York's offensive line is pretty good, but with an uncertain future in the backfield and one starter-level receiver on the roster, things can get ugly quick. If Simpson's intangibles are real, he would be well-equipped to win in East Rutherford.
LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
Sellers entered October with the opportunity to vault himself to the top of draft boards. Facing an imposing docket of SEC opponents, the South Carolina Gamecocks have instead fallen flat. Sellers has thrown for 124 yards in back-to-back weeks (losses to LSU and Oklahoma) while not flashing the growth necessary to support his hype.
MORE: South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers staring down most important month of his career
His path to being the Jets' quarterback lies solely on his physical traits, which are easily the best in this quarterback class. There might not be a passer in Division I football as athletic as Sellers, who looks like the sport's most elusive passer at 6'3", 240 pounds. His arm complements his legs, allowing him to create explosives through the air when not on the ground.
And yet, Sellers's play under pressure and within structure leaves much to be desired. He is the only prospect in this class with the traits to be Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson. Even so, it's more likely that he returns to school than becomes the No. 1 pick.
Dante Moore, Oregon
Moore has played himself into the QB1 conversation by headlining an explosive Oregon offense and flashing the tools and intangibles to be a franchise quarterback. He doesn't have an elite arm, nor does he add a ton to the team's rushing offense. Yet, both facets of his game are above-average, making it easy to envision him as a long-term starter.
Moore complements those tools with an ability to avoid turnovers while remaining potent downfield. He's thrown 19 touchdowns to four interceptions while completing over 70% of his passes.
After his first hiccup of the season against Indiana, Moore responded to adversity well in a blowout win against Rutgers. There's still more to prove, especially down the stretch in the College Football Playoff. For now, he remains on the No. 1 pick radar, offering another option to try and save this quarterback class.
More Jets news
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