NFL Draft expert reveals Jets QB plan in first two rounds of 2026 draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New York Jets, picking second overall after the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2026 NFL Draft, are in a very bad spot as a franchise.

Advertisement

Fernando Mendoza is going first overall, and there isn’t another quarterback worth taking early in the draft. Thanks to that, the Jets might end up forcing the issue earlier in the draft than they should with Aaron Glenn on the hot seat.

However, NFL Draft expert Daniel Jeremiah, on NFL.com by Dan Parr, revealed he doesn’t expect the Jets’ plan at quarterback to involve the 2026 NFL Draft. Whether it’s 2nd, 16th, 33rd, or 44th overall, Jeremiah doesn’t expect a QB to go to the Jets.

NFL Draft expert expects Jets to pass on QB in draft

“I don’t think I would lean in the direction of the draft for their quarterback this year,” Jeremiah said. “I think they will be all in for that next year.”

Advertisement

With Glenn and potentially Darren Mougey on the hot seat, not taking a quarterback might come off as a strange decision.

But if they can get a bridge quarterback like Kirk Cousins, Malik Willis, or even Kyler Murray to keep them afloat for a season to keep their jobs, that’s not that unrealistic.

Landing a temporary quarterback for 2026, and then going all-in for a rookie in the very strong-looking 2027 NFL Draft class, makes a lot of sense for the Jets.

More: Jets rumor links New York to $12 million Super Bowl-winning QB after Frank Reich hire

Instead of taking a quarterback early in this year’s class, the Jets can use a Day 3 draft pick on one to take a flier on a rookie to develop behind a veteran for a year.

Advertisement

Taking someone like Ty Simpson in the first round would be a mistake, especially when they can land a more stable quarterback to keep their jobs for a year, and then use their three firsts in 2027 to move up to get the QB they want in next year’s class.

And with those four top-44 draft picks, the Jets can instead focus on adding talent on both sides of the ball to prepare for a new quarterback when they’re brought in.

Jets fans should like what Jeremiah has to say, as this scenario would be the best way for the Jets to build for the now, while also setting up for long-term success with a 2027 rookie quarterback.

More Jets news: