The first bombshell of the 2026 NFL draft season officially dropped. Dante Moore’s decision to return to Oregon for his Junior season has altered the entire course of the selection process at the quarterback position.

It leaves a quarterback-hungry team like the New York Jets scrambling.

Gang Green is desperate for a top quarterback to finally hitch its wagon to, someone who can confidently lead the organization’s turnaround. Moore’s decision complicates that goal entirely.

Moore’s return also shifts the top quarterbacks of the incoming class. Instead of two to three signal-callers with first-round potential, there may be only one or two on the list.

Today, we’ll break down the pre-draft rankings of quarterbacks ahead of both the Senior Bowl and 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. This list could very well determine where the Jets opt to go at the position in April’s draft.

5. Cade Klubnik – Clemson

This was between Cade Klubnik and Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia. I am higher on Klubnik than others, however.

The arm is NFL-ready and one of the better in this class. He is also a quality athlete who, in the right situation, could be an excellent developmental quarterback.

The Clemson product returned to college last year, even though he didn’t have to, and put up quality numbers in 2025. He did see a decrease in touchdowns and yards, but that had more to do with Clemson’s coaching issues than anything else. He improved his completion percentage and reduced the number of interceptions.

Klubnik’s stock can significantly improve over the next couple of months once scouts take notice of both the arm talent and athleticism. His processing needs work, but this prospect is a Day 2 quarterback who could end up being a steal in many spots.

4. Carson Beck – Miami

Carson Beck has a ton of film on him, considering he’s been a playoff quarterback at both Georgia and Miami. What you see is what you get from a type of player of his caliber.

He’s thrown 23 interceptions in the last two years combined, which isn’t the best thing for an older quarterback. He also doesn’t have the strongest arm on the planet, either.

Like any young quarterback, he does have an issue of staying on his first read too much, but that is an issue all signal-callers are dealing with in the modern game.

He seems more like a Day 2 selection for the quarterback position — someone who needs to be in the right situation in order to make a positive impact. If he’s in the right system, he’s a player who can be a quality arm in any organization.

At the very least, Carson Beck cannot be ruled out as an option.

3. Trinidad Chambliss – Ole Miss

No one helped their draft status more over the last two months than Ole Miss signal-caller Trinidad Chambliss.

His lack of D-I reps is apparent, but the SEC-leading 3,900 yards and 22 touchdown passes thrown highlight a big-body quarterback with all the intangibles to be an intriguing prospect.

There are plenty of questions surrounding Chambliss’ NFL ability, particularly regarding his accuracy over the middle of the field and his overall size (just 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds).

However, what he showed in the Sugar Bowl against Georgia, and as a leader through the entire Lane Kiffin fiasco, showed that Chambliss could be an intriguing late first, early second-round pick in the right scheme.

2. Ty Simpson – Alabama

Ty Simpson is arguably the top enigma of the current quarterback class. There’s a lot to like about this prospect, and reason to believe he could be a perfect Jets’ selection.

The good from Simpson is there. He processes well, has a quick release, and was occasionally hindered by mediocre talent around him at Alabama (as hard as that is to admit). His anticipation is good, and he can work in the quick movement of a modern offense.

However, he has one full year as a starting quarterback and doesn’t possess an elite arm that will wow scouts or NFL offenses. His decision-making isn’t always the best, and he tends to fumble, which needs to be addressed.

Like so many quarterbacks, Simpson needs to go to the right place. He’s a first-round pick in this class, but is not worthy of top-five pressure.

The Jets could target him with the 16th overall pick, but then they would have to compete with other teams that are also in need of a quarterback.

1. Fernando Mendoza – Indiana

The Heisman Trophy winner was my top quarterback on the board, even with Moore potentially being on here. He doesn’t swap now. The anticipation that Fernando Mendoza throws with is rare for a college signal-caller.

His ability to also throw a catchable ball and play “above the rim” as some quarterbacks do is commendable. His NFL comp has always been Jared Goff, but he’s a bit more mobile than the Detroit Lions signal-caller.

There’s a good chance the tank-accomplished Las Vegas Raiders select him before the Jets have the opportunity. If so, the team didn’t do enough to get their quarterback in 2025. Should the Raiders opt for a non-quarterback, though, it could let Mendoza slip right into the Jets’ laps.

At this point, with Dante Moore off the board, everything should be on the table for the New York Jets.