![\"Joe](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2265882179-e1776474168554.jpg\")
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
UConn QB Joe Fagnano trying to make a play during the 2026 NFL Combine.<\/p>\n
The New York Jets<\/a> are doing some homework on a sleeper quarterback in the 2026 NFL draft.<\/p>\n UConn QB Joe Fagnano revealed to Justin Melo<\/a> of Sports Illustrated that he has met with the Jets over Zoom during this pre-draft process.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve met with a good amount of teams, been busy on Zoom. I\u2019ve met with the Indianapolis Colts<\/a>, New Orleans Saints<\/a>, New York Jets, Cincinnati Bengals<\/a>, and various others. There have been other teams I\u2019ve been in contact with. I\u2019ve had a lot of Zoom meetings before and after pro day. I did a local visit with the New England Patriots<\/a>. They have some really good people up there,\u201d Fagnano told Melo.<\/p>\n .@UConnFootball<\/a> QB Joe Fagnano threw for 3,450 yards, 28 TDs, and just one INT in 2025.<\/p>\n He\u2019s garnered significant interest as a QB who could come in and compete for a job.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49 @JoeFagnano<\/a> joins NFL Draft On SI <\/p>\n NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein<\/a> described Fagnano as a \u201cRare seventh-year senior with the size and production to warrant a deeper dive. Fagnano is a ball-distributing pocket passer with an average arm and inconsistent accuracy. He\u2019s highly experienced, showing adequate command of his offense. He gets through his progressions with decent pace and can find his rhythm when working underneath. He\u2019s not a chess master in terms of dissecting and attacking defenses but he has taken care of the football throughout his career. Fagnano is a little older and lacks above-average mobility, accuracy or arm talent to build around, so a practice squad might be his ceiling.\u201d<\/p>\n Zierlein predicts that Fagnano will be a priority free agent.<\/p>\n Quick aside, everyone wants to hear their name called on draft day. I imagine that\u2019s a pretty cool experience. However, when you get to the end of the draft, it actually behooves you to go undrafted.<\/p>\n At that moment, the power shifts from the teams to the players. If you go undrafted, you become a free agent, and then you and your representation get to choose your next destination.<\/p>\n In theory, you can evaluate each offer you get from teams and pick the best landing spot that gives you the best shot at making the roster. You don\u2019t get that luxury if you\u2019re drafted in the sixth or seventh round; you have to go where you get picked. Just some random food for thought.<\/p>\n An Interesting Test Subject<\/p>\n In a column posted on March 29, ESPN\u2019s Rich Cimini<\/a> revealed that the Jets have been \u201cchecking into lesser-known prospects as well, including UConn\u2019s Joe Fagnano, a potential Day 3 pick who threw 28 touchdown passes and only one interception last season.\u201d<\/p>\n Fagnano, 25, measured in at the NFL<\/a> Combine at 6-foot-3 and weighed in at 226 pounds.<\/p>\n He started his college career at the University of Maine in 2019, spending four years there. Then, in 2023, he transferred to UConn, where he spent three more seasons.<\/p>\n He arrived on campus in 2019 as a walk-on, earned a full scholarship, and has been on a wild collegiate journey<\/a> ever since.<\/p>\n In 2025, he delivered a<\/a> career season. Fagnano appeared in 12 games, completed 69% of his passes, threw for 3,448 passing yards, and had a 28 touchdown to one interception ratio.<\/p>\n The Jets are expected to take a QB in the 2026 NFL draft. However, what is unclear is when they plan on pulling the trigger.<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tPaul Esden Jr.<\/a> covers the New York Jets for Heavy.com. A New York native, he co-hosts a morning show, “The Manchild Show with Boy Green Digital.” Before joining Heavy in 2021, Esden Jr. covered both national and New York sports for FanSided, Elite Sports NY, and The Score 1260. More about Paul Esden Jr.<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Jets\n\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tLoading more stories\n\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t