The Jets say they’re not tearing things down. And that their only focus is on winning games this year, starting with Sunday’s showdown with the Browns.
But actions speak far louder than words, and after trading away their two best defensive players on Tuesday before the deadline and netting three first-round picks in the next two drafts – with the shocking deal that sent cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Colts, and the not-so-shocking move of defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to the Cowboys – and the Jets’ record at 1-7, it’s clear they’re prioritizing their future over the present.
And the most important event on the Jets schedule is now April’s NFL Draft. The only thing that has changed? They can chase wins in the final eight games of the season without worrying about losing the chance to draft the top quarterback, because they have enough trade ammo to move up and get their guy.
But who should that guy be? We’ve been following this quarterback class closely and ranking the quarterbacks that would be the best fit for the Jets. And as the college football regular season winds down, here’s where things stand.
1. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
Class: Junior
Last game: 14-of-21, 201 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT in 55-1 win at Maryland (Saturday)
Season: 162-of-224 (72.3%), 2,124 yards, 25 TD, 4 INT
Mendoza just keeps on finding ways to score and help his team win in the most efficient way possible. Saturday’s win marked the second straight game he ran for a touchdown while throwing at least a touchdown pass. He has thrown one interception in four of his last five games, but even over that stretch he has accounted for 13 touchdowns with his arm and legs – more than making up for those mistakes. That kind of efficiency would only help a wildy inconsistent Jets offense.
2. Ty Simpson, Alabama
Class: Junior
Last game: 24-of-43, 253 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT in 29-22 win at South Carolina (Oct. 25)
Season: 177-of-261 (67.8), 2,184 yards, 20 TD, 1 INT
A couple sub-60% passing days against mediocre opponents are all that’s keeping Simpson from the top spot on this list, because otherwise he’s been remarkable. The arm is pro-ready and he was at his best in the toughest stretch, helping Alabama four straight wins over top-20 opponents, including two games decided by three points or in which Simpson didn’t throw a pick. That’s exactly what the Jets need from a quarterback, and they’ve done well with Alabama quarterbacks in the past.
3. Dante Moore, Oregon
Class: Sophomore
Last game: 9-of-15, 86 yards, O TD, 0 INT in 21-7 win over Wisconsin (Oct. 25)
Season: 145-of-203 (71.4%) for 1,772 yards, 19 TD, 4 INT
Moore didn’t do much before leaving in the third quarter against Wisconsin after a blow to the face, and had the Ducks not been winning comfortably would have returned. But his first no-touchdown game of the season barely put a dent in his remarkable passing numbers for the season. His bounce back from a rough freshman year at UCLA, and his calm under would make him a good fit for the Jets.
4. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
Class: Senior
Last game: 22-of-35, 168 yards, 1 TD in 49-25 loss vs. No. 3 Texas A&M (Oct. 25)
Season: 176-of-267 (65.9%), 1,806 yards, 12 TD, 5 INT
It has been a disappointing season for Nussmeier and LSU. But even though he clearly has been less than 100% healthy and playing in a what appears to be a nightmarish leadership situation, as we’ve learned in the week since Brian Kelly was fired, Nussmeier has found a way to be productive and efficient. Finding a way to be productive in high-profile, sub-optimal situation seems like ideal training for a future Jets quarterback.
5. John Mateer, Oklahoma
Class: Junior
Last game: 19-of-29, 149 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT in 33-27 win at No. 14 Tennessee (Saturday)
Season: 169-of-265 (63.8%), 1,949 yards, 8 TD, 7 INT
Mateer didn’t have his best passing game against the Vols. But he still found a way to get the job done for the Sooners in a must-win spot, on the road, against Tennessee. He ran 16 times for a season-high 80 yards and a touchdown, continuing to prove he’s a legit dual threat – it was the third time this season he has run for at least 60 yards and he now has six rushing touchdowns on the year. The hand injury surely has hindered his passing game this season, but the door is now open for him to play himself into the first round of this year’s draft – especially with Alabama looming after a bye week.
6. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
Class: Sophomore
Last game: 16-of-30, 180 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT in 30-14 loss at No. 7 Ole Miss (Saturday)
Season: 124-of-201 (61.7%), 1,536 yards, 7 TD, 5 INT
Sellers had the chance to surge to the top of every NFL draft board with a strong season – he has all the tools any NFL talent evaluator has been looking for. But it just hasn’t materialized. South Carolina fired its offensive coordinator after Sellers struggled in the loss to Ole Miss. And coach Shane Beamer had to say publicly he’s still committed to Sellers. With two years of eligibility remaining it’s looking more and more like Sellers will return for another college season before becoming a factor in a future draft.
7. Carson Beck, Miami
Class: Senior
Last game: 26-of-38, 274 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT in 26-20 OT loss at SMU (Saturday)
Season: 174-of-240 (72.5%), 1,947 yards, 14 TD, 9 INT
It’s starting to look as if Beck will be a Day 2 option at best, which is quite a tumble from where he stood a year ago – a potential top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft before an arm injury derailed his final month of the season with Georgia. Beck’s interception at the goal line in overtime sealed Miami’s fate in the upset loss at SMU, and damaged the Hurricanes’ playoff chances. Exactly the kind of mistake you don’t want to see a veteran college quarterback making.
8. Jayden Maiava, USC
Class: Junior
Last game: 9-of-23, 135 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT, in 21-17 win at Nebraska (Saturday)
Season: 154-of-236 (65.3%), 2,315 yards, 15 TD, 5 INT
USC came into the Nebraska game as the nation’s top passing offense but Maiava presided over the team’s worst performance through the air in seen years. It would be easier to give him credit for leading the Trojans to a comeback win, if it wasn’t sparked by the season-ending injury to Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola and if his lone interception on the first throw of the second half hadn’t set the wrong tone after a rough first half. But he did have a key rushing touchdown to pull USC even in the third quarter and finished with 11 carries for 62 yards.