ESPN Has The New York Jets Picking An Unlikely Quarterback No. 1 Overall In 2026 NFL Mock Draft
The NFL season is in full swing, but for fans of struggling teams, all eyes are already on the future, especially for the New York Jets. Mock draft season provides a glimpse of hope, a look at the college prospects who could one day change a franchise’s fortunes. In a surprising new 2026 NFL Mock Draft, ESPN’s Jordan Reid has made a bold prediction that has the football world buzzing: Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza to the New York Jets with the first overall pick.
New York Jets: Who is Fernando Mendoza?
For many casual football fans, Fernando Mendoza’s name at the top of a mock draft may come as a surprise. However, those following college football have witnessed his impressive ascent. After transferring from Cal to Indiana, Mendoza has quickly established himself as one of the most efficient and effective quarterbacks in the nation.
In his first season with the Hoosiers, Mendoza has put up eye-popping numbers, throwing for 17 touchdown passes against just two interceptions. His QBR of 84.2 ranks seventh in the entire FBS, a clear indicator of his high level of play. Reid describes Mendoza as a “decisive pocket passer” who excels at throwing “precise, on-time passes.” This skill set is highly valued in the NFL, particularly in offensive schemes that rely on rhythm and timing—much like the system the Jets currently run.
Mendoza’s ability to process defenses quickly and deliver the ball accurately makes him an ideal modern NFL quarterback prospect. While he may not have been on the national radar at the start of the season, his consistent production and pro-style attributes have catapulted him into the conversation as one of the top players in the 2026 draft class.
Why the Jets Might Target a Quarterback…Again
The idea of the Jets using another first-round pick on a quarterback might seem exhausting to their long-suffering fanbase, but the team’s current situation makes it a very real possibility. The Jets are projected to have the No. 1 pick based on their dismal 0-6 start to the season, a record largely due to an anemic offense.
The trade for Justin Fields, which was meant to solve the team’s quarterback woes, has not gone as planned. Fields has struggled to find consistency, and the offense has been among the worst in the league. If this trend continues, the Jets’ front office will be under immense pressure to find a true franchise-altering talent.
In his mock draft, Reid notes that the Jets need more than just a new quarterback; they need a “jolt of optimism.” Drafting a player like Mendoza, who has shown exceptional poise and accuracy at the college level, would represent a fresh start. His profile as a precise pocket passer would be a perfect fit for the Jets’ offensive scheme, providing a potential long-term solution at the most important position in sports. With another failed season, the Jets simply cannot afford to pass on a top quarterback prospect if they are sitting at number one.
What a Mendoza Pick Would Mean for New York
Selecting Fernando Mendoza first overall would signal a major pivot for the Jets organization. It would effectively be an admission that the Justin Fields experiment was a failure and that the team is once again hitting the reset button at quarterback. While this may be a bitter pill for some fans to swallow, it could be a necessary step toward building a sustainable winner.
This pick would give the team a talented, cost-controlled quarterback on a rookie contract for the next five years. This would provide the financial flexibility to build a strong roster around him, addressing other needs on the offensive line and at the skill positions. For a team that has been stuck in a cycle of mediocrity for over a decade, drafting a player with Mendoza’s polish and potential could finally provide a clear direction and a foundational piece to build around.
It’s important to remember that this is still a very early projection. The NFL and college football seasons are far from over, and draft boards will change countless times between now and April 2026. However, this mock draft serves as a significant indicator of two things: Fernando Mendoza is a legitimate top prospect, and the New York Jets are in desperate need of a franchise savior. Whether Mendoza ultimately becomes that savior remains to be seen, but his name is now firmly in the conversation.
