Jets take a controversial path to find their quarterback in a new 2026 NFL mock draft, but it could be what’s best for them

The Jets go against the status quo and take an out of the box approach to find their franchise QB in new 2026 mock draft.

Destin Adams — NFL News Writer
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Jets head coach Aaron Glenn
Julian Leshay Guadalupe/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Since the New York Jets’ moves at the trade deadline, many believe they are in a prime position to trade up for their QB of the future in the 2026 NFL Draft. They certainly have the capital to do it, as they own four selections inside the top 50 picks, with two picks in both the first and second rounds. 

Instead of decreasing their war chest to trade up, though, they could add four talented players who could have an immediate impact. A recent two-round mock draft from A to Z Sports has the Jets bypassing a QB in round one and instead targeting an intriguing option in round two.

The Jets’ selections in this mock draft

  • Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (Round 1, pick 5)
  • Makai Lemon, WR, USC (Round 1, pick 18)
  • Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama (Round 2, pick 36)
  • Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State (Round 2, pick 46)
Alabama QB Ty Simpson
Alabama’s Ty Simpson (15) celebrates following the College Football Playoff game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Alabama Crimson Tide at the Gaylord Family Ð Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla.SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Jets select Alabama QB Ty Simpson in the second round of new mock draft

At times this year, Alabama’s Ty Simpson was viewed as a Heisman candidate and in the conversation to be the top QB in the 2026 NFL Draft class. There’s been some bumps in the road along the way for Simpson, though, and he ended up not being invited to New York for the Heisman ceremony, and many believe he will fall out of Round 1 if he declares. In this mock scenario, this happened, and the Jets selected him at pick 36. 

Due to passing on the QB in the first round, the Jets landed two dynamic players, one on each side of the ball. First, Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr., who can be a day one starter at EDGE or DT, and USC’s Makai Lemon, who would form a great WR duo with Garrett Willson. The Jets need to find their future at the QB position, but their roster also needs more talent in general, so a mock like this could be precisely what they need. 

Simpson is not a perfect QB prospect, but he can make every single throw an NFL staff could want. He has had some big games against SEC opponents to show he can step up in big games. He will need a coaching staff to work on improving his overall process and help him reach the ceiling of his overall skillset. 

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