As the New York Jets’ 2025 season continues to spiral, fans have once again turned their attention to the offseason and the draft. According to data from the Pro Football Network (PFSN) Mock Draft Simulator, Jets fans have shown remarkable consistency in their priorities, and it all starts under center. With another season of offensive struggles and instability at quarterback, it’s no surprise that fan-driven mock drafts overwhelmingly lean toward finding the next franchise signal-caller.
Quarterback Dominance in Fan Mocks
Across thousands of fan simulations, the data shows one glaring truth: Jets fans want a quarterback badly. The positional breakdown is heavily skewed toward offense, especially at the game’s most important position.
Here are the most commonly drafted positions by Jets fans:
- Quarterback (QB): 62.7%
- Wide Receiver (WR): 15.4%
- Defensive Tackle (DT): 5.2%
- Edge Rusher (EDGE): 4.6%
- Linebacker (LB): 3.3%
- Safety (S): 3.3%
Even with glaring needs across the roster, no position comes close to quarterback. Wide receiver is a distant second, while the defensive front, once a major strength, garners minimal focus in fan drafts.
Top Players Targeted by Jets Fans
When it comes to specific names, the data reinforces the quarterback obsession. The top of the fan draft board is loaded with passers, with three quarterbacks dominating the majority of selections.
Here are the most commonly drafted players:
- Fernando Mendoza (QB) – 37.5%
- Dante Moore (QB) – 11.7%
- Ty Simpson (QB) – 10.6%
- Chris Bell (WR) – 5.2%
- Peter Woods (DT) – 4.2%
- Jordyn Tyson (WR) – 3.5%
- Rueben Bain Jr. (EDGE) – 2.6%
- Carnell Tate (WR) – 2.5%
- LaNorris Sellers (QB) – 2.4%
- Caleb Downs (S) – 2.4%
Mendoza, Moore, and Simpson combine for nearly 60% of all Jets fan selections, showing just how locked in the fan base is on finding a long-term quarterback. Mendoza’s steady rise as the top choice reflects both his growing national reputation and the Jets’ desperation for a leader under center. With the Jets falling out of the top pick, would he even be available for them, or will they have to look at options B and C?
Quarterback Focus: A Constant Throughout the Year
From May through Sept. 1, quarterbacks consistently made up between 50% and 60% of all fan selections. That percentage briefly dipped in mid-September, likely due to early optimism around Justin Fields’ performance, but after his play declined, the quarterback selection rate spiked once again, rising above 60% as the Jets’ struggles continued.
This trend shows how fans’ confidence has mirrored the team’s on-field product. Every time the Jets tease competence, fans momentarily look elsewhere, and every time that hope fades, the focus immediately returns to the draft board and the search for a true franchise QB.
Defensive Tackle Interest Fades After Early Surge
The only other position to see notable movement was defensive tackle, which briefly challenged quarterback as the most popular pick in early September. At one point, defensive tackle selections rose from 10% in May to nearly 40% in mid-September, driven almost entirely by one player: Peter Woods of Clemson.
As Clemson’s season cooled off and the Jets’ quarterback problems resurfaced, Woods’ popularity dropped sharply. Whether that reflects Clemson’s performance or the Jets’ mounting offensive issues, one thing is certain: the urgency to fix the defense has taken a back seat to solving the quarterback crisis.
A Curious Case at Wide Receiver
Perhaps the biggest surprise in the PFSN data comes at wide receiver. Louisville’s Chris Bell ranks higher in fan selections than more hyped names like Jordyn Tyson from Arizona State, Carnell Tate from Ohio State, and even Makai Lemon from USC. Bell’s combination of size, catch radiu,s and physicality may be what draws fans, as the Jets have long lacked a big-bodied target capable of making contested catches.
What It All Says About Jets Fans
Ultimately, the PFSN Mock Draft Simulator data reveals a fan base that’s tired of temporary fixes and ready for a reset. The obsession with quarterbacks isn’t just about preference; it’s about desperation. Jets fans know that until the team finds the right player under center, no number of defensive upgrades or flashy receivers will matter.
The message is loud and clear: the Jets’ 2025 offseason must start and end with finding their next quarterback, because for this fan base, hope doesn’t begin with a draft pick at any other position.
