Dante Moore is one of the top quarterback prospects who may be available in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. The New York Jets are expected to target the position, and with the number two overall pick, they could potentially select him. A draft expert advised the prospective rookie to avoid landing with New York by using a bold strategy.
Dante Moore Advised to Avoid Jets in 2026 NFL Draft
Many around the NFL who evaluate draft prospects rank Moore among the top two quarterbacks this year. Both teams with top two picks this year need quarterbacks, and with the Jets picking second, Moore makes sense as a logical target for them.
Todd McShay, one of the most respected NFL Draft analysts, recently advised the quarterback prospect to make sure he avoids this situation. He explained during an episode of “The McShay Show” what he believes to be his best strategy to make sure he doesn’t end up in New York in an apparently undesirable situation.
“If you’re representing Dante Moore … I can’t allow him to go to the New York Jets … He’s got an opportunity to go back to Oregon and probably make the same amount of money that he’s going to make in his rookie contract … I promise you, not one single player in this entire draft, unless they grew up a Jets fan or have some kind of family tie, wants to be a New York Jet,” stated McShay.
Todd McShay says Dante Moore’s agents should call the Raiders to see if he can go No. 1. If not, he advises Moore to return to school rather than risk being drafted by the Jets.
“I promise you no single player in this draft wants to be a New York Jet.” pic.twitter.com/r0V98QuUQd
— Jake Asman (@JakeAsman) January 5, 2026
His advice centered around the Oregon Ducks superstar reaching out to the Las Vegas Raiders and gauging whether they are planning to draft either him or Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick. If it’s not expected to be him, then McShay urged him to instead return to college football.
He explained that he could probably make about the same amount of money returning for another collegiate season as he would being drafted this year. Jets reporter Connor Hughes added more details on the financial implications of his potential decision.
“NIL changes things, though. He can go back to college for $10m+ if he decides he’s not ready for NFL, or simply doesn’t want to play for the team slated to pick him. We’re in a completely new world with this stuff,” reported Hughes.
PFSN’s NFL Draft analyst Ian Cummings recently compared Moore’s potential to that of CJ Stroud. “He has the profile to be a contender for the No. 1 overall pick, bearing similarity to Texans Pro Bowler CJ Stroud.
With a strong PFSN QB Impact grade of 85.9, Moore’s efficiency is tried and true, and it’s a byproduct of his play style. Moore is a composed field general both in-structure and off-platform, with easy arm talent and elasticity, keen field vision, accuracy, and steely resolve in the clutch.”
Mendoza currently ranks second in PFSN’s QB Impact Rankings for college quarterbacks, and most expect him to be the first-overall pick by the Raiders. If this is the case, Moore would likely be the most logical target for the Jets, but if he believes this to be a bad situation for his overall outlook as a prospect, his reported financial situation gives him plenty of flexibility, as the NFL contract may not be an immediate necessity.
