The New York Jets were one of the worst teams in the NFL in 2025. For many years now, the team has struggled to find a franchise quarterback, but that could potentially change this offseason.
The team recently traded for an old friend, Geno Smith, who was drafted by the team and spent four years playing for them. However, Smith is not a long-term fix at quarterback, and one NFL draft analyst thinks the team could still take a passer in the first round in 2026.
Mel Kiper Predicts the Jets Will Draft Ty Simpson
Smith should raise the team’s floor and be a decent starter, but the team desperately needs to secure a franchise passer. This draft class isn’t considered strong at quarterback, but there are a couple of intriguing options.
Thanks to a trade with the Indianapolis Colts involving Sauce Gardner, the Jets own two first-round picks in 2026. The No. 2 pick is likely too high to draft a passer, but the No. 16 pick they got from the Colts could be the perfect spot.
In Mel Kiper’s latest mock, he has the Jets selecting Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson at 16. Simpson is widely thought of as the best quarterback prospect in this class behind Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza.
Regarding Simpson’s fit in New York, Kiper offered the following analysis:
The Jets don’t have to draft a quarterback here. They traded for Geno Smith as a bridge option and have three first-round picks in 2027, when the QB class should be a lot better. But this is a good range for Simpson, who has only 15 career starts but throws with accuracy, processes quickly, and moves well in the pocket. He threw 28 touchdown passes in 2025 and is a first-round QB in my book.
As Kiper mentioned, the Jets don’t have to take a quarterback here. The team has Smith for at least the 2026 season and three first-round picks to use in 2027.
It’s also possible the team feels Simpson is too good to pass on. The Alabama product threw for 3,567 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2025, while leading the Crimson Tide to the College Football Playoff.
Jets Restarting at Quarterback After Disastrous 2025 Season
Not much went right for the Jets in 2025, and as a result, the team is making some big changes. Smith was brought back to be the quarterback while 2025 starter Justin Fields was shipped out to the Kansas City Chiefs.
BE AN NFL GM: PFSN’s Ultimate GM Simulator
In 2025, Smith earned a mediocre 68.6 grade from the PFSN NFL QB Impact metric. The veteran threw for 3,025 yards but also led the NFL with 17 interceptions. The Jets are hoping Smith’s 2025 season was a fluke and that he will go back to being a solid starter.
Even if Smith regains his prior form, he’s still 35 and not a long-term answer. It will be interesting to see if the Jets take Simpson as Kiper predicted, or if they wait until next year’s deeper class.
