Six weeks into the 2025 NFL season, the New York Jets find themselves in an all-too-familiar position—staring down the barrel of another lost year. At 0-6, they’re the league’s only winless team and, for the moment, hold the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
While the draft order is still subject to change as the season progresses, the Jets currently have the luxury of picking whoever they want and all eyes are on the quarterback position.
The Jets’ ongoing instability at quarterback has been one of the franchise’s defining issues for over a decade, and with a fresh shot at the top pick, the front office is expected to cast a wide net in the search for their next franchise leader. The only problem? There’s no clear-cut QB1 in this year’s class.
Most analysts agree this is one of the deeper but more divisive quarterback classes in recent memory. Different boards feature different names at the top, with no consensus pick like previous years. However, two well-respected ESPN draft analysts, Mel Kiper Jr. and Jordan Reid, appear to agree on one rising star the Jets should have their eyes on: Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza.
Fernando Mendoza N0. 1 Overall to the Jets?
Mendoza’s Meteoric Rise
A 6’5” pocket passer who transferred from Cal in 2024, Mendoza has taken the college football world by storm. He’s led the Indiana Hoosiers to an undefeated start and vaulted them into the top 3 of the AP poll, something almost unthinkable just a year ago.
Statistically, Mendoza has been one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the nation. Through six games, he’s thrown 17 touchdowns to just two interceptions while posting a QBR of 84.2 which is seventh-best in the FBS.
His performance has been enough to earn high praise from top analysts.
“Mendoza transferred to Indiana after playing two seasons at Cal, and his game has taken off,” said Mel Kiper Jr. on ESPN’s latest big board. “The key? He has cut down on sacks, with only six so far this season after taking 41 in 2024. Mendoza is getting the ball out quicker. And while he doesn’t have a huge arm, he can make all the necessary NFL-level throws. His ball placement is fantastic. I wouldn’t consider him a dual threat, but Mendoza also has enough mobility to pick up first downs as a scrambler.”
Kiper currently ranks Mendoza as the No. 3 overall prospect and the second-best quarterback in the 2026 class. Reid went a step further, mocking Mendoza No. 1 overall to the Jets in his latest projections published October 15.
“His ability to throw precise, on-time passes suits a Jets offense that’s predicated on timing and accuracy,” Reid wrote. “In the right system, Mendoza could thrive from day one.”
What It Means for the Jets
The Jets’ current offensive identity, or lack thereof, has revolved around a carousel of inconsistent quarterback play. With the top pick in hand as of today, this could be the year they finally fully reset and rebuild the right way around a young passer. They’ve tried every situation lately from drafting a guy early and attempting to build around (Zack Wilson and Sam Darnold), a veteran with the Hall of Fame career background (Aaron Rodgers), and even the player with great potential to attempt to revive their career (Justin Fields). None has worked thus far, but going back to the fountain of youth is the proper way to rebuild a team that needs it.
Of course, other quarterback prospects remain in the conversation, including dual-threat talents and gunslingers from powerhouse programs. But Mendoza’s steady rise, clean mechanics, and maturity in the pocket have made him a name to watch and perhaps the early favorite to be wearing green and white in 2026.
With plenty of time left in the season, there’s still time for the draft landscape to shift. But for now, the Jets sit atop the draft board, with a golden opportunity to select their future leader, and the name Fernando Mendoza is gaining serious momentum in Florham Park.
Main Image: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
