Jets Land QB, Top LB in Mel Kiper's 2026 NFL Mock Draft After Dante Moore's Oregon Return

After Dante Moore's decision to return to Oregon, the New York Jets aren't expected to use the No. 2 pick in the 2026 NFL draft on a quarterback, but that doesn't mean they'll end the first round without a signal-caller.

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. predicted in his latest mock draft that the Jets will manage to address both sides of the ball since they own the Indianapolis Colts' No. 16 pick, using No. 2 to select Ohio State edge rusher Arvell Reese and the latter selection to add Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson.

The full top 10 of Kiper's latest mock draft is as follows:

1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State
3. Arizona Cardinals: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
4. Tennessee Titans: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
5. New York Giants: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
6. Cleveland Browns: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
7. Washington Commanders: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
8. New Orleans Saints: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
9. Kansas City Chiefs: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
10. Cincinnati Bengals: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

2025 Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza is the only quarterback prospect considered worthy of a top-10 pick in this year's draft, but Kiper considers Simpson the QB2 of the 2026 class. While there are some concerns over his lack of experience with just 15 career college starts, Kiper suggested that he's worth the risk.

"There's also no questioning his upside," Kiper said. "Simpson has good pocket presence, and he fired 28 touchdown passes and only five interceptions this past season. If the Jets can surround him with talent on offense and develop him, he has a high ceiling."

As for Reese, the Jets need to inject some new life into their defense after finishing 31st in the NFL in sacks in 2025. New York appears likely to lose linebacker Quincy Williams to free agency this offseason, creating an immediate hole for Reese to fill.

"With coach Aaron Glenn's defensive background, getting that unit right will be an offseason priority," Kiper explained. "Reese played off the ball before moving into an edge rusher role in 2025, and he has the traits to make an impact there in the NFL. I love his instincts and burst."

There are certainly worse scenarios for the Jets than landing the No. 1 edge rusher and No. 2 quarterback in the first round of the 2026 draft, so fans would likely be content with selecting Reese and Simpson to be cornerstones of the franchise going forward.