The New York Jets have an interesting off-season ahead. They are one of the few teams in the league that possess multiple first-round picks in the 2027 NFL Draft. That alone is a powerful position, but there's a good chance that more than one of those picks ends up in the Top 10 of next year's draft. Because of that, there's a lot of hype about what New York can do in the draft.

One of the biggest questions that the Jets need to answer, even as early as Week 9 of this season, is what positions they are looking to shore up at the draft. One of the most common answers is, of course, at quarterback. New York has a lot of intriguing pieces on offense, but they lack a true franchise quarterback. This year was projected to be one of the deeper classes at the position, especially with young quarterback Arch Manning leading the way.

However, things have drastically changed since the start of the CFB and NFL seasons. The quarterbacks originally projected to go high in the draft are likely staying in college, and there's a lot more uncertainty regarding the QB draft class. Should the Jets abandon the plan to draft a quarterback… or do they still roll the dice on one of their picks?

Jets should draft a quarterback in the top 10 of 2027 NFL Draft

Yes, the quarterback draft class has seemingly gotten thinner next year. Dante Moore's season-ending concussion has made him slide down draft boards, and Manning hasn't been spectacular and is likely to go back to college next year. The rumors about quarterbacks returning to college aren't limited to Manning, either: there are rumors that multiple quarterbacks in this year's draft class might stay for one more year in college.

That list includes Moore and the current consensus top quarterback in next year's draft: Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker. Mestemaker, who shot up draft boards this season with his breakout performance, isn't a sure-fire lock to declare for the NFL draft. Moore is likely staying in Oregon to bolster his draft stock after his injury derailed his 2026 campaign. The only quarterback who's likely committing for the draft is Darian Mensah, but even he's not a sure-fire lock to declare for the draft.

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Even if players like Mestemaker and Mensah declare for the draft, is it still a good idea for the Jets to draft one of them in the first round? There are other QB-needy teams out there who might end up snagging one or the other early on. Both quarterbacks also aren't home-run picks, per se: they're more of the usual run-of-the-mill top draft prospects: immense potential, but with clear weaknesses that need to be worked on.

That should not deter the Jets from taking a shot at either Mestemaker, Mensah, or Manning if the situation presents itself. The Jets aren't quite a team that's “one quarterback away”, they'll need more work on their roster to make sure that a quarterback can lead them to success. They don't necessarily need a “win-now” or “NFL-ready” quarterback yet; they can work with a project quarterback and let him develop.

Quarterback development has historically been one of the Jets' biggest weaknesses, yes. That being said, New York really doesn't have any other avenue to acquire a quarterback, other than trading their draft picks for a proven veteran. As we've already mentioned, though, that would be an ill-advised move. Unless the three quarterbacks we mentioned above don't declare for the 2027 NFL draft, New York is better off drafting one of them and giving him time to grow. If they don't declare, though… reaching for a quarterback that high would be ill-advised.