Jets Land Prediction to Make Sleeper Quarterback Decision

The New York Jets may look to add a young quarterback during the later stages of the 2026 NFL Draft as they continue building for the future.

Recent projections suggest the team could find value on day three rather than using an early selection on the position. A seven-round mock draft from Pro Football Network highlighted one intriguing possibility, with the Jets selecting North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton in the fourth round at the No. 140 overall pick.

Standing at 6-foot-3 and 232 pounds, Payton is a physically imposing 23-year-old who will celebrate his 24th birthday during his first NFL season. His combination of size and athleticism has drawn attention from evaluators looking for developmental prospects.

“Payton is a dual-threat, single-season FCS starter with good size. He’s a lefty with shoddy mechanics and subpar arm talent, but he still manages to deliver throws with touch to all three levels. He lacks drive velocity to dot throws into tight windows and might not have the timing needed to outfox pro zone defenders, though. He’s not shifty but excels when short yardage is needed and has build-up speed for explosive runs once he gets rolling. Payton projects as a QB3 and will require packaged plays to take advantage of his rushing ability until he proves himself a functional pocket passer,” NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein wrote.

Another analyst took a different approach to evaluating draft fits. Ben Solak of ESPN mapped out ideal landing spots for all quarterbacks expected to be available in the 2026 class. In that breakdown, he also linked Payton to the Jets, suggesting the No. 179 overall selection in the fifth round would be an optimal time for New York to make the move.

Payton put together a productive final college campaign, completing 72 percent of his passes for 2,719 yards while posting a 16-to-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He also contributed significantly on the ground with 13 rushing touchdowns, showcasing the kind of mobility that could translate into creative offensive packages.

With Geno Smith entrenched as the starter heading into 2026, the Jets would not be asking any rookie to step in immediately under center. Instead, a creative offensive coordinator could design specific sub-packages that highlight Payton’s dual-threat traits without forcing him into full-time pocket duties right away.

That kind of willingness to contribute in a specialized role could prove important. Justin Fields showed reluctance to embrace a reduced role after losing his starting job last season, but Payton appears more adaptable and open to such opportunities during his early development.

The Jets enter the draft armed with nine total selections, giving them flexibility to address multiple needs. Discussions around the quarterback position have centered on timing, with no consensus on the ideal moment to invest beyond the top prospects. Many view Fernando Mendoza as the clear top option at the position, followed by a noticeable tier drop before reaching players like Simpson.

Given that gap in talent, the organization might exercise patience with mid-round or later selections. Taking a late flyer on a quarterback like Simpson would only make sense if the team has genuine conviction about his upside, especially with a strong draft class projected for 2027.

For now, the most measured path could involve navigating the 2026 season without committing premium resources at quarterback. This approach would allow the Jets to preserve assets and position themselves to target a higher-caliber prospect once the next draft cycle arrives, striking at the right moment for long-term success.