ClutchPoints
A whole lot can happen in a year. It was just a year ago that Robert Saleh was coaching the New York Jets. The team had high hopes for a playoff run with Aaron Rodgers returning from his Achilles injury. A year later things look quite different. Saleh and GM Joe Douglas are out, replaced by Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey. And Rodgers is gone too as New York turned quarterbacking duties over to Justin Fields.
So, predicting how the Jets will approach next year’s draft is tricky. There are obviously a number of variables that could influence the team’s decision making. But based on New York’s current needs and tendencies, there are three 2026 NFL draft prospects the Jets should keep an eye on.
First and foremost the Jets need a long term solution to the quarterback question that’s plagued the team since Joe Namath’s run ended in the late ‘70s. Yes, New York signed Fields to a two-year deal this offseason. But only $30 million is guaranteed so the contract alone won’t prevent the Jets from drafting a quarterback in 2026.
The contract didn’t even prohibit New York from taking a passer in the 2025 draft. But the team believes/hopes it has something in Fields and wants to give him a season to show what he can do without a potential replacement on the sideline complicating things.
Glenn said he believes Fields is on the verge of a breakout. Which would be great. But if the 26-year-old QB doesn’t elevate his play in his New York debut, the Jets will undoubtedly look to address the position in the draft. And if the Fields experiment fails, the team will probably be picking near the top of the first round.
Assuming Arch Manning returns to Texas for another year of college ball, Clemson’s Cade Klubnik would be an easy pick for the Jets. The electric, dual-threat quarterback was outstanding for the Tigers in 2024, amassing 4,102 total yards and 43 scores.
Klubnik would almost certainly be the first overall pick if the 2026 draft were held today. But the prospect the Jets should monitor is Penn State’s Drew Allar.
The thought of selecting a Penn State passer might give Jets fans nightmares after the team burned a second-round pick on infamous draft bust Christian Hackenberg in 2016. But Allar is worth watching after a strong junior season with the Nittany Lions.
Allar completed 66.5 percent of his passes for 3,327 yards with 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 2024. He throws an outstanding deep ball that looks effortless from his big arm. However he’s also capable of slinging the ball into tight windows and throwing passes with touch and timing.
In addition to his passing prowess, Allar brings a rushing component to his game. While he’s not necessarily a dual-threat QB, he demonstrated his athleticism and elusiveness by racking up 302 rushing yards and six scores last season.
The 6’5”, 238 pound-Allar has tantalizing size...
