Jets QB Options Beyond Ty Simpson in the 2026 NFL Draft

Quarterback is always on the mind of the Jets organization, as the position has been tough to solve for many years now.  Ty Simpson has been on the minds of everyone in the sports world.  Whether it’s morning talk shows like Get Up, which have been nonstop discussing Ty Simpson and whether he’s worthy of going 16th overall to the Jets, or analysts like Mel Kiper Jr mocking him to New York, Simpson has been one of the most talked-about prospects in recent weeks.  

Besides Ty Simpson, there are a ton of QB prospects in the 2026 NFL draft for the Jets to draft.  Teams might be hesitant to draft a QB with a high pick, as everyone is gearing up to draft a QB in the 2027 draft.  The class is loaded with QB talent and so far is regarded as potentially the best QB class ever, as players like Arch Manning, Dante Moore, and Julian Sayin lead the class.  But that doesn’t mean that the QBs in this year’s class don’t deserve a chance at making the case of being a team’s franchise QB.   

Drew Allar

Allar had the opportunity to declare for the draft last year but decided to return to school to add more experience and wisdom to his game, as he thought he was not ready for the pros.  Though what looked like a good decision, he ended up suffering a broken left ankle five games into his season, ending his season indefinitely.  

The former Nitty Lion QB sparks much debate surrounding him as a prospect.  Though it’s hard to evaluate Allar from this past season with very little tape, his 2024 tape shows flashes of his potential.  Allar’s frame stands out; he has the perfect QB frame to command the pocket as he is 6 ‘5”, weighing 235 pounds.  He’s known for his arm talent as he has one of the strongest arms in the class, along with great accuracy.  Incredible ball security as he’s shown caution when leading as QB with very low turnover numbers.  

What people knock him for is erratic footwork, limited mobility, and concerns with his development.  If put in the right offense system and situation, he could thrive in the NFL.  Frank Reich’s offense has historically benefited QB’s with a frame like Allar’s, something to consider.  

Carson Beck

Like Allar, Beck has a QB frame of 6’5”, 233 Ibs.  Beck started his career at Georgia, where he was a productive QB for the Bulldogs, going 24-3, setting a school record for completion percentage (68.0%), and is ranked 6th all-time in UGA passing yards (7,912) and 58 touchdowns.  His best year came in 2023 in his first year as a starter, going 13-1, throwing for 3,941 yards with 24 touchdowns and 6 interceptions.  

Instead of declaring for the draft, Beck decided to transfer to Miami in 2025 for a fresh start. After suffering a UCL injury in his elbow that ended his season and a dip in his draft stock, he thought Miami was the best thing for his future.  As a result, it paid off dividends as Beck was a key component in the Hurricanes’ run to their first College Football Playoff National Championship appearance since 2002.  Beck set a school record with a 72.4% completion rate, throwing for 3,813 yards and 30 touchdowns.  He was third-team All-ACC, was offensive MVP of the Fiesta Bowl/College Football Playoff semifinal win over Ole Miss (268 passing yards, 3 total TDs).

Coming into the draft, he’s projected as an early-to-mid day 2 draft spot, considering from where it was after his last season at Georgia, Beck’s gamble to transfer to Miami worked out well.  As a prospect, Beck shows great pocket management, using his footwork to avoid pressure and extend plays, accurate timing with his ball placement, and has elite processing of the field as he dominates in play action.   What worries NFL teams is his struggle under pressure, a dip in his completion percentage, and average arm strength.  

Beck’s football journey is remarkable, but that’s for NFL teams, especially the Jets, to decide if he’s worth taking in this year’s draft.

Garrett Nussmeier

Out of all the QBs in this year’s class, Garrett Nussmeier has the most high upside as a prospect.  The son of current Saints offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier, Garrett benefited from having a professional QB and coach as his father due to his experience in college and in the pros.  

Nussmeier started his LSU tenure in 2021 redshirting, then started to see game time action as the years went along.  In 2023, he backed up Heisman trophy winner and current Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels.  The next year, in 2024, he took over as the starter and didn’t disappoint.  He went on to be a finalist for the Manning Award, ranked 3rd in the FBS with 337 completions, 5th in passing yards with 4,052, and had a TD/INT ratio of 29/12.  He was named the Texas Bowl MVP, defeating Baylor.  Last year, Nussmeier was limited to 9 starts due to an abdominal injury he suffered in fall camp that he later aggravated last November.  In those throwing for 1,927 passing yards, 12 TDs, and 5 INTs.  

Coming into the draft, Nussmeier is a QB that shows great arm talent and aggression, where he throws into tight windows and is not afraid to challenge a defense, shows resilience, is great in play action as he excels on designed rollouts, and has great pocket presence.  

People do question his size and whether he has the QB frame to last in the NFL.  Along with inconsistency with his decision-making, he’s known to be erratic from snap to snap.  There’s potential with Nussmeier if put into the right situation and developed correctly.  The upside is there; it just depends if a team wants to take the risk. 

Final Thoughts

All the QBs mentioned would be good fits for the Jets, due to Frank Reich’s offense tailoring to QB’s with tall frames.  Reich’s offense requires QBs who have the pocket presence to deliver in play-action plays, to WR’s running in-breaking routes and mesh concepts, and the QBs listed can do what’s required to run the Jets offense.  

The question is, will the Jets use one of their premium picks on one of the QB’s in this year’s draft?  Reports have circulated that the Jets are likely to wait until next year’s draft, which is expected to be loaded with QB talent.  Todd McShay explained on his show that the Jets and Browns will likely pass on Simpson and wait until next year’s draft to find their franchise QB. 

The Jets have been linked to players like Beck, Allar, and Nussmeier.  If the Jets think they can draft one of these QBs and develop them from within, it’s worth a shot, but if they think next year’s class has more options at QB, then it’s worth the wait, especially with the amount of talent that’s supposed to declare.  As the Jets build their roster, it’s wise to wait on putting all the chips on the table and spending a premium pick on a QB in this year’s draft while the Jets have other holes to fill on the roster.  Look at QB’s like Sam Darnold, the Seahawks gave Darnold the best possible environment to succeed.  Darren Mougey and Aaron Glenn are trying their best to make the best roster possible through their vision, so when it comes to drafting a rookie QB, the Jets will be ready.  

If the Jets have learned from their past, then things will change; if not, then it’ll just be the same old Jets.  Until then, we just hope for the best. 

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