Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
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Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza speaking to the media after a college football game.
The New York Jets continue their search for a franchise quarterback.
As the only winless team in the NFL, the Jets would hold the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft. ESPN’s Jordan Reid posted a mock draft on Wednesday, October 15, and predicted the green and white would take a quarterback.
2026 No. 1 overall pick in the first round: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
“The Jets are 0-6 and their offense is among the NFL’s worst. Justin Fields hasn’t worked out to this point, and New York doesn’t need just a franchise quarterback. It needs a jolt of optimism. Mendoza is a decisive pocket passer who has impressed this season after transferring to Indiana from Cal, throwing 17 touchdown passes to two interceptions with a QBR of 84.2 that ranks seventh in the FBS. His ability to throw precise, on-time passes suits a Jets offense that’s predicated on timing and accuracy,” Reid wrote.
He stands at 6-foot-5 and tips the scales at 225 pounds, per the official Indiana roster sheet.
An Intriguing Prospect for the Jets to Develop
On Mel Kiper Jr’s ESPN 2026 big board, he has Mendoza ranked as the third-best overall prospect in this draft class and the second-ranked quarterback.
“Mendoza transferred to Indiana after playing two seasons at Cal, and his game has taken off. The key? He has cut down on sacks, with only six so far this season after taking 41 in 2024. Mendoza is getting the ball out quicker. And while he doesn’t have a huge arm, he can make all the necessary NFL-level throws. His ball placement is fantastic. I wouldn’t consider him a dual threat, but Mendoza also has enough mobility to pick up first downs as a scrambler,” Kiper explained.
Mendoza is having a career year at Indiana. Through the first six games of the season, he has completed 71.2% of his passes, has thrown for 1,423 passing yards, has 9.3 yards gained per pass attempt, and he owns a 17 touchdown to two interception ratio.
Jets Will Continue to Swing at Quarterback Until They Get It Right
Since 2009, the Jets have selected three quarterbacks with top-five picks: Mark Sanchez (2009), Sam Darnold (2018), and Zach Wilson (2021).
It appears the Jets are set to add to that history. The green and white are winless at 0-6, and their quarterback situation remains dire.
Justin Fields Controls His Destiny, Jets QB Future
The messaging is very simple for Jets starting quarterback Justin Fields: play better and win games.
If Fields can accomplish that, the Jets will fall in the 2026 NFL draft order. The further they fall, the less likely they are to take a quarterback.
However, if he continues to play poorly and therefore loses games, then the Jets will have no choice but to reset at the quarterback position.
The Jets made a worthwhile gamble by bringing Fields in. He was the best available quarterback that would have realistically come to New York. So far, it has been up and down. That is who Fields has been throughout his NFL career. If that doesn’t change, Fields’ long-term future with the Jets becomes less clear.