Dante Moore is not declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft. What does this decision mean for teams like the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers who are looking for answers at the quarterback position?
Assuming the Las Vegas Raiders are locked in on Fernando Mendoza, quarterbacks like Alabama’s Ty Simpson and Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss will get extension looks by those teams to see if they could be the answer. Otherwise look for those teams to take flyers at the position and put their hope in the 2027 NFL Draft where Moore, South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers, Texas' Arch Manning and Ohio State's Justin Sayin lead the field.
What are those options?
With veteran quarterbacks like Kyler Murray and Kirk Cousins available via trade, there are options for short-term signal callers. Will any of the teams above give up the draft capital to land either Murray or Cousins is the question. Look for teams like the Dolphins and Steelers to be among teams discussed in rumors for either QB.
As far as the draft, there are some options with quarterback talent once mentioned as top prospects like Carson Beck, Garrett Nussmeier and Drew Allar. In the right system and with the right offensive coordinator, could one of those QBs ease into an ideal situation where their talent can be re-defined? Without Moore, this draft isn’t as sexy, but it’s not void of QB talent.
In this NFL Divisional round edition of the 2026 NFL Mock Draft, we examine how Moore’s decision changes the top 10 f the 2026 NFL Draft.
2026 NFL Mock Draft Top 5: Raiders stick with top prize; Jets add top talent in other areas
In a draft order determined by record, the Raiders start it off with the No. 1 overall pick.
No. 1: Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
With Dante Moore returning to Oregon, there is no question the top quarterback taken in the 2026 NFL Draft will be Fernando Mendoza. The big question is whether the Las Vegas Raiders will use the No. 1 overall pick on him. They should and will in this mock draft, but with the Raiders you never know. With the top pick in the draft expected to be Mendoza, the Raiders lead an interesting head coach search. Could that search lead them to an offensive minded coach like Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady? It will be an interesting couple of weeks for the Raiders.
No. 2: New Yor Jets– Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
Instead of reaching for a quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick, the New York Jets select the best player available which is Ohio State’s Arvell Reese. In totaling just 26 sacks in 2025, the Jets gear for a major upgrade off the edge and Reese is a player who can provide that explosiveness off the edge like a Micah Parsons, but he is also versatile enough to lineup in multiple roles. With his speed, he’ll be an instant impact player on the Jets’ defense with one of his only weaknesses being his over-aggressive nature. When he plays under control, he impacts the football field wherever he lines up.
No. 3: Arizona Cardinals – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
The Cardinals are a team to watch when it comes to quarterbacks in this draft. Again, the talent is not deep, so the Cardinals also select the best player available at No. 3 which is Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. With Budda Baker getting up there in age and Jalen Thompson pending free agency, the Cardinals will be primed to add the best defensive back in the draft in Downs. They do have other needs like offensive line depth and more beef along the defensive line, but they can’t pass up on a generational talent like Downs to hold down the safety position for years to come.
Ohio State’s Caleb Downs locks up Defensive Back of the Year 🚫 🔥 pic.twitter.com/34As2XQnm0
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) December 13, 2025
No. 4: Tennessee Titans – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
With the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Titans select Jordyn Tyson out of Arizona State. There will be some debate whether Tyson is the best receiver in this draft, but the Titans need a No. 1 option for Cam Ward to get the ball to and Tyson brings that type of talent to the field. At 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, Tyson is an elite route-runner who has the size and strength to win tightly contested battles with defenders. He does have some durability concerns, but when healthy, he is an asset for any young quarterback on any team.
No.5: New York Giants – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The Giants, who appear to have their next head coach in John Harbaugh, are a team that is a good coach and a few good players away from turning things around. The Giants have a few needs but use the No. 5 pick to land another receiver. In selecting Carnell Tate, the Giants add another weapon around Jaxson Dart and a player who will complement the talents of a healthy Malik Nabers who will be returning after a season-ending ACL tear. With Nabers working his way back to full strength, the Giants will need a receiver like Tate to help take the pressure off Nabers. With his ability to make plays down the field, Tate fills that role.