The New York Jets hold a pivotal position in the 2026 NFL Draft, armed with the No. 2 and No. 16 overall picks. While the quarterback conversation is front and center, ESPN's legendary draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has poured cold water on one popular speculative match.

Despite the Jets' clear need under center, Kiper has emphatically shut down the idea of Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson landing in New York with the 16th selection. "The Jets are not taking Ty Simpson at 16," Kiper stated definitively, leaving little room for interpretation about a first-round union.

This insight shifts the draft landscape for Gang Green, suggesting the front office's plans at QB—whether with the coveted second pick or via a later-round strategy—lie elsewhere. For Jets fans and draft enthusiasts, it's a key piece of intel as the big board continues to take shape.