In a stunning turn of events, Dante Moore will pass on entering the 2026 NFL Draft. Creating a giant mess for Oregon and the team expected to select him in April, the New York Jets.
Last week’s Peach Bowl game was not only for a chance to get to the National Championship game, but it was an unofficial battle to be the No. 1 pick in the draft. Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza and Moore are considered the top two QBs in this year’s class. And after four quarters, there was no doubt who the Las Vegas Raiders would select at No. 1 overall: Mendoza.
Nevertheless, many draft scouts are very high on Moore, and most assume the NY Jets would use their pick at No. 2 on the Ducks star. Well, they won’t get that chance in April. To the surprise of the entire sport, Moore announced that he plans to return to Oregon for his junior season and forego the NFL Draft.
The news is terrible for Gang Green. If there is one thing the team badly needs to improve in the short and long-term this offseason, it is the QB spot. Landing the No. 2 pick offered a chance to do that. However, now with Moore off the board, the next best QB prospect — Alabama’s Ty Simpson — is not worth being the second overall pick.
The NY Jets can stay at that spot and pick the best available player, or they can trade down in the event and get more draft assets. Both options are not bad. However, in the end, they will either have to use a pick on a riskier option from college ranks later in the event or seek out another veteran option in the trade or free agent market this spring.
Dante Moore’s Decision Creates QB Controversy at Oregon
In most cases, Dante Moore choosing to stay at Oregon instead of going to the NFL would lead to massive praise in Eugene. He was one of the best QBs in the nation last season and led the Ducks to the semifinals of the college football playoffs.
However, his stunning decision creates a messy situation for the program. With projections having him going in the top five of the NFL Draft, the universal assumption at the school and around the country was that he would make the jump to the pros. Because of that strong expectation, Oregon pursued a top QB in the transfer portal and landed one in Nebraska star Dylan Raiola.
No doubt, Raiola is costing the school some serious money. But instead of those funds going to a starting QB, he is sure to be backing up Moore next season. There is a chance Moore could jump into the portal just before it closes, but that is unlikely considering how Oregon has turned him into a top draft prospect.
Now, the summer could see an unexpected QB battle between a pair of top 20 signal callers in the nation.
