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Dante Moore was poised to be the second overall pick in this year’s NFL draft, but he decided to stay in college.
Moore skyrocketed on the quarterback prospect list in his first full season with Oregon. He completed 71.2 percent of his passes for 3,565 yards, 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, propelling him into the conversation alongside Fernando Mendoza, who also skyrocketed with his Heisman Trophy-winning campaign.
The New York Jets currently hold the second pick and are once again desperate to find the future of the franchise. But one of their former quarterbacks, 1989 NFL MVP Boomer Esiason, thinks the Jets may have dodged a bullet.
Dante Moore of the Oregon Ducks gestures after a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the game against the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. The Oregon Ducks won 26-14. (Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
“I think the Jets got lucky,” Esiason said on the “Dan Patrick Show” this week.
Esiason said he urged Moore, on his New York radio show, to “stay in school” because he “needs[ed] more playing time.” He only started 18 Division I games.
“I think he made the right decision. And I’m sure he’s going to get a good salary from Oregon. But he’s making a $50 million bet on himself, which is really incredible,” Esiason added.
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore (5) passes against Indiana during the second half of the Peach Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal in Atlanta, Georgia, January 9, 2026. (Brynn Anderson/AP Photo)
Esiason also pointed to the possibility of Arch Manning in 2027, when the Jets could still take a chance on Moore anyway.
“Maybe they’ll be in a better situation to draft one of these guys next year, which means I don’t think you want to go out there and try to win six or seven games,” Esiason said. “Realistically, if you look at it, if you want one of these young quarterbacks to change your franchise like Jaxson Dart is doing here for the Giants, you’re going to have another bad year next year to be at the top of this draft and be able to select that guy.”
Trinidad Chambliss and Ty Simpson are expected to be available for the Jets, who also have the 16th and 33rd picks in the draft.
The Jets aren’t the only team affected, however. Dylan Raiola, a former five-star recruit, just transferred to Oregon, but the newcomer is now expected to back up Moore in 2026.
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore (5) passes against Indiana during the second half of the Peach Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal in Atlanta, Georgia, January 9, 2026. (Brynn Anderson/AP Photo)
After the Jets’ new leadership severed ties with Aaron Rodgers, who made the playoffs with the Pittsburgh Steelers, they started Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor and Brady Cook this season.
