Dante Moore's surprising decision to remain with the Oregon Ducks for another season, rather than declare for the 2026 NFL Draft, has significantly altered the professional football landscape, creating immediate challenges for several franchises. This unforeseen development reshapes the upcoming draft class, particularly for teams in dire need of a top-tier signal-caller, most notably the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins, who are now left with fewer viable options in a less talent-rich pool.
Before Moore's announcement, he was widely projected to be one of the first two quarterbacks selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, with many mock drafts placing him as the second overall pick, likely headed to the New York Jets. The consensus among analysts was that Fernando Mendoza from Indiana would be the first quarterback off the board, destined for the Las Vegas Raiders. Moore's withdrawal from the draft significantly diminishes the quality of available quarterback talent, leaving a void that will be difficult to fill for teams like the Jets, who hold substantial salary cap space but now face a scarcity of immediate impact players at the position.
The repercussions extend beyond the Jets, profoundly affecting their AFC East rivals, the Miami Dolphins. While the Jets' reduced options might seem like a small win for Miami, the broader market implications are less favorable. The Dolphins currently have Tua Tagovailoa and Quinn Ewers under contract, but with Tagovailoa's future in Miami uncertain and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan potentially lacking confidence in Ewers as the long-term solution, the team is likely seeking a new quarterback. Moore's departure from the draft class leaves a less inspiring selection of quarterbacks, with Mendoza potentially being the only one considered worthy of a first-round pick.
This scenario might compel the Dolphins to defer their quarterback search until the 2027 draft class, which is anticipated to be much stronger and, according to some experts like Todd McShay, could be one of the greatest ever. However, this wait-and-see approach could be complicated by increased competition from other teams, including the Jets, who now also need an immediate quarterback solution. The availability of free agent passers like Daniel Jones and Malik Willis becomes more critical, and their market value is likely to inflate, presenting a significant hurdle for the Dolphins, who already possess limited salary cap flexibility. The dwindling pool of appealing options at quarterback could leave Sullivan with fewer viable choices for the upcoming season, exacerbating an already challenging situation for Miami.
The unexpected decision by Dante Moore to remain in college football has undeniably created a ripple effect across the NFL, forcing teams with quarterback vacancies to re-evaluate their strategies. This shift has particularly intensified the challenges for the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins, as they navigate a significantly altered draft landscape and a more competitive free agency market for quarterback talent, highlighting the profound impact of a single player's choice on the league's future dynamics.