Quarterback Dante Moore will not enter the 2026 NFL Draft. Moore announced on Wednesday that he will return to Oregon for his junior season.
This is a major blow to teams aiming to use a high pick on a quarterback in this year’s draft. Before Moore decided to stay in school, he and Indiana’s Heisman Trophy-winning signal-caller, Fernando Mendoza, were considered locks to go near the top of the draft. With Moore out of the picture, Mendoza is undoubtedly the No. 1 option heading into the proceedings. It seems likely the Raiders will take him first overall.
The Jets (second), Cardinals (third) and Browns (sixth) are other clubs that could conceivably choose a QB in the top 10, but the likelihood of that has decreased with Moore remaining at Oregon. Moore’s NIL valuation checks in at approximately $2.3MM, per On3. That surely made it easier for Moore to delay his NFL career, though he may be leaving a substantial amount of money on the table for the time being. Regardless, the 20-year-old could benefit from further seasoning at the college level.
Before jumping to the pros in 2027, Moore will aim to build on a breakout campaign in which he completed 71.8% of passes and threw for 3,565 yards, 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Moore guided Oregon to a 13-2 record, but Mendoza’s Hoosiers ended the Ducks’ season with a 56-22 blowout in the College Football Playoff semifinal.
Moore, whom ESPN’s Mel Kiper ranked as the second-best prospect in this year’s class, may end up as part of a deeper group of draft-eligible QBs next year. Texas’ Arch Manning and South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers represent other potential high picks in 2027. Meanwhile, it’s unknown if any QBs other than Mendoza will come off the board in the first round this year. Alabama’s Ty Simpson and Mississippi’s Trinidad Chambliss, who now round out Kiper’s top three prospects at the position, are among names to watch. Unfortunately for teams in dire need of a franchise QB, neither looks like a slam-dunk first-rounder right now.
I always respect this decision. Its really hard to pass up the cash.
And when you are looking at teams like the Raiders and Jets, another year of seasoning isn’t the worst idea.
Still always risk of a bad year or worse – injuries that can knock down your status. He might not be as attractive next year.
Bet on yourself.
Like the Jets won’t likely be in position to get him next year…
That too!
Bech did it in Georgia left the bulldogs didnt enter the draft and left to Miami and is now balling even better .. BET ON YOURSELF
Beck was NEVER a top five pick consideration. If he could he should stay in college longer than Pauline Shore.
Sure you push back your 5th year but he’ll make more in Oregon next year than he would in the NFL.
Its not finalized yet but the 2nd pick is projected to make $9.5M in salary in year one. That’s not counting whatever signing bonus would come with that. He won’t make more at Oregon but he’ll get more experience, one year starters tend to not pan out. I respect the decision to come back.
Yeah, I was mistaken on what I thought his NIL deal would be.
You just delay your second contract extension and with his age they’re dumping him
Without being forced to go to the Jets. That’s a big win!
He would have made more money being drafted. And next year is predicted to be a much better QB group for the draft. He goes from a lock as the2nd QB taken this year to probably not next draft.
I figured he’d enter draft this year. Simpson at Alabama definitely needs to return to college for another year though
Probably the right long-term call for Moore. He gets another year of experience while making a very nice chunk of change in NIL money. As for the Jets, this stings, but it was likely already for the best if they built the roster up, brought in a new veteran quarterback and a mid-round one, then revisited the quarterback draft idea next year with three first round picks in a better quarterback draft and a better support system. (And if next year is as rough as this past one, a new coach too.)
You’re forgetting, this is the team that rationalized passing on Mahomes by pointing out that they had Hackenberg
Not sure why a decision made 2 regimes ago has any importance on what decisions the current regime would make going forward but ok
Jets dodged a bullett here…not a fan but agree with your Jets view for this year and next….better players available than this kid who really hasn’t proven anything and is way too young to handle the NY scene….
Dante heard the Jets were planning on taking him and smartly passed
Haha. Would not be surprised if that is the reason.
now I am officially interested in this prospect. He decided to invest in his development over a quick one-time only pay day. 20 year old with only 18 career college starts. Needs another season of starts. Very mature call by Moore.
In fairness, he’s returning to the college program that gets Phil Knight money, so he’s getting a pretty big payday by staying too.
Yep and since they just lost again, Knight will probably be shelling out more money to try and get an ultimate win.
Dante Moore has secured several notable NIL deals, including partnerships with Nike, eBay, Beats by Dre, and Factor Meals, contributing to his NIL valuation of approximately $2.3 million.
There’s no way the number is that low next season.
That’s a smart move, I wouldn’t want to be a first round quarterback prospect in danger of being picked by the Jets, Browns or Cardinals either.
How much better will those teams be next year?
That’s the whole thing. There’s a strong likelihood he’ll be one of the top two QB prospects next year, so essentially he’ll probably be going to one of the worst teams in the NFL anyways.
They just have to hope the really bad teams get a salvageable QB this year and believe they don’t need one next year (and trade down with a better. team).
He gets another year to develop at Oregon, still gets paid top dollar, and avoids the Jets. Win-win-win.
he took Stephen a. smiths advice and stayed in college. Man when players decide to stay in school instead of wanting to be drafted #2 overall by you’re franchise, especially when you’re franchise is based in NY.
Loljets
Need to start more than one year. Right call.
What if I told you this year wasn’t his first time starting?
I don’t think a bad freshman season at UCLA improves that narrative. (And I like Moore)
Definitely not lol
Bad news for Jets fans like ChuckyNJ who felt ‘entitled’ to Moore due to the ‘culture of entitlement’ that the Jets have.
(just having some fun here)
Make more easy college money against trash opponents and avoid the jets nonsense. I call it a win win lmao
Wise decision young man …
As a Jet fan, I think this is a blessing in disguise for them and a smart move by him. The Jets would have taken him, I don’t think there’s any question. They can now address their defense with their two first round picks which was historically bad last year in December. They can then take a flier on a QB in the later rounds and see what they got with him this year at some point. If in all likelihood it’s another bad year, I know it stings, but they will be in an excellent position to get the guy in the 2027 draft. Hang in there fellow Jet brethren…
As for Moore, I think if it were a different team picking 2, he might have come out, sure but I do not think he is ready by any means. He’s 20 years old and he has 25 career college starts. Picking a guy like that at #2 with that little experience would be bad news, not just for the Jets, but for any team picking that high and then going into next year with that kid as your starting QB.
And Who knows…it’s very possible this time next year, we’re talking about the Jets picking I the top 5 again with a real shot to get a more seasoned version of Moore with several more pieces around him to aid his continued development.
It’s the Jets. You know they’re going to take a QB in Round one with all those picks and ruin yet another young man’s career.
wow yippie jets can once again address defense such a blessing in disguise! another jets draft another dline selection i cant wait
i guess we will never learn that a defense first team doesnt win in the modern NFL and keep chasing the 1980s new york sack exchange roster as if the rules are the sams
I didn’t know Mendoza wasn’t yet a senior. Raiders will draft and ruin his life, he should stay in school specially if Miami beats Indiana for the championship and then Raiders will draft the Miami QB #1. LOL
I think all the non-graduating NCAA QB’s should avoid the NFL draft as long as possible unless the team they want to be on has a Top 3 pick. LOL
Nice take 🙄
Dylan Raiola just transferred there. What is going on on at Oregon? Last time I checked you can only play 1 QB and Moore is QB1 there. Don’t see as world where Raiola plays this year so why transfer??
Just so he can transfer again next year and be the center of attention again. That’s what all these kids are about these days, transferring and getting more money and attention after proving nothing on the field
That’s the world of college football now. Recruit a 4 or 5 star kid and watch him enter the portal in a year or 2 because they don’t start right away, recruiting and developing dosn’t exist anymore
Now we need to see how much the Jets will offer for Mendoza. The #2, the #16, and next year’s 1st pick?
Theres probably 0 chance Raiders can be shook off the #1 pick
It’s super simple.. he decided to stay in school another year after realizing the Jets would probably take him second overall. Smart man
Kind of one side of a two sided comment and looking at it differently.. very dumb move by Moore….first the opportunity to go #2 would slot him in salary wise on a 5 year deal that would dwarf NIL money he’ll make this year…secondly, the endorsement money available in the NY area would be tremendous… third, he’d be a starter much earlier than if a playoff bound team, that might be more attractive as far as record, would draft him…..so there’s definitely another side to this coin and your opinion….lastly, while Oregon is typically highly ranked in College ball, he’s going to be a part of a QB class that is much more formidable and talented so by betting on himself, he may have shot himself in the foot….
NIL money helps to make this decision. Without it, probably goes into the NFL, whether he was ready to or not.
I also think the Jets should totally trade out.
Look for 2027 draft.
They can probably still be bad without actually tanking, but they would be able to pick again in a better QB class and have just so many picks..
Regardless of where they end up in the draft, they’ll have the draft capitol to trade up in the draft is there is a guy they feel is “their guy”….
There has to be a willing trade partner on the other end of the telephone.
Im not sure who’d actually be all that interested in the #2 pick. Usually teams that move up into 2 go for a QB, not a team the other way around. Now ofc on Madden you can just click find trade and one would appear