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 undoubtedly made it easier for Moore to delay his NFL career. It’s also worth noting that 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
Sure you push back your 5th year but he’ll make more in Oregon next year than he would in the NFL.
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
Dante heard the Jets were planning on taking him and smartly passed
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.
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.
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