NFL mock draft 2026: Dante Moore’s Oregon return impacts first round

Dante Moore has just shocked the NFL world.

Days after Oregon lost to Indiana in the Peach Bowl, Moore announced his decision regarding the 2026 NFL Draft. Despite largely being viewed as, at worst, the No. 2 QB in the class (which he was in our previous mock draft), and likely with a floor of the second-overall pick, Moore announced on Wednesday that he is returning to Oregon for another year.

The move comes shortly after Dylan Raiola announced that he was transferring to Oregon after two seasons at Nebraska. That announcement fueled speculation that Moore would indeed leave Oregon for the NFL, but instead Raiola will have to wait, as the Ducks get their starting quarterback back.

But what does that mean for the upcoming NFL Draft?

Here is just one look at how things could play out:

Jets pivot to defense

With Moore not an option for the Jets at No. 2, New York has to go in a different direction. Instead of adding the quarterback, they add a chess piece in Arvell Reese for the defensive side of the ball. Reese is an off-ball linebacker with upside as a pass rusher off the edge or as a blitzer, and for a defense that did not generate a single interception last season, he can help turn that around.

Ty Simpson gets back into the first round

After falling out of a previous mock draft, Ty Simpson works his way back into the first round here, with the Los Angeles Rams.

Matthew Stafford might have a few more years left in that right arm of his, but Sean McVay might want to get ahead of the eventual successor plan. Adding Simpson now and giving him a year under Stafford — call it the Patrick Mahomes plan — does make some sense for the Rams.

Browns help out Shedeur Sanders

Cleveland was looking at being outside of the rookie quarterback game thanks to falling to No. 6.

Instead they bring in help along the offensive line, and at wide receiver. Spencer Fano has seen time at both left tackle and right tackle, and gives their new head coach more options at getting Cleveland’s best five in front of their quarterback. In Denzel Boston, the Browns add a big, explosive playmaker who can win downfield and at the catch point. Dig up his first touchdown reception against Rutgers for a look at how he wins both off the line, and at the catch point.

Whither Trinidad Chambliss?

The only other QB that we considered sneaking into the first round now is Trinidad Chambliss. The only reason we kept him out is that it seems Ole Miss is going to appeal the denial of his medical redshirt.

But with Moore deciding to go back to school, there is a world where Chambliss is QB2 …