We’re less than a month away from the 2026 NFL draft, and the New York Jets have plenty of decisions to make.

Gang Green has changed much from their 2025 roster. Eleven acquisitions have been made since the start of the offseason, including a trade for Geno Smith as their penciled-in starting quarterback for the time being.

Smith won’t be the only quarterback added to the roster this offseason, either.

New York has nine picks in April’s selection process. Most likely, at least one of those picks will be used on a quarterback who can bring long-term upside to the room.

While the Jets won’t be getting Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, another signal-caller is standing out in ways that have drawn the team’s interest.

Jets hone in on Penn State talent

New York’s front office, led by general manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn, held private workouts for Penn State stars like quarterback Drew Allar and offensive guard Olaivavega Ioane.

As first reported by Connor Hughes of SNY, it was Allar who had stood out.

“The Jets had a number of Penn State players at the facility for pirvate workout this weekend, with the pro day circuit set to begin, per sources,” Hughes said. “QB Drew Allar was among them. Team decision makers watched him throw on Friday. The benefit of having him with a number of others: They could see him throw to his guys.”

In four seasons at Penn State, Allar completed 63.2% of his passes for 7,402 yards, 61 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. At the height of his career, Allar helped lead the Nittany Lions to the College Football Playoff semifinals in 2024.

Allar was off to a disappointing start in 2025 before a broken ankle cut his final season short at just six games. Still, his exciting potential has led to some interest from the Jets.

New York needs to draft a quarterback in 2026 who can be developed into a long-term solution. Could Allar be that player?

Drew Allar draft profile

Allar’s profile is quite complex. At first glance, the Penn State product is the prototypical build for a quality NFL starter. At 6-foot-5 and 228 pounds, he looks like the perfect quarterback every organization wants.

Then, people watch the tape.

For all the upside his big arm can bring, Allar’s accuracy was inconsistent at Penn State. He lacks the pocket rhythm and touch on throws to be seen as a viable NFL starting quarterback at this point.

In many ways, while Allar’s perception is one of a quarterback with a high ceiling, he didn’t come anywhere close to that point at the college ranks. Some of that has to do with Penn State’s offensive staff failing to help him improve.

Coming off a serious broken ankle to end his senior year with the Nittany Lions, it should come as no surprise that Allar is considered a Day 2 or 3 pick.

But for a Jets team that isn’t planning on making a big splash at quarterback this offseason, a low-risk, high-reward dice roll like Allar could be precisely what they’re looking for in the draft.