Why Oregon's Dante Moore is Perfect QB Prospect for Saints in 2026 NFL Draft
Although the New Orleans Saints already have a pair of interesting young quarterbacks in the locker room who couldbecome long-term answers, neither Spencer Rattler nor Tyler Shough has truly proven he’s a bona fide franchise cornerstone. As such, when the Saints use their first-round pick — currently projected to land inside the top five of the 2026 NFL Draft — quarterback should absolutely be on the table.
And while this upcoming draft class features several high-end prospects, the player who fits New Orleans’ system the best, and is arguably the perfect match for what the franchise is trying to build, is Oregon’s Dante Moore.
The 6-foot-3 quarterback began his college career at UCLA before transferring to Oregon, where he has now spent two seasons. This year has finally been his chance to take full control of the offense, blossom within a more stable structure and establish himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the country. The size is already ideal, and with a little more strength added to his frame, he projects as an NFL-durable passer. But what really makes Moore special is his accuracy, his poise, and the way he performs under pressure.
NFL teams often get enamored with prospects who can wow you with a huge arm, elite speed, or off-script highlight plays. But once a quarterback reaches the NFL, it becomes all about decision-making against the best athletes in the world, and that’s the one trait you can’t teach. Moore already has that natural calm, that big-game presence, and that ability to make the right throw in the biggest moments.
Drafting a franchise quarterback is about more than filling a hole. It’s about selecting a player, bringing him into your building and then building the roster around what he does best. Moore already checks the foundational boxes: size, accuracy, pocket presence, touch, mobility when necessary, natural feel and the production to back it up. Add in the fact that he was one of the most coveted recruits in the country coming out of high school, and it becomes even clearer why his pedigree matters — he’s been viewed as “that guy” for years.
He’s also stylistically different from the two quarterbacks New Orleans currently has. And if, by the end of this season, there isn’t overwhelming conviction that either Rattler or Shough is the clear franchise leader moving forward, Moore becomes the best, and cleanest, path to a reset at the most important position in the sport.
For a team looking for long-term stability and a player who fits exactly what the Saints want to be offensively, Dante Moore is the right pick at the right time.
Jets Will Be in the Mix for $230 Million Pro Bowl QB: EXCLUSIVE
The New York Jets will once again be in the quarterback market this offseason.
NFL information broker Benjamin Allbright told me on “Boy Green Daily” to “keep your eye” on Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray. Allbright called that a “legitimate option” and confirmed that the Jets would be one of the teams in the mix if he became available.
Murray, 28, has three years remaining on his $230 million contract. He is scheduled to be a free agent in 2029.
Murray Is Expected to Become Available
“Yeah, keep an eye on Kyler Murray. That is someone who is going to become available after the year,” Allbright told me on “Boy Green Daily.” “It won’t cost you a first-round pick. Well, maybe a first, depending on if he gets bid up with other teams, but you’re probably looking at a two and a three [or] two twos, something like that [in a trade] for Kyler Murray.”
There is a chance it doesn’t cost any draft capital.
“The Cardinals must decide by this offseason whether to try to trade Murray, release him, or pay another $19.5 million in guaranteed money that becomes due on the fifth day of the new league year in mid-March,” ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter explained.
“With one source saying this week that ‘a separation is imminent,'” Schefter added.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport explained that a trade could be difficult to pull off.
“That said, a trade would take coordination between three parties (Arizona, Murray, and an interested team), an agreement that the Cardinals would take on some or all the money, and then a mutually agreed-upon trade partner. It’s possible. But it has proven in the past to be a challenge with so many moving parts,” Rapoport said.
“From Murray’s side, being released ahead of the 2026 league year — if he’s not going to be a member of the Cardinals — is preferable because his deal will be offset, similar to Russell Wilson’s recent situation with the Steelers. He’ll be able to sign with a team at the minimum, making Murray an incredible value for a playoff-ready team without a QB,” Rapoport added.
Why Isn’t It Working in Arizona?
Let’s start with the 2025 season. Right now, he is hurt.
“Sources say Murray is dealing with a mid-foot sprain in the area of a Lisfranc injury — while not actually being a Lisfranc injury. It’s ligament partial tear — otherwise known as a sprain — but there are no broken bones and there is no dislocation. There is still edema (swelling caused by too much fluid trapped in the body’s tissues, according to the Mayo Clinic),” NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport explained.
“Kyler Murray has been productive before. He just doesn’t fit with what they’re doing in Arizona right now,” Allbright told me. “That’s not to say he is a bad quarterback or whatever. He is a decent quarterback who, in the right setup/system, something that caters to what he does, can be successful.”
Murray was the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2019 and has been named to the Pro Bowl twice. He won a Heisman trophy in college. At the NFL level, Murray has appeared and started in 87 games. In his career, Murray has completed 67.1% of his passes, has thrown for 20,460 passing yards, and owns a 121 touchdown to 60 interception ratio.
Murray also provides a special set of skills with his legs. He has toted the rock 532 times for 3,193 passing yards and has scored 32 touchdowns on the ground.
Murray Hasn’t Been a Popular Choice Among Jets Fans on Social Media
“I had a lot of Jets fans in my mentions that didn’t particularly care for that,” Allbright revealed.
It’s worth mentioning that Murray would be a massive upgrade in 2025 compared to what they have had. Also, he compares favorably to the greatest Jets quarterbacks in franchise history from a statistical perspective.
Murray would rank third all-time in passing yards, third all-time in passing touchdowns, first in completion percentage, and he would rank first all-time in career rushing yards for a QB.
The Plan Behind the Plan for the Jets at QB
Allbright explained that Murray could be the solution at QB for the Jets — for now.
“Then take your time to absolutely be certain and find the rookie you want. Instead of just burning draft picks every year on a guy, I think you’d be in a much better position,” Allbright said on “Boy Green Daily.” “The preferred strategy these days is to try and get a reclamation quarterback that has had success, and you plug that in while you’re waiting to cash all in on the guy you think is the guy.”
“I’d love to have the ammo in a couple of years, but I gotta do something between now and then. I don’t think that the Kyler Murray thing would b
