The New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers are reportedly among the teams that don’t view Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson as a first-round talent heading into the 2026 NFL Draft.
However, it sounds like Simpson may not have to wait until the draft’s second round to hear his name called.
Is Ty Simpson destined to become a first-round draft pick?
“I have started hearing Ty Simpson’s name a little bit more in the first round,” NFL insider Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reported on Thursday. “The Alabama quarterback is easily QB2 in this year’s draft, but it is possible he sneaks into Round 1. We haven’t seen just one (quarterback) go in the first since Kenny Pickett was the lone guy in 2022.”
Jones shared his information after multiple analysts predicted via updated mock drafts that the Arizona Cardinals would trade back into the first round to grab Simpson at pick No. 30. Meanwhile, Dane Brugler of The Athletic thinks the Cardinals could get Simpson at overall choice No. 34. Of course, the Las Vegas Raiders will almost certainly make Fernando Mendoza the first overall selection of the draft.
“Mendoza is a better pro, but Mendoza going at 1 and Simpson at 35, is the gap that big? No,” one unnamed personnel man told Jones. “[Simpson] is very competitive. Shows up in big moments. Smart. Has enough physical talent. He can move a little bit, throw, can make some plays. But he’s not dynamic. He just has enough of everything.”
Why Ty Simpson may not fall to the second round
Numerous analysts have noted that Simpson lacks elite physical traits and experience (15 college starts) that teams want from a quarterback acquired via a first-round pick. However, Mendoza is the only prospect available in this year’s class who checks such boxes.
“In a typical year,” one evaluator of quarterbacks told Jones while speaking about Simpson, “I think you could get him in the second, but this year I think if you want him you better be willing to take him in the late first or he could be gone.”