Ty Simpson’s draft stock remains uncertain, with teams divided on whether he is worthy of a first-round selection. However, there is a general consensus that he is the No. 2 quarterback in the class behind projected No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. In Athlon Sports’ latest mock draft, Simpson ultimately finds his new home on Day 1.
Simpson spent four years with the Alabama Crimson Tide, but was a starter for just one full season in 2025. He delivered solid production, completing 305-of-473 passes for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns, and five interceptions, while posting a 145.2 passer rating across 15 games. He also added 93 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
Following his performance at the NFL Scouting Combine, Simpson has continued to meet with interested teams. The Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Arizona Cardinals are among the quarterback-needy franchises monitoring him closely.
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According to Luke Easterling of Athlon, the Cardinals could ultimately land Simpson, though not with the No. 3 overall pick. Instead, Arizona is projected to trade back into the first round, sending picks No. 34 and No. 143 to the New England Patriots in exchange for the No. 31 overall selection to secure Simpson.
"If Simpson makes it this far down the board, I wouldn’t be shocked to see a QB-needy team picking at the top of the second round make a short jump to land him here," Easterling wrote. "The Cards would have to get ahead of the Jets to ensure he doesn’t go off the board right in front of them, and they’re not likely to find a willing trade partner in the division-rival Seahawks. Instead, the Pats could be just fine with helping an NFC team leap over one of their own rivals to land a potential franchise quarterback of the future.
"Simpson has some clear drawbacks (lack of starting experience/high-end physical tools, inconsistent late-season tape in 2025), but he showed flashes of potential that could be developed into a successful starter with the right surroundings."
Arizona has undergone significant changes this offseason, hiring Mike LaFleur as head coach and moving on from former starter Kyler Murray. The team now has Jacoby Brissett and recently signed Gardner Minshew on the roster, with Brissett proving last season that he can be a capable starter.
In Murray’s absence, Brissett threw for 3,366 yards and 28 touchdowns in 14 games, giving Arizona a viable short-term option. That flexibility could allow the Cardinals to develop Simpson without rushing him into action.
Despite the concerns, many evaluators remain high on Simpson’s long-term potential, with ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky even calling him "the best quarterback in this class." While his limited experience may cause hesitation, Simpson’s upside as a developmental prospect makes him an intriguing option for teams willing to invest in his growth, and the Cardinals appear to be a strong fit.
