Ty Simpson draft projections: Compare expert mock drafts for Alabama QB landing spots originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Ty Simpson is one of the most intriguing players in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Alabama quarterback was neck-and-neck with Fernando Mendoza for the first pick in the middle of the college football season, but a poor finish for Simpson separated him from the Indiana star.
There is a difference of opinion regarding Simpson this year, as some analysts believe he is worth a top-10 pick while others think he's more of a Day 2 player. However, Simpson's landing spot likely comes down to one of a few teams that are desperate to add a young quarterback.
Simpson's draft range appears to be late in the first round or early in the second round, depending on how aggressive a team wants to be in taking a quarterback. Therefore, here's a look at where draft analysts have Simpson going in this year's draft.
Kiper's most recent mock draft features the Cardinals trading back into the first round to secure Simpson. Arizona owns the 34th pick in the second round of the draft, but this mock has them moving up four spots to ensure they land the second quarterback in the draft.
Reuter's mock draft has Simpson going the highest, as the Jets pick the Alabama quarterback with their second first-round pick at No. 16. Reuter says that since the Jets have four picks in the top 50, New York can take a chance on Simpson with this selection.
Brugler has the Cardinals taking Simpson with their original pick in the second round at No. 34. In this mock, the Jets passed on Simpson three times, allowing Arizona to successfully stay put and still add the young quarterback without giving up other picks in a trade.
Iyer gives the Jets Simpson with the first pick of the second round, as New York would develop the quarterback behind Geno Smith. This would make Simpson New York's third draft pick of the event, following their first two picks in the first round.
Like Kiper, Yates thinks the Cardinals will trade back into the first round to jump the Jets and take Simpson. Yates has Arizona making a deal with the Buffalo Bills at pick No. 26, a similar to deal to when the New York Giants traded into the first to draft Jaxson Dart last year.
It's been over a month since Jeremiah's last mock draft, but he didn't have Simpson going in his first round mock from the middle of March.