According to scouts, Ty Simpson is the second-best quarterback prospect in this class, trailing only Fernando Mendoza. Simpson is confident in his talent but acknowledges that he does not control his ultimate draft fate.

On Wednesday, Simpson stated that he has done all he can to persuade teams to draft him on Day 1. While he is certain of his abilities, several factors—including his limited 15-game starting experience—could cause him to slide into the second round.

“It’s out of my control,” Simpson said about being drafted on Day 1, via NFL Media. “I’ve done what I can do. I put my best foot forward, and whatever happens, happens. I’m at peace with it. I’m understanding that anything could happen. Just really excited to get started.”

Could the Rams draft Ty Simpson?

This week, reports emerged that Jimmy Garoppolo is considering retirement. Amid this uncertainty, the Rams have emerged as a strong contender to land a top-tier quarterback prospect.

With Matthew Stafford potentially retiring after the 2026 season—following his 2025 NFL MVP campaign—the Rams desperately need a smooth transition plan. This raises the question: Is it worth using their No. 13 overall pick on a new signal-caller?

The Rams may wait to see how the first 12 picks develop before deciding on Simpson. If he is available at No. 13 and other targets are off the board, it could be a strategic move to draft him and allow him to develop behind Stafford for a year.

Teams in need of a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft

Entering draft week, several clubs are in the market for a quarterback, though not all are expected to select one on Day 1. Los Angeles could now be in need of a signal-caller due to Garoppolo’s retirement.

As of today, the Raiders (who are locked in on Fernando Mendoza), Jets, Cardinals, Saints, Dolphins, and Rams are the teams most likely to use a high-round pick on a signal-caller.

According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the Cardinals still have the third pick and Ty Simpson might be the answer at quarterback. However, Florio also states that the Cardinals “could, in theory, trade down and take Simpson in a lower spot. And there could be a team that sufficiently covets running back Jeremiyah Love to try to leapfrog the Titans at No. 4.”

With Jacoby Brissett no-showing the Cardinals workout due to his contract dispute, the Cardinals might go ahead and use their draft power to bring a young, big-time prospect like Simpson.

Ty Simpson’s draft spot is a mystery

While he is unarguably the second-best quarterback in this draft, his actual drafting spot is not clear at all. While many regard him as a first-round pick, it will all depend on how teams address their needs, or whether they want the best player available.

That’s why Florio doesn’t rule out the possibility of the team trading down. However, what’s clear is that the Cardinals might have a new priority given the Brissett situation. The other QB that could start for them is Gardner Minshew, who is recovering from a knee injury.

Is Ty Simpson NFL ready?

Viewed as a boom-or-bust player, Ty Simpson is for some analysts like Chase Daniel the most pro-ready QB in the draft. However, it’s not like Simpson has the ceiling of Fernando Mendoza, for instance.

Still, many praise his IQ, his ability to dissect defense’s weaknesses in the film room all the way to the field, and his accuracy. It also helps that Simpson played in an NFL-esque system like Alabama.

Last year, the Browns drafted both Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. The latter seems to be the frontrunner for the QB1 job, but he faces a fierce battle against veteran Deshaun Watson for the starting role.

Nevertheless, an intriguing third option has emerged: drafting another quarterback. Andrew Berry, the team’s general manager, was questioned about Ty Simpson and the chances of the Browns drafting him; he notably did not close the door on the Alabama standout’s arrival.

“I’d say I don’t love dealing in hypotheticals,” Berry said. “So, I guess I’d say this, if we add a quarterback, we have a lot of love for the quarterbacks that are in the room, that’s probably the first thing. So that decision would be made independently of anything that we add to the room.”

The Browns are desperate for a franchise quarterback

The biggest struggle in Browns’ history has been finding a true franchise quarterback. It appears that mission is still active, despite the current depth at the position.

When Cleveland acquired Deshaun Watson from the Texans via trade, he was expected to be the elite signal-caller the club had been waiting for. However, off-field issues and recurring injuries have prevented him from living up to those high expectations.

Now, they have two young quarterbacks in Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. While Sanders appears to be the leader in the race, the truth is that he had an underwhelming rookie season, despite his controversial Pro Bowl selection.

The Browns are not entirely committed to their No. 6 overall pick

For many scouts, this draft class is considered one of the weaker groups in recent years. For that reason, many believe the Browns could be open to trading down if the right offer arrives.

There is no doubt that Cleveland has significant work to do on the roster. However, given the perceived lack of “can’t-miss” prospects in this class, the AFC North club might focus on acquiring draft capital for 2027 and seeking the best players available via free agency or trade.

On Tuesday, reports emerged that the Jets have moved on from Simpson. This shift has created a ripple effect, positioning the quarterback to find another top suitor for his services.

Just a day later, the Cardinals hosted Simpson for a pre-draft visit, per ESPN’s Field Yates. Following Kyler Murray’s departure to the Vikings, the NFC West club is searching for his successor.

The Cardinals’ need for a quarterback outweighs the Jets’—for now

In the 2026 NFL Draft, the top three selecting teams in the first round all face questions at quarterback. With the Raiders likely targeting Fernando Mendoza at No. 1, the Jets and Cardinals are left with difficult decisions.

New York is set to roll with Geno Smith in 2026, but Arizona’s situation is less settled. While they have Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew as veteran options, neither is regarded as a long-term solution for the upcoming season.

The Cardinals could use the No. 3 overall pick on a quarterback. However, they could also evaluate the options currently on their roster to see if the 2027 draft class offers a better opportunity to select the franchise quarterback that Murray was meant to be.

Ty Simpson or Garrett Nussmeier?

With Fernando Mendoza as the potential No. 1 overall pick, other QB-needy teams face a tough choice. As of today, there appear to be only two other solid options for an early-round selection.

For many scouts, Ty Simpson is the second-best quarterback in the 2026 class. Nevertheless, Garrett Nussmeier has also been highly graded; however, an abdominal injury suffered in 2025 has left teams with concerns regarding the former LSU standout’s durability.

According to NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah, the Jets will select their quarterback of the future in the 2027 NFL Draft. Such a report puts New York out of the race for Simpson, who could be drafted in the first round of the upcoming draft.

There’s a chance Simpson falls to the second round, giving the Jets another opportunity to draft him, but it feels unlikely on both counts. First, that Simpson—whose stock has only been on the rise since the NFL Combine—makes it out of the first round. Second, that the Jets would take him with their 33rd or 44th overall pick in the second round.

Anything can happen, but with Smith on a one-year contract and a stacked quarterback class coming up in 2027, the Jets could kick the can down the road. Fans in New York have waited this long to see a franchise quarterback, they can surely wait one more season.

Jets’ draft picks in 2026

The New York Jets own nine selections in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. Barring a trade, the Jets will pick twice on Day 1. Gang Green holds the No. 2 and No. 16 overall selections. Moreover, the Jets’ draft capital includes two Day 2 picks (No. 33 and 44) and five Day 3 selections: 103rd, 140th, 179th, 228th, and 242nd.

QBs in 2027 class

It’s still early to tell, and much can change throughout the 2026 college football season, but the 2027 quarterback class could feature some franchise-saving candidates for the Jets and several other NFL organizations. Every struggling team in the league is already setting high expectations for future draft prospects, and there are several names that have fans excited.

Talents such as Arch Manning, Julian Sayin, Dante Moore, Trinidad Chambliss, LaNorris Sellers, Sam Leavitt, and others are among the standout names expected to declare for the 2027 NFL Draft. Thus, the Jets may be fine with waiting one more season while rolling with Geno Smith as QB1 in 2026.

“I definitely believe he is, he’s just been around it long enough, and he’s made so many great plays, big plays,” DeBoer said. “He can deliver the ball wherever he needs to, you know, down the field.

“Has great football IQ, you know, he’s a coach’s kid. He’s been around the game forever, just, you know, once he won the job, he really cut loose the leadership qualities that he has, and it’s real, it’s genuine.”

Simpson’s final step in Tuscaloosa

In his breakout 2025 campaign as Alabama‘s full-time starter, Ty Simpson established himself as an elite signal-caller, leading the Crimson Tide to an 11-4 record and a College Football Playoff appearance. Simpson displayed exceptional ball security and precision, completing 64.5% of his passes for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns, and only 5 interceptions.

Though his season ended with a tough loss to Indiana in the Rose Bowl, his Second-Team All-SEC performance and high-level processing in an NFL-style offense have made him a focal point of the 2026 NFL Draft.

“He took our guys at times, and just really got them to rally around him,” DeBoer said. “He’s got their back. They had his. And so many things that are on the field and off the field that just equate to a guy that, you know, you want in your program leading your team.”

Can Ty Simpson be a first-round pick?

Ty Simpson is projected as one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft, typically viewed as a first-round talent or a high second-round pick. Scouts are enamored with his “coach’s son” football IQ, elite arm talent, and ability to process full-field reads, which has led some mock drafts to place him as high as No. 3 overall.

Two things can be true. The Jets’ willingness to trade down could signal a final decision on drafting Simpson, but it could also be that New York is playing chess, and not checkers ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. After Glenn’s latest comments on Simpson, it sure looks like the soon-to-be rookie quarterback has made quite a first impression on the Gang Green.

“[Simpson] is obviously a coach’s kid. He’s extremely smart. He works his a– off. Even in the private workout that we had, he was very detailed. We’ll see how this process goes, but he did a good job,” Glenn admitted during the NFL‘s head coaches meeting before the 2026 NFL season, via @snyjets on X.

Jets are keeping tabs on Simpson

Needless to say, the Jets need help in almost every area of the football field. Their 3–14 record in 2025 paints a clear picture of where they stand, and, as much as Glenn and company would love to convince themselves otherwise, things rarely change overnight in the NFL for organizations as troubled as New York’s.

Though rare, if one thing can truly put a franchise back on its feet, it’s finding a franchise quarterback in the Draft. Simpson could very well be that for the Jets. New York is not fully sold on that promise, though—or at least, it isn’t saying it out loud for the rest of the league to take notice, which would be smart on the Jets’ part.

“My feeling is, you always want to build your roster with good players. Whatever position that is. Obviously, the quarterback is the top position in your team. If we feel like he’s the best player on the board, that’s who we draft. We’re not trying to reach and grab for guys,” Glenn answered a question on whether the Jets will draft a QB, namely Simpson, in 2026 or wait for the quarterback-stacked class of 2027, per SNY.

Draft Simpson or roll with Geno Smith?

Geno Smith is set to be the starting quarterback for the Jets in 2026. Glenn has even gone as far as to say he can be the signal-caller who takes New York to “the promised land.” Fans in East Rutherford have a hard time buying into that statement, especially after watching Smith spiral out of control with the Las Vegas Raiders last season. Still, they can understand where Glenn’s message is coming from, and why he has no other choice but to say it.

Regardless, the expectation around “The City” is that the Jets will be a bottom-feeder in the NFL next season and end up with a top pick that could put them in prime position to select their next great quarterback. As things stand, the majority of the fan base in the Big Apple is looking ahead to next year’s draft, when the likes of Arch Manning, Dante Moore, Julian Sayin, and other high-end quarterback prospects will enter the league.

Glenn has to make an impact fast in New York

As much as Glenn may be excited about that class, he can’t make any such public admission. Glenn must first worry about keeping his head coaching job for another year in an organization that never hesitates to send its head coaches packing. Glenn may never have another shot in the NFL as a head coach, so he must make the most of it. That means taking risks and hoping for the best.

Put into practice, it could very well mean drafting Simpson in the upcoming draft. Glenn and the Jets could take a safer route, but at the end of the day, it’s quarterbacks who change the narrative. If New York drafts a top pass rusher, cornerback, or another position, it will be forgotten quickly. If the Jets find their franchise quarterback, though, those are the kind of draft-day decisions that make NFL history.

As reported by Connor Hughes from SNY, Jets GM Darren Mougey admitted the team is open to trading down in the 2026 NFL Draft. New York won’t actively shop its second overall selection—or the rest of its draft stock, for that matter—but if another team calls, it will answer the ring.

With Simpson trending upwards in mock drafts, the Jets’ decision raises eyebrows. Aaron Glenn knows he has his starting quarterback in Geno Smith, but the fanbase in East Rutherford and the Big Apple isn’t as convinced. Still, if the Jets trade the second overall pick, it would all but confirm they have done their due diligence on Simpson, and reached a conclusion.

What it’d mean for Simpson and Jets

Trading down essentially means the Jets will be leaving Simpson up for grabs and that they are fine with either outcome. If Simpson somehow falls into their hands, New York may take him. There’s an upside to moving down, obviously.

The Jets will be getting a big haul in return. Perhaps, that’s enough for them to give up on the Simpson dream—or any other player they may target with their top picks.

Is Simpson a top 5 draft pick?

Still, Simpson has some work to do to be considered worthy of the second overall pick in the upcoming draft class. Perhaps time will prove such a decision right, but as things stand, it seems that if any team trades up for the Jets’ second overall selection, it will be for another player.

Who knows, though? Crazier things have happened in the NFL, and the Jets could now open the gates for the unexpected to occur when teams gather in Pittsburgh for the 2026 Draft.

Speaking to Kennington Smith III of the Associated Press, Simpson was clear on his strength. “When I go into a program, I’m program-changing. I don’t just make myself better, I make other people better. If you draft me, and you want me to be your franchise quarterback, I’m not just coming in to look after myself.”

With the Jets seemingly buying Ty Simpson’s stock, those kinds of declarations are music to their ears. “Alabama prepares you for the NFL. I’ve run an NFL-type system, it prepared me for saying those play calls, saying those checks, making sure I get us in the right protection,” Simpson also said.

How does Alabama QBs are doing in the NFL?

Right now, there are four prominent Alabama quarterbacks in the NFL. Those are Jalen Hurts for the Philadelphia Eagles, Tua Tagovailoa for the Atlanta Falcons, Mac Jones for the San Francisco 49ers, and Bryce Young for the Carolina Panthers.

Jalen Hurts has gone to two Super Bowls, winning one of them and he has solidified as an upper echelon QB. Tua will try to regain his hype on the Falcons, after losing all his stock in Miami. Mac Jones is now regarded as one of the best backups in the NFL, and might have new opportunities. Lastly, Young had his best year in 2025 and it’s looking at a possible extension.

The Jets are looking at QBs thoroughly

The other side of the coin is the focus that the Jets are putting on QBs. They are working out and interviewing pretty much every prospect there is. Hence, the message is clear: Geno Smith is seen as a mere bridge quarterback, nothing else.

In addition to the private workout set up with Simpson, ESPN’s Rich Cimini reports that the Jets’ higher-ups will be having dinner with the soon-to-be NFL rookie. According to the source, general manager Darren Mougey, head coach Aaron Glenn, offensive coordinator Frank Reich, and quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave will all be attending.

Going into any draft, NFL teams usually play their cards close to the chest. However, the Jets are seemingly throwing that script out the window now. New York has worked out other QB prospects like Carson Beck and Drew Allar, though. That could signal the Jets are keeping every option on the table, but neither Allar nor Beck is projected to be an early-round pick, which Simpson is.

When is Simpson projected to be drafted?

The Jets could still veer in a different direction, but all signs now indicate how serious they are about Simpson. They should be, as the former Crimson Tide is now gaining traction to be the second overall pick in 2026.

Some analysts have even gone as far as to say he is a better quarterback than national champion and Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza. That noise has no effect on the Las Vegas Raiders, who look destined to land the product out of Indiana (California transfer), but it might be enough to convince the Jets of selecting Simpson.

Can the Jets draft Simpson?

The ball is in New York’s court now. The Jets own two picks in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft (2nd and 16th overall). On paper, they have two chances to land Simpson. In reality, though, if they pass on him with their first selection, they will be essentially kissing that possibility goodbye.

The private workout and ensuing dinner should provide New York with much-needed intel on how Simpson goes about his on and off-the field life. If they aren’t fully sold on Simpson, the Jets may go a different direction. After all, Smith is expected to be QB1 in 2026, and it could help the Jets set up shop before the 2027 NFL Draft, which features a quarterback class many teams would give up an arm and a leg for.

Patience is running low in Gotham. Jets fans have waited decades to see a franchise quarterback under center, but they can always wait a little longer. What’s another losing season to a franchise that hasn’t finished above .500 since 2015?

Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson is flirting with the possibility of going to the Browns, according to cleveland.com. “My dad and coach Monken go way back. They talk often. He texted him when he got the job and they’ve texted a little bit [since], so if I had the opportunity to play for the Browns, it would be a dream come true.” This, obviously would impact Shedeur Sanders’ situation directly.

Simpson is not the first QB prospect to lobby for Monken and the Browns to draft him. The Bama product is one of the best prospects at the quarterback position in this upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.

How good of a prospect is Simpson?

Many see Simpson as the second-best quarterback in this class behind Fernando Mendoza. He has high mobility and escapability, which makes him a decent dual-threat prospect. Also, he comes from one of the most respected programs in the College Football scene, Alabama.

Simpson has solid mechanics, and when given a clean pocket, he processes the field in a very good way. However, when under pressure, his output declines heavily. His size is also a detriment to him.

Simpson’s projected draft position is in the middle of the pack

If you are a quarterback and aren’t projected to be a top 15-20 pick, the fact is you’re not seen as a top-tier prospect. Of course, it’s not an exact science, but it’s how NFL scouting works. Simpson is not seen as a top-tier quarterback.

Most mock drafts and projections have him as a day-2 guy, meaning a second-round pick. The best-case scenario would be a late first-round pick, though it does seem a bit unlikely. If the Browns want Simpson to compete with Shedeur Sanders, they can perfectly find him in the second round.