Ty Simpson may have turned heads in Indianapolis, but one NFL Draft analyst believes his biggest opportunity could come in South Beach.
The former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback impressed scouts during throwing sessions at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, showcasing arm strength and accuracy. But ESPN's Matt Miller cautioned that Simpson has not yet locked himself into being a first-round pick. Even as he floated a bold projection, there's still dust in the air.
During an appearance on SportsCenter, Miller said Simpson could rise as high as No. 11 overall to the Miami Dolphins, a franchise currently evaluating its long-term plan at quarterback.
“We know there’s some conversation about Tua (Tagovailoa) maybe not being the pick for Jeff Hafley and the new front office in Miami,” Miller said. “There’s a long way to go, but it only takes one team to pull the trigger early.”
Tagovailoa, who signed a four-year, $212.4 million extension in 2024 could see his time with the Dolphins cut short. However, he carries a $56.267 million cap hit in 2026, and Miami would face significant dead money in a trade or release scenario.
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Simpson is viewed by some as the No. 2 quarterback in the class behind Fernando Mendoza. In his lone season as Alabama’s starter, Simpson threw for 3,567 yards with 28 touchdowns and five interceptions, leading the Crimson Tide to an 11-4 finish and a College Football Playoff berth under Kalen DeBoer.
Whether that resume is enough to replace Tua remains the draft’s most puzzling question for quarterbacks. Mendoza is expected to go No. 1 overall to the Raiders, but there could be a gap from him to Simpson.
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