Alabama draft prospect Ty Simpson wants to go to the Cleveland Browns.
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Alabama draft prospect Ty Simpson wants to go to the Cleveland Browns.
Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson wants to be a Cleveland Brown — and he wants to bring a new target with him.
Appearing on the Up and Adams Show with Kay Adams, Simpson was asked about Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate and whether the two could end up on the Browns together.
“That’s something you have to ask coach Monken and Mr. Berry,” Simpson said. “I think it would be great. They got it going on up there. Coach Monken is going to get it right, they got all the right pieces. And if I’m able to throw to Carnell it would be great. We’d always be on the same page and hopefully take the league by storm.”
It’s not just talk. Simpson visited the Browns, who hold the No. 6 and No. 24 picks in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Tate also visited the following day.
Simpson has made no secret of his affinity for Cleveland. He called the Browns a “dream destination” at the NFL Combine, citing his father’s longstanding friendship with Todd Monken.
The former Crimson Tide starter threw for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns and five interceptions in his first year as Alabama’s starter. He’s the consensus QB2 in this class behind Fernando Mendoza.
Browns Haven’t Added a QB in Free Agency
Cleveland did not sign a passer in the first wave of free agency. The quarterback room heading into the draft still has the same names it did in January: Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson and Dillon Gabriel.
“Sure, I think it’s an open competition,” Monken said of his QB room. “I mean, I don’t why it wouldn’t be an open competition. I don’t mean that saying it harshly, but I don’t think there’s enough on film over the last couple years one way or the other to say, boy, we have our starter at quarterback yet. Whether internally or externally.”
Zac Jackson of The Athletic has described Watson as a “last resort” who is only on the team because the Browns can’t afford to cut him. Watson is on the final year of his $230 million fully guaranteed contract he signed in 2022. Sanders is the No. 1 for now, but Jackson noted he’s “the least safe a No. 1 could ever be.”
The Browns are still exploring all external options and Simpson’s visit suggests the draft path is very much alive.
Browns Have Options in Draft
The Browns did some heavy lifting on the offensive line in free agency. Cleveland acquired right tackle Tytus Howard from Houston via trade, then added guard Zion Johnson and Elgton Jenkins. Longtime guard Joel Bitonio, whose contract voided, is still mulling retirement or playing for another team.
But holes still remain on the line and the Browns could use one of their two first-round picks to add another piece. Dawand Jones is the incumbent option at left tackle but has ended each of his first three seasons on injured reserve.
The Browns could also look at other available wide receivers, depending on how the top of the draft unfolds. Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson is another option for the Browns early.