The 2026 NFL Draft is just around the corner, and while college programs hold their annual pro days, some prospects are rising quickly.
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza has long been expected to be the first pick by the Las Vegas Raiders when the draft begins next month. However, Alabama’s Ty Simpson is making a late surge up draft boards and creating some serious buzz around the first-round.
Several teams in the NFL could use another young passer, but some teams might be willing to hold out and wait for the 2027 draft class, which is expected to be loaded at the position, or sign a free agent veteran like Kirk Cousins or Aaron Rodgers. There is still a lot to be decided before the draft begins, but Simpson is certainly getting some praise from draft analysts and in the media, which has teams thinking he could be selected earlier than expected.
NFL Network’s Charles Davis revealed his latest mock draft and set a new high draft position for Simpson. While he didn’t predict the Crimson Tide quarterback to usurp Mendoza’s placement atop the draft, he does believe Simpson could follow closely behind. Davis predicted Simpson will be selected No. 3 overall by the Arizona Cardinals, who recently released Kyler Murray this offseason.
Davis clarified that the Cardinals might not take Simpson with the No. 3 pick, but he does believe he will wind up in the desert one way or another, even if that means the Cardinals need to trade back in the round or trade for a second pick in the first round.
“Last year, I opined in one of my early mocks that Jaxson Dart would go to the Giants with the third overall pick, but I didn’t stick with the pairing as the process unfolded,” Davis wrote. “Dart, of course, ultimately ended up with New York after Big Blue traded back into the first round and selected the quarterback at No. 25. This year, I think Simpson ends up with the Cardinals, even if this is not the spot where they pick him.”
The 6-foot-1 passer only has one season of experience as a starter, but he still has the knowledge and ability to play well after sitting on the bench for three years at Alabama. Simpson’s pro day calmed concerns about his velocity and accuracy, and ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky has made waves by saying many general managers in the league have told him that they favor Simpson over Mendoza.
Simpson helped Alabama reach the Rose Bowl last season, where the Crimson Tide lost to Mendoza’s Hoosiers. Simpson threw for 3,567 yards last season with 30 total touchdowns and five interceptions.
The Alabama quarterback is among the most polarizing prospects in this year’s draft with the ability to go at the top of the draft, like Davis has predicted, or even into the second round. Simpson had a private workout with the Jets on Friday as well, so there are other interested teams with multiple picks in the first round.
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