Alabama QB Ty Simpson's draft stock surges, with new Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur eyeing him for a first-round selection.
Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson's stock for the 2026 NFL Draft has risen in the past few weeks.
Following the Crimson Tide's 38-3 loss to Indiana in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl, Simpson seemed like a Day 2 pick.
However, a few things are working in his favor before the draft.
Simpson is expected to be the second-best quarterback in this year's class behind Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. With several teams needing signal callers for the fall, he could hear his name called on Day 1.
The Arizona Cardinals are one team that needs a quarterback with new head coach Mike LaFleur calling the shots. Ben Sloak of ESPN projected the Cardinals to trade back into round one to take Simpson at No. 31.
"When will Simpson go?" Sloak wrote. I think he's a Round 2 player, similar in grade to where I had Tyler Shough and Jaxson Dart last year. Of course, Dart ended up going in Round 1 with a small trade up for the Giants so that they could secure the fifth-year option -- a critical year of extra contract control for a big-money position.
"The same could and likely will happen with Simpson, especially in a thin QB class. To move from No. 34 to No. 31, it should take only a fourth-round pick or so, and the Patriots would be wise to target a 2027 pick (which they could then flip as part of a package for Eagles receiver A.J. Brown)."
LaFleur was the offensive coordinator under head coach Sean McVay with the Los Angeles Rams. Sloak thinks that could be a plus for Simpson, because his anticipations skills would fit with the McVay scheme.
Simpson would have some good targets in Arizona. Former first-round pick Marvin Harrison Jr. could be poised for a breakout season with a better quarterback under center.
The Cardinals could decide to tank for a quarterback in 2027, projected to be a much better class for quarterbacks. However, there is no guarantee that where they end up picking in 2027 will allow them to land a better quarterback than Simpson.