With the NFL draft less than three weeks away, NFL teams are starting their final push. The first round is usually reserved for players that franchises see as franchise players, building blocks to strengthen a weakness.
As a result, marquee positions like quarterback and left tackle become a priority. An ESPN analyst makes the case for the New York Jets to start a rebuild around one particular player.
Why ESPN’s Jordan Rodgers Believes the Jets Should Draft Ty Simpson
After their sixth consecutive double-digit-loss season, the New York Jets find themselves with the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s draft. ESPN analyst Jordan Rodgers thinks the Jets should draft the Alabama passer.
.@RealTannenbaum and @JRodgers11 address potential concerns with Ty Simpson in the NFL 🤔 pic.twitter.com/xC2ppX9IcR
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) March 27, 2026
“I think the biggest concern is the starts. It shows how quickly he got to a level that’s elite and a level that could be a Top 10 pick!”
By most estimations, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is the top-ranked quarterback in this draft class. After that, Ty Simpson, in the eyes of some analysts, ascended and is worthy of a high selection.
He started just one season at Alabama, waiting behind Bryce Young and Jalen Milroe. Simpson enjoyed a well-regarded pro day to boost his draft stock.
Simpson landed at No. 25 in the PFSN CFB QB Impact Rankings. Rodgers believes that Simpson could fit what the Jets need, but they need to make sure not to rush him.
“Get him in a situation where he can sit. Have the Jets learned yet that if you find a guy with traits and you let him develop, he could be good.”
In many cases, teams will immediately rush a first-round quarterback into the starting lineup. While it does work, other cases of teams being patient also turn out well. For example, the Kansas City Chiefs drafted Patrick Mahomes in the first round of the 2017 draft.
During his rookie season, Mahomes played only one game, the last contest of the season. The team already clinched a playoff spot behind Alex Smith.
After that year, he’s been the starter ever since, winning three Super Bowls. Rodgers cites one of the Jets’ most recent decisions.
“Sam Darnold. Two years, started with the Jets. Won a Super Bowl because they kicked him to the curb.”
Darnold actually played three seasons in New York, compiling a 13-25 record. On top of that, his touchdown-to-interception ratio stood at 45:39.
Darnold bounced around, developing with the Minnesota Vikings before winning with the Seattle Seahawks. Rodgers articulated his plan.
“Get Ty. Let him sit behind Geno (Smith). Develop for a year and you’re gonna have a guy that’s really special.”
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On March 11, the Jets traded a sixth-round pick to the Las Vegas Raiders for Smith and a seventh-round pick. Smith played his first four seasons for the Jets.
New York, specifically head coach Aaron Glenn, will need to decide how to handle Simpson if they select him. The draft begins on April 23, live from Pittsburgh.
