As the 2026 NFL Draft fast approaches, the rumor mill is operating at absolute maximum capacity. Quarterback evaluations are typically the most fiercely debated and highly volatile topics of the draft cycle, with experts rarely seeing eye-to-eye on where developmental prospects should land.
However, a stunning consensus is suddenly emerging regarding one of the most intriguing signal-callers in this year’s class: Ty Simpson.
NFL Draft Experts Agree on Ty Simpson’s Fit with the Arizona Cardinals
According to three of the industry’s most widely respected draft analysts, Mel Kiper Jr., Todd McShay, and Dane Brugler, the former Alabama quarterback is destined to land with the Arizona Cardinals.
This fascinating trend was recently highlighted by PHNX Sports’ Johnny Venerable on X, pointing out the rarity of such lockstep agreement among the top tier of draft pundits.
When Kiper, McShay, and Brugler all connect the exact same prospect to the same franchise in the weeks leading up to the draft, it usually signals that there is legitimate fire behind the smoke.
Todd McShay, Dane Brugler, and Mel Kiper Jr all released mock drafts today.
All of them have the Arizona Cardinals selecting Alabama QB Ty Simpson.
— Johnny Venerable (@JohnnyVenerable) April 15, 2026
In his latest mock draft, Kiper emphasized Simpson presents a “talented passer at a good value” and is an ideal fit for the Cardinals’ current quarterback room. He has the Cardinals trading up with Miami to get Simpson near the end of the first round at No. 30.
“You might have heard that Simpson has started only 15 games, and that lack of experience is a concern,” Kiper said. “But he is also accurate, mobile and smart in the way he dissects opponent defenses. He threw 28 touchdown passes to only five interceptions last season. Why not take a swing at the most important position in the game?”
Simpson finished 2025 with a PFSN CFB QB Impact score of 85.4, which ranked him 25th overall. That was good enough for Dane Brugler of The Athletic to also have Simpson going to the Cardinals, but early in the second round at No. 34.
Todd McShay also joined the chorus in his recent draft projections, pointing out that Arizona is in a prime position to invest in a high-ceiling prospect. He also has the Cardinals trading up to No. 30 to get Simpson, sending Nos. 34, 143, and 183 to the Dolphins for No. 30.
“The cost (a fifth- and sixth-round pick) is minimal, and they’d land a quarterback with legitimate starting upside who fits first-year HC Mike LaFleur’s system. Just as importantly, it would give them a full year to evaluate Simpson internally before deciding how aggressive they want to be in next year’s quarterback market,” McShay said.
This industry-wide alignment shouldn’t come as a total surprise to our readers, as it perfectly mirrors our own recent projections. In fact, in our latest PFSN 3-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft, we also have Simpson heading to the desert.
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Our analysis highlights how the Cardinals are uniquely positioned with their current draft capital to take a calculated swing on a quarterback with Simpson’s pedigree, adding vital depth and long-term upside to their roster.
With the draft just around the corner, player-team fits are beginning to finally crystallize. While the NFL Draft is inherently unpredictable, the overwhelming agreement between Kiper, McShay, Brugler, and our own analysts strongly suggests that Simpson trading his Crimson Tide uniform for Cardinal red is one of the safest bets on the board.
