The final stretch before the NFL Draft is heating up, and one of the most intriguing quarterback prospects is making his case to several key franchises. Alabama's Ty Simpson has a busy itinerary, with official top-30 visits lined up with the Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, and Miami Dolphins, according to reports from NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo. Adding to the buzz, Simpson also recently put his skills on display in a private workout for the New York Jets.
These meetings are crucial for Simpson, who is widely viewed as the clear QB2 in this year's class behind presumptive top pick Fernando Mendoza. With a strong showing, he could solidify his standing as a first-round selection. The teams he's visiting hold significant draft capital early, with a combined nine picks at No. 34 or higher, giving them ample opportunity to make a move for the talented signal-caller.
The First-Round Question
All eyes will be on the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 1 overall, where they are expected to select Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza. After that, the quarterback conversation shifts squarely to Simpson. While the Jets (No. 2), Cardinals (No. 3), Browns (No. 6), and Dolphins (No. 12) might not use their earliest selections on him, each holds additional valuable picks that could be used to secure his services later in the opening round or early on Day 2.
The New York Jets, for instance, pick again at No. 16 and hold the first pick of the second round at No. 33. Cleveland and Miami also have late first-rounders at No. 24 and No. 30, respectively. Arizona, armed with the No. 34 pick after a tough season, has been a popular speculative destination for Simpson in mock drafts. In fact, ESPN analyst Jordan Reid recently projected the Cardinals would trade up to No. 28 to select the Alabama product, suggesting he's a "perfect fit" in new coach Mike LaFleur's offensive system.
Analysts See a High Probability
The momentum for Simpson landing in the first round is building among experts. Reid himself gave the quarterback a 75% chance of hearing his name called on opening night. His colleague, Field Yates, was even more bullish, putting the probability at a whopping 90%. "Simpson is the clear-cut second-best QB prospect," Yates wrote, pointing to a strong first half of his final college season and the sheer number of teams in need of a quarterback.
While Arizona presents a compelling storyline, the other visits are equally fascinating. Cleveland's quarterback room, featuring recent picks Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, remains a topic of debate. However, ESPN's Adam Schefter has already doused speculation that the Browns would use a first-round pick on the position this year. Meanwhile, in Miami, the Dolphins handed a big contract to Malik Willis but could still be looking to add competition, making Simpson's visit to South Beach more than just a formality.
Simpson's journey is a reminder of the high-stakes chess match that is the NFL Draft. For a player with just 15 collegiate starts, these final meetings are his chance to answer any lingering questions and convince a franchise he's worth a premium pick. His performance in these rooms could very well dictate whether he's celebrating on Thursday night or waiting anxiously into Friday.
The draft process is always full of surprises, and Simpson's tour of these quarterback-needy teams is one of the most watched storylines. As teams finalize their boards, the Alabama star has a golden opportunity to secure his NFL future and become the next face of a franchise. The coming days will reveal which of these visits made the strongest impression.
