Ty Simpson declares for the 2026 NFL draft

[Stout]

I’m taking the chance with him at 3. I don’t care. And no I’m not trading back to do it because no one has given a reason as to why a team would trade up in this class, yet.

That would be a Monti pick right there smh

 

[Gandhi]

I could see him going to Miami or Cincy if they trade Burrow

If they trade Burrow, Cardinals should offer up three first round-picks to buy him.

Simpson is obviously a difficult evaluation, but I do think it is a wrong argument to say that he could not beat out Jalen Milroe (not that you did, F4E). Milroe was the surefire starter when Simpson came in, and age and experience just matter a lot in college. Milroe had won an SEC championship, and the offense was built around him. In an NIL-world, I see it as a major positive that Simpson stayed at Alabama even though he was behind Milroe.

Joe Burrow was a backup for three years because he couldn’t beat out J.T. Barrett and Dwayne Haskins. Burrow ended up transferring to LSU. Is Burrow a bad QB?

 

[TheCardFan]

Joe Burrow was a backup for three years because he couldn’t beat out J.T. Barrett and Dwayne Haskins. Burrow ended up transferring to LSU. Is Burrow a bad QB?

Please tell me your not comparing one of the greatest college seasons a QB has ever had, a national championship, and the Heisman winner to Ty Simpson.

 

[Phrazbit]

If they trade Burrow, Cardinals should offer up three first round-picks to buy him.

Simpson is obviously a difficult evaluation, but I do think it is a wrong argument to say that he could not beat out Jalen Milroe (not that you did, F4E). Milroe was the surefire starter when Simpson came in, and age and experience just matter a lot in college. Milroe had won an SEC championship, and the offense was built around him. In an NIL-world, I see it as a major positive that Simpson stayed at Alabama even though he was behind Milroe.

Joe Burrow was a backup for three years because he couldn’t beat out J.T. Barrett and Dwayne Haskins. Burrow ended up transferring to LSU. Is Burrow a bad QB?

When Burrow got his chance he won the national title and the Heisman.

When Ty Simpson got his chance he started it off by losing by 2 scores to a terrible Florida State team and ended it by playing terribly and getting demolished in a playoff game they only qualified for because they're Alabama.

 

[az jam]

I would not judge Simpson on any qb based on the win & loss record of their team.

 

[Totally_Red]

Just say no to Simpson at #3.

 

[Gandhi]

Please tell me your not comparing one of the greatest college seasons a QB has ever had, a national championship, and the Heisman winner to Ty Simpson.

Why? Wasn't you arguing that he could not beat out Milroe? Not what he later became.

 

[Gandhi]

When Burrow got his chance he won the national title and the Heisman.

When Ty Simpson got his chance he started it off by losing by 2 scores to a terrible Florida State team and ended it by playing terribly and getting demolished in a playoff game they only qualified for because they're Alabama.

Again, it doesn't matter. The argument was that he could not beat out Milroe. That is very different from what happened when he did get his chance. Appels and oranges.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Simpson does have talent. He wouldn't be at Alabama if he didn't. I just don't like him at pick 3. There are too many questions marks about him. There were some games where he was lights out and it was against some good teams. But there are too many poor showings too.
Another red flag is why couldn't he connect with Ryan Williams and Williams became a non-factor as the season progressed. He was considered on the Jeremiah Smith level after his freshman year.

 

[DVontel]

That would be a Monti pick right there smh

We’re due for a player that everyone hates draft night actually turn out to be a good player.

 

[Stout]

We’re due for a player that everyone hates draft night actually turn out to be a good player.

Ha, you're not wrong.

 

[Proteus]

We’re due for a player that everyone hates draft night actually turn out to be a good player.

The Suns have had that type of player!

 

[TheCardFan]

Why? Wasn't you arguing that he could not beat out Milroe? Not what he later became.

Correct - as part of the argument.
Again, if you think what Simpson accomplished at Alabama is similar to what Burrow accomplished at LSU - I don't know what to say.

 

[Gandhi]

Correct - as part of the argument.
Again, if you think what Simpson accomplished at Alabama is similar to what Burrow accomplished at LSU - I don't know what to say.

It is not even close. Burrow might have had the best single season in college ever. That's not exactly the case for Simpson.

 

[GatorAZ]

Correct - as part of the argument.
Again, if you think what Simpson accomplished at Alabama is similar to what Burrow accomplished at LSU - I don't know what to say.

Burrow was a mid prospect until his RS Senior season. Simpson is coming off his RS JR season. I would’ve liked to see him return for his 5th year like Joe.

 

[Lomax to Green 84]

I love Mendoza, but I wonder what he would have done at Alabama with zero running game. Indiana is such an incredibly balanced team with an elite offensive line, 3 NFL caliber WR’s, and probably the best and most dominant running game in the country. I am not advocating taking Simpson at #3, but I think Simpson would have also been awesome if he was at Indiana. When Simpson was really rolling, there were some Joe Burrow comparisons being floated. The comparisons were based on Simpson’s elite processing ability.

 

[TheCardFan]

Burrow was a mid prospect until his RS Senior season. Simpson is coming off his RS JR season. I would’ve liked to see him return for his 5th year like Joe.

Are we really comparing Simpson to Burrow?

 

[GatorAZ]

Are we really comparing Simpson to Burrow?

Year by year yeah.

 

[GatorAZ]

I love Mendoza, but I wonder what he would have done at Alabama with zero running game. Indiana is such an incredibly balanced team with an elite offensive line, 3 NFL caliber WR’s, and probably the best and most dominant running game in the country. I am not advocating taking Simpson at #3, but I think Simpson would have also been awesome if he was at Indiana. When Simpson was really rolling, there were some Joe Burrow comparisons being floated. The comparisons were based on Simpson’s elite processing ability.

Mendoza’s pocket presence is the biggest difference IMO.

 

[Ronin]

Ty Simpson’s NFL Decision Just Shook Up the Cardinals’ QB Plans

Following a disastrous 3-14 season, the Arizona Cardinals own the No. 3 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. While it is their highest pick since 2019, the Cardinals aren’t necessarily in a prime position to draft a quarterback.Arizona’s ability to land a quarterback with its top pick is dependent on two...

heavy.com

 

[CardNots]

The Suns have had that type of player!

Thunder Dan comes to mind immediately!

 

[cardpa]

I love Mendoza, but I wonder what he would have done at Alabama with zero running game. Indiana is such an incredibly balanced team with an elite offensive line, 3 NFL caliber WR’s, and probably the best and most dominant running game in the country. I am not advocating taking Simpson at #3, but I think Simpson would have also been awesome if he was at Indiana. When Simpson was really rolling, there were some Joe Burrow comparisons being floated. The comparisons were based on Simpson’s elite processing ability.

For me, this brings up the question of is Mendoza that good or does being surrounded by superior talent allow him to look better than he is. That is essentially what we saw during Murray's time at Oklahoma. The surrounding talent elevated the QB, not the other way around. Take into account how often the Indiana defense gave their offense short fields and you could make an argument that their defense had a lot to do with the offense's success. Mendoza was sacked just 18 times during the regular season which leads one to believe that his Oline did a good job of giving him time to go through his progressions.

Here is a link which is pretty interesting in terms of how college teams ranked in efficiencies. It appears to be quite comprehensive in terms of every facet of the game.

BCF Toys FEI ratings


Just found this and it's quite interesting:

Fernando Mendoza’s 2025 stat line needs context
On paper, Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza put up a big year: 2,980 passing yards, 33 passing TDs, 6 INTs, plus 6 rushing TDs.
But when you dig into who those numbers came against, the story changes.

Where the numbers exploded (subpar competition):
Kennesaw State: 245 yards, 4 TD, 0 INT
Indiana State (FCS): 270 yards, 5 TD, 0 INT
Illinois: 267 yards, 5 TD, 0 INT
Michigan State: 332 yards, 4 TD, 0 INT
Wisconsin: 299 yards, 4 TD, 0 INT

That is where the “highlight reel QB” narrative gets built.
What happened when the opponents got real (ranked, elite, or top-tier defenses):
at Iowa (No. 11 Indiana won 20-15): 233 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
at Oregon (vs No. 3): 215 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
at Penn State (27-24 nail-biter): 218 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Big Ten title vs Ohio State (vs No. 3): 222 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Across those four tougher games, Mendoza had 5 passing TDs and 4 INTs.

Against everyone else, he piled up the clean, efficient box scores.
Bottom line: Mendoza is good, but the 2025 production is inflated.
He feasted on weaker opponents, and when the matchup tightened up, he stopped looking like a stats machine and started looking like a “survive and advance” quarterback.

 

[Harry]

If Simpson went back to Bama he’d be a top-5 pick in 2027. The throws he was making early on are NFL throws but he declined when defenses figured out their offense. I still like him but we have to develop him patiently and perfectly.

If he throws well at Pro Day he’s top 5 now.

 

[Harry]

Bain?

A team could trade up for him.
No?

Love, Simpson

 

[cardpa]

I still believe the combines and pro days will end up moving QBs up or down and some substantially.