Mel Kiper Jr. makes bold prediction about Ty Simpson before NFL draft

The 2026 NFL Draft is right around the corner, and ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. is making a bold prediction about Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. Kiper believes that Simpson will slip out of the first round and will be picked up early in the second round.

"There isn't as much risk in taking Simpson — who had just 15 career starts, all in 2025 — in Round 2," Kiper wrote. "The Jets can roll Geno Smith out and let Simpson develop a bit. I like his pocket presence and accuracy, but he will need some time.

" Kiper is not alone in his assessment. Matt Miller, Jordan Reid, and Field Yates all passed on Simpson in the first round. They all think the only quarterback taken in the first round will be Fernando Mendoza, who's a lock to the Las Vegas Raiders at No.

1. Although they may think Simpson won’t go in the first half, he is on the radar of several NFL teams, including the Cleveland Browns, and he recently had a private workout with the New York Jets. Kiper didn’t think that the Browns would draft him because they have Shedeur Sanders but Browns general manager Andrew Berry made it clear that despite a crowded quarterback room, Simpson is still in the mix for the Browns and other teams as well.