Best 1st-Round Landing Spots for QB Ty Simpson in the 2026 NFL Draft

While most expect Fernando Mendoza to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL draft, there's much less certainty around Ty Simpson, who's generated buzz in recent weeks.

In an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, ESPN's Adam Schefter said he's confident Simpson will be a first-round pick.

Dan Orlovsky, Schefter's colleague, believes the Alabama product is the top quarterback in this year's draft class.

Orlovsky isn't alone among analysts who think Simpson could be the best signal-caller coming into the league.

The Ringer's Todd McShay explained why he doesn't see a massive gap between Mendoza and Simpson, stating that the latter has been better than the former in some aspects.

As an intriguing prospect at the most important position, Simpson will be the topic of conversation going into Day 1 of the draft. So, we have highlighted the best landing spots for him in the first round.

Here's something to consider: Simpson has only made 15 collegiate starts. So teams that have a veteran in place may be willing to sit him for a year or two.

Arizona Cardinals

AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin

Jacoby Brissett

Unless the Arizona Cardinals believe in Kedon Slovis, who went undrafted in 2024 and has yet to start in a regular-season game, they don't have their long-term starter at quarterback.

Jacoby Brissett, 33, is a holdover from the previous coaching regime, and Gardner Minshew II is a 29-year-old journeyman on his fifth team in five years. Both have starting experience, but they profile as bridge-gap starters.

If the Cardinals take Ty Simpson with the No. 3 overall pick, it would be a shocking selection, given the team's needs along the offensive and defensive lines and the talent available at those positions. They could move down or up from the second round for him, though.

In 2023, general manager Monti Ossenfort moved out of the No. 3 spot down to No. 12 and then back up to No. 6 for offensive tackle Paris Johnson. He's not afraid to make a deal during the draft, which opens up the possibility that the Cardinals could maneuver into a comfortable spot for Simpson in the middle of the first round.

Behind two veteran signal-callers in Arizona, Simpson wouldn't have to start right away. Offensive-minded head coach Mike LaFleur can gradually develop him into a franchise player.

Cleveland Browns

AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki

Shedeur Sanders

During last year's draft, the Cleveland Browns took two quarterbacks, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, in the third and fifth rounds, respectively. They started nearly the same number of games, 13 combined, but neither of the two stood out as a surefire starter.

Cleveland will have an open quarterback competition, with Deshaun Watson included. That said, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam has admitted that the team "took a big swing and miss" when it acquired Watson from the Houston Texans and signed him to a $230 million fully guaranteed deal.

Gabriel and Sanders haven't done enough for the Browns to pass on a signal-caller with one of their two first-rounders, even if the club believes the 2027 quarterback class is a much stronger group. 

It could only help the Browns to take more swings at quarterbacks until they find their franchise guy. This time, though, Cleveland can consider a much less costly gamble to finally solve its biggest need.

Simpson would have a chance to win the Browns' starting job outright. If he doesn't, Cleveland should be able to surround him with a stronger supporting cast next year. As of now, the Browns' new-look offensive line needs to jell, and another wide receiver must emerge to help whoever starts under center.

Los Angeles Rams

AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

Matthew Stafford

Because of Matthew Stafford's age and his contemplation of retirement in recent years, the Los Angeles Rams are a team to watch for a quarterback. 

The 38-year-old is coming off an MVP campaign, but he's only under contract for another year. Los Angeles should consider the future of the position.

Stetson Bennett IV is the only other quarterback on the Rams' roster. Since Los Angeles selected him in the fourth round of the 2023 draft, he's yet to play in a regular-season game. Jimmy Garoppolo, who's a free agent, served as the team's primary backup over the last two seasons.

You can make the case that the Rams' biggest roster need is a backup quarterback. So, it's not a stretch for them to strengthen that position with the No. 13 overall pick.

Instead of taking a prospect who would likely play in a rotational role on a stacked roster, Los Angeles can invest premium capital in Stafford's potential successor. 

With Ty Simpson's limited starting experience, he can learn a lot from Stafford, the reigning MVP and an elite player who led his team to a Super Bowl title.

New York Jets

AP Photo/Ashley Landis

Geno Smith

This offseason, the New York Jets reunited with Geno Smith, acquiring him from the Las Vegas Raiders. 

The Raiders will pay $16.2 million of his $19.5 million salary this year. General manager Darren Mougey can roll the dice on a young signal-caller while his team starts a low-cost veteran placeholder.

Equipped with two first-rounders, the Jets can take the best prospect available with the No. 2 overall pick and then take Simpson at 16. Gang Green could come out of Day 1 with arguably the best defensive player in the class and its future starting quarterback, which would be a strong haul.

Although Smith would likely start this year, he's 34 and will try to rebound from his worst statistical season as a starter since his first stint with the Jets. If the 13-year veteran continues in a downward spiral, Simpson could see the field by the end of the 2026 campaign in New York.

Pittsburgh Steelers

AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough

Will Howard

As the Pittsburgh Steelers wait for Aaron Rodgers to make a decision on whether he'll continue his career in the NFL, they have a big question mark at quarterback.

Even if the in-house buzz around Will Howard is real, the Steelers shouldn't bank on a sixth-round pick in his second season if Rodgers announces his retirement. Yes, Mason Rudolph is in Pittsburgh as additional veteran depth, but the team needs more upside at the position.

New Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy has a solid track record of developing and optimizing his quarterbacks' talent. Under his tutelage, Rodgers won two MVPs, and Dak Prescott had his best pro seasons, logging career highs in touchdown passes (37), completions (410) and completion percentage (69.5).

While some believe that McCarthy was an underwhelming hire, he could be the right head coach to groom Ty Simpson into a starter. Also, the rookie signal-caller would have two big targets in two-time Pro Bowler DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr.

Pittsburgh can set up Simpson for immediate success.

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.