Mel Kiper Jr. Backs Shedeur Sanders Over Ty Simpson, Says Browns Don't Need Alabama QB in NFL Draft

ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. believes the Cleveland Browns don't need to go quarterback in the NFL draft with Shedeur Sanders aboard. Specifically, Kiper mentioned that Sanders is better than Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson.

"The Browns don't have to worry about Ty Simpson," Kiper told ESPN's Field Yates on the latest edition of First Draft. "They got a better QB than Ty Simpson in Shedeur Sanders. Don't go there."

Kiper's love for and defense of Sanders has been well-known since the 2025 draft season. Of note, he made waves for consistently backing Sanders as he fell in the draft and eventually landed in the fifth round to the Browns.

Kiper notably ranked Sanders first among quarterbacks and fifth overall on his final 2025 NFL draft big board.

He's staunchly remained in Sanders' corner ever since.

"Is he the quarterback of the future? I think he is, the doubters and the haters will be out there saying he's not," Kiper said in part on ESPN Cleveland recently.

As for Simpson, he's looking like the No. 2 quarterback on big boards leading into the draft. He's currently QB2 (and No. 26 overall) on Bleacher Report's latest big board.

QB1 is Indiana signal-caller Fernando Mendoza, who looks likely to go first overall to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Simpson looks like a potential first-rounder. Cleveland holds picks at No. 5 and No. 24 in the first round this year. He could very well be there at No. 24, but clearly Kiper believes that the Browns should go forward with Sanders.

The former Colorado star completed 56.6 percent of his passes for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions last year while adding 169 rushing yards and one more score. He finished 41st out of 42 qualifiers in quarterback rating for the season.

However, Sanders certainly flashed potential, most notably when he threw for 364 passing yards and three touchdowns while adding 29 rushing yards and a rushing score in a 31-29 loss to the Tennessee Titans.

The Browns had opportunities to add to the QB room via trade or free agency but did not do so this offseason. Now attention turns toward the draft, which begins on April 23. If Cleveland doesn't make a move there early, one can surmise Sanders should be the clear early favorite to be QB1 to begin 2026.