The consensus around Alabama QB Ty Simpson in the last few weeks has been that he's pretty much locked himself in the first round. He's the undisputed No. 2 QB in the class behind Indiana's Fernando Mendoza, though more than one expert has challenged that Simpson might be the best quarterback available.
But not everyone agrees with Simpson's worthiness as a first-round pick. There's been pushback on that recently, particularly after Dan Orlovsky's ardent defense of Simpson. With just three weeks to go until the NFL Draft, ESPN's latest mock draft played out like Simpson's worst nightmare with the Crimson Tide product slipping out of the first round altogether.
ESPN draft experts Mel Kiper Jr., Matt Miller, Jordan Reid, and Field Yates alternated picks in their latest mock, and after Mendoza went No. 1 to the Las Vegas Raiders, no other signal-caller went in the first round.
Kiper is the one who ultimately pulled the trigger on Simpson, picking for the New York Jets with the 33rd overall pick, the first selection of the second round. On the pick, Kiper had this to say:
There isn't as much risk in taking Simpson -- who had just 15 career starts, all in 2025 -- in Round 2. 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.
ESPN projects Ty Simpson to fall to the Jets in the 2nd Round
The Jets have been a popular landing spot for Simpson throughout the pre-draft process. They recently hosted a private workout and dinner with Simpson in Tuscaloosa right after his Pro Day.
The Jets have two first-round picks, selecting at No. 2 and No. 16. They would obviously be thrilled if they are able to land the Alabama QB with the first pick of the second round, but they shouldn't count on it.
There's always a premium on quarterbacks in the NFL Draft, and even if Simpson isn't ultimately selected in the top half of the first round, it seems unlikely that he'll fall out of day one of the draft entirely with as many QB-needy teams as there are out there.
It continues to trend - regardless of what the ESPN experts project here - that Simpson will ultimately be selected higher than most believe.