There have been a few constants throughout the pre-draft process as NFL possibilities for Alabama QB Ty Simpson.
Teams like the Jets, Browns, Dolphins, Steelers, and Rams have frequently been projected landing spots for Simpson.
While all of those certainly remain as possibilities, a new team emerged on Tuesday with news that they intended to release a former Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall pick.
The Kyler Murray era in Arizona is coming to an end, and the Cardinals are suddenly in the market for a new franchise quarterback.
The Cardinals currently hold the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, which is probably too high to use on Simpson. But ESPN's Jordan Reid still projected Simpson to land with the Cardinals in his latest mock draft, just via trade.
Reid projected the Cardinals to jump back into the first-round at pick No. 28 via a trade with the Houston Texans. There, Arizona takes Simpson after landing Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey with the No. 3 pick.
Ty Simpson could be Kyler Murray's replacement with the Arizona Cardinals
Former NFL quarterback Chase Daniel had a lot of praise for Simpson coming out of the NFL Combine.
In a recent appearance on ESPN, Daniel talked about the possibility of Simpson landing with the Cardinals and likened it to a perfect spot.
"I think that he does need to actually sit for a little bit. ... Similar to sort of a Drake Maye type thing."
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) March 3, 2026
—@ChaseDaniel on Ty Simpson sitting in his first year 🏈 pic.twitter.com/Demv6LjlRs
Daniel likes the fit because the Cardinals have an experienced veteran quarterback already in Jacoby Brissett, who can work as a bridge while Simpson learns and prepares to take over the job.
One of the best schematic fits for Simpson is widely believed to be with Sean McVay's Los Angeles Rams because of their timing-based system. It just so happens that the Cardinals hired away McVay's offensive coordinator - Mike LaFleur - to be their head coach. Like McVay, LaFleur comes from the expansive Kyle Shanahan coaching tree.
While Arizona picking Simpson at No. 3 is probably a reach, they may want to consider moving up further than No. 28 to grab Simpson if they are serious enough about him. As we get closer to the draft, I think you'll see Simpson's stock continuing to trend upwards after a terrific showing in Indianapolis.