GLENDALE – A trio of NFL draft experts all posted a 2026 mock draft in the past six hours that all have the Arizona Cardinals doing the same move: selecting Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., The Ringer’s Todd McShay and The Athletic’s Dane Brugler all have similar methods for how general manager Monti Ossenfort and the franchise will be able to snag Simpson, with two of them having the exact same trade package.
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Alabama’s Ty Simpson (15) a touchdown pass during the College Football Playoff game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Alabama Crimson Tide at the Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Friday Dec. 19, 2025. Syndication: The Oklahoman
Expert projected Cardinals move to select Simpson in Draft:
- Kiper: Arizona trades up from 34th with package to Miami’s 30th pick
- McShay: Arizona trades 34th, 143rd and 183rd for Miami’s 30th pick
- Brugler: Arizona stays at 34th, no trade
Jan 1, 2026; Pasadena, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) passes against the Indiana Hoosiers in the first half of the 2026 Rose Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Kiper and McShay sees the 30th pick as the best chance for Arizona to trade back into the first round. Early in the draft process, many experts believed the Cardinals would need to trade up in the middle to higher teens picks to draft Simpson. However, after the combine and free agency, the opportunity for Ossenfort to wait till near the end of the first round is a real possibility.
Brugler has Ossenfort staying put at the team’s 34th pick, the second pick in the second round on Day 2. Simpson has lost some steam to be a first-round QB, making him being available at 34th likely. However, a problem might arrive in between the time of Round 1 and Round 2. A team could trade with the New York Jets for the 33rd pick to jump the Cardinals and select Simpson just ahead of them.
Feb 24, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort speaks at the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
A weak quarterback class makes this reality unlikely, but Simpson has been one of the few prospects at his position to raise his stocks during this draft process. With all three experts having the same selection, it becomes clear that Ossenfort and the franchise is serious about pursuing Simpson and won’t spar any expense.
Potential Cardinals trade partner for third overall pick emerges ahead of 2026 NFL Draft
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
