Ty Simpson Could Become a Franchise QB If These 2 Teams Draft Him
While the NFL world remains divided on exactly where Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson will land in the 2026 NFL Draft, his upside is rarely questioned. But former NFL player turned analyst Louis Riddick believes there are only two teams that would truly maximize Simpson's potential.
One concern surrounding Simpson is his limited experience, with just one full season as a starter. Even so, he impressed enough to be widely viewed as the second-best quarterback in this class, completing 64.5 percent of his passes for 3,567 yards, 25 touchdowns, and five interceptions, while adding two rushing scores.
Simpson has drawn interest from several quarterback-needy teams except the Las Vegas Raiders, who are widely projected to select Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick. Meanwhile, the New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals, and the Los Angeles Rams have emerged as the primary suitors.
According to Riddick, the Rams and Cardinals stand out as the ideal destinations due to their offensive systems.
"The Jets, the Rams, the Cardinals, with the Rams and the Cardinals being the two teams that have the kind of systems in terms of offensive philosophy that he is tailor-made for," Riddick said about Simpson's best landing spots during an appearance on "Up And Adams" with Kay Adams.
"Mark my words - if he goes to one of those two teams, if he's coached in that system, Ty Simpson will be a decades-long starter in the NFL...He's a fantastic player, he just is."
"If he goes to [the Rams or Cardinals]... Ty Simpson will be a decades-long starter in the NFL"
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) April 16, 2026
ESPN analyst Louis Riddick on the best spots for the Alabama QB@LRiddickESPN | @ty_simpson06 | @heykayadamspic.twitter.com/wVXFxODzJT
Riddick has consistently expressed confidence in Simpson's potential. While some evaluators question his physical traits, Riddick believes those doubts fade with closer evaluation.
"Once you see him throw in person, you're going to get a real feel for the kind of horsepower he has in that right arm," he said previously.
It is also no surprise that Riddick is less enthusiastic about the Jets as a developmental landing spot, given their recent struggles with quarterbacks such as Sam Darnold, Zach Wilson, and Justin Fields.
His preference for the Rams and Cardinals is rooted in coaching and system fit. Sean McVay's offensive approach in Los Angeles is widely respected, while Arizona's new head coach, Mike LaFleur, brings similar principles after working under McVay and sharing a coaching lineage with his brother, Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur.
At this stage, all three teams, along with the Pittsburgh Steelers, remain in play for Simpson. Most projections place him in the second round, though recent momentum suggests he could sneak into the first, with the Cardinals even viewed as a potential trade-up candidate.
Both Arizona and Los Angeles offer ideal development paths. The Cardinals could ease Simpson in behind Jacoby Brissett, while the Rams would not need to rush him with Matthew Stafford still going strong, allowing him to develop patiently, much like the Packers once did with Jordan Love behind Aaron Rodgers.
Related: Ty Simpson Predicted to Join Struggling NFC Team in NFL Mock Draft
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This story was originally published April 17, 2026 at 7:56 AM.