Context:

Ty Simpson, a quarterback from Alabama, is widely regarded as the No. 2 quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft, though his limited starting experience and a stark mid-season performance split complicate projections. In a draft landscape where inexperienced passers carry risk, teams are still eyeing him as a potential early selection, with multiple clubs weighing a буду有 path to development. A notable Browns connection—through Simpson’s father and a long-standing friendship with new coach Todd Monken—adds a tangible landing angle for Cleveland, which also owns two first-round picks to deploy. The piece outlines several plausible fits (Steelers, Rams, Jets, Cardinals, Colts) while underscoring that teams will weigh long-term upside against immediate needs as the draft approaches. Expect exploration of quarterback options to intensify as late April approaches.

Dive Deeper:

• Simpson’s lone season as Alabama’s starter produced a pronounced split: in the first nine games he completed 198 of 296 passes (66.9%) for 2,461 yards with 21 touchdowns and one interception, while the final six games saw 107 of 177 (60.5%) for 1,106 yards, seven TDs and four picks, underscoring evaluation challenges and an injury that ended his run in the CFP quarterfinal.

• He is positioned as the second-best quarterback in the draft class by CBS Sports and is a common pick in first-round projections, with many mocks placing him among the top quarterbacks off the board early in the first round.

• The Browns’ quarterback situation is unsettled despite Deshaun Watson and other veterans on the roster; Simpson’s father is UT-Martin’s head coach and friends with Browns coach Todd Monken, a connection that could influence Cleveland’s organizational interest, especially given their two first-round picks.

• Other potential landing spots include the Steelers in the back half of the first round, the Rams (who could use a future signal-caller while Stafford continues to play), the Jets and Cardinals at similarly strategic positions, and the Colts if Daniel Jones signs elsewhere, though the latter is viewed as less likely.

• The analysis emphasizes development pathways—sitting behind an established starter, managing health and consistency, and refining decision-making—as key to Simpson maximizing his NFL upside amid a market that remains wary of inexperienced quarterbacks.