Adam Schefter Delivers Definitive Update on Ty Simpson's NFL Draft Outlook
In a significant development just days before the 2026 NFL Draft, ESPN insider Adam Schefter has provided a clear update on Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, effectively removing one popular rumor from the board. The talented signal-caller has been linked to multiple teams throughout the extensive pre-draft evaluation cycle, but that list is now shrinking as insiders gain firmer reads from front offices across the league.
Draft Landscape Solidifies as Teams Finalize Plans
With the 2026 NFL Draft scheduled to commence on April 23, most teams have largely finalized their strategic plans, making late-breaking information particularly reliable. While Simpson still maintains a viable path into the early rounds, his realistic landing spots now point toward a more concentrated range rather than a wide-open sweepstakes involving numerous franchises.
Schefter Eliminates Rams, Highlights Jets and Cardinals
During a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Adam Schefter directly addressed the growing speculation surrounding Simpson's potential destinations. The veteran reporter explicitly ruled out the Los Angeles Rams as a viable option while explaining why they once made logical sense as a potential landing spot.
"If the Rams had possessed pick number 29, which they traded to the Kansas City Chiefs for Trent McDuffie, they would have given Ty Simpson serious consideration right then and there," Schefter revealed during his appearance. This context proves crucial because Los Angeles no longer controls that selection, effectively removing them from the conversation entirely.
Schefter then shifted his analytical focus to the teams that remain genuinely in range and possess roster needs that align with Simpson's specific profile. "The odds circle back to the Arizona Cardinals and the New York Jets... The Jets hold the first selection of the second round... The Cardinals possess pick number 34," he elaborated during the same broadcast appearance.
Strategic Positioning for Day 2 Selections
This analysis places both the New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals in particularly strong positions, especially during the early portion of Day 2 where quarterbacks with considerable upside but some developmental risk frequently come off the board. While Arizona also controls the valuable No. 3 overall pick, Schefter hinted that this scenario might involve complex trade discussions rather than a direct selection, keeping Simpson's likely draft range outside the very top tier of prospects.
Scouting Concerns Impact Draft Stock
Simultaneously, recent feedback from around the league helps explain why Simpson's draft stock hasn't climbed higher during the evaluation process. In a report published on April 20 by NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, anonymous executives pointed to specific concerns about Simpson's physical size and durability following the heavy hits he absorbed during his collegiate career at Alabama.
These evaluators acknowledged Simpson's impressive timing, accuracy, and ability to process plays rapidly, but the durability questions have created some hesitation among certain front offices. When connecting all available information, the emerging picture becomes increasingly clear: the Rams are definitively no longer a factor, and Ty Simpson's potential landing spots have narrowed to a more defined window led primarily by the Jets and Cardinals.
This development transforms draft night from a speculative guessing contest into a strategic waiting game, with Simpson's professional future likely to be determined within a specific range of selections rather than across multiple rounds. As teams finalize their draft boards and make last-minute adjustments, Simpson's journey from Alabama to the NFL appears headed toward resolution with fewer variables than previously anticipated.
