Mel Kiper reveals why he has Jets taking Ty Simpson in 2026 NFL Draft

Unsurprisingly, longtime ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. believes the New York Jets will add a quarterback in this month’s draft.

Perhaps even more predictable is that Kiper has joined the growing crowd of people who think the Jets should take Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the No. 33 pick. Simpson, who only started one season with the Crimson Tide, has frequently been mocked to the Jets in recent weeks, both at No. 16 and in the second round.

“The Jets can roll Geno Smith out and let Simpson develop a bit,” Kiper explained in an April 2 mock draft. “I like his pocket presence and accuracy, but he will need some time.”

Simpson completed 64.5% of his passes last year for 3,567 yards and a 28-5 TD-INT ratio for the Crimson Tide. Alabama went 11-4 and reached the College Football Playoff quarterfinal.

Ty Simpson emerges as popular mock draft target for the Jets

Kiper’s suggestion comes days after his ESPN colleague, Matt Miller, projected Simpson to the Jets at No. 33 in his own mock draft. Miller, Kiper, Jordan Reid, and Field Yates collaborated on Thursday’s three-round mock.

Simpson is the only quarterback the foursome believes will go in the second round, and only one of two quarterbacks selected within the first 64 picks. Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza is the overwhelming favorite to go No. 1 to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Even if you’re cynical about how Smith will fare in his second Jets stint, it’s hard to argue against Simpson — or any quarterback the team drafts — opening the year in a developmental role. It’s not like the Jets are exactly in a position to compete for a playoff spot, and I’m among those prepared for another double-digit loss season.

As for Kiper’s belief that Simpson isn’t immediately ready to play, that’s nothing new for the majority of this quarterback class. There’s a reason why Mendoza is typically considered the only quarterback worth selecting in the first round.

Even those with extensive experience, such as Miami’s Carson Beck, are not widely viewed — at least, by the media and draft analysts — as prospects who could immediately contend for a starting position.

Kiper also predicted that three quarterbacks would go in the third round: Beck to the Cardinals at No. 65, Penn State’s Drew Allar to the Steelers at No. 85, and LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier to the Rams at No. 93. The Jets recently hosted Allar, who missed the back half of last year with a broken left ankle, for a private workout.