QB Ty Simpson Visiting Cardinals

Wednesday is the last day for teams to host prospects for this year’s draft, and Arizona is thought to be in the market for a young quarterback after parting ways with Kyler Murray. Their current room is comprised of Jacoby Brissett, who started most of last season, free agency signing Gardner Minshew, and former UDFA Kedon Slovis. None profile as long-term options.

Enter Simpson, who is generally considered a borderline first-round pick after just one year as Alabama’s starter. The Cardinals hold the No. 3 pick, which is likely too high for the 23-year-old, but he might be an option for their second-rounder (No. 34 overall). Arizona could also consider trading back into the first round as the Giants did for Jaxson Dart last year, which preserves the possibility of an all-important fifth-year option for a young quarterback.

Simpson’s lack of starting experience means he will likely need some time to develop in the NFL. That could fit the Cardinals’ current situation with Brissett or Gardner starting this year and Simpson taking over in the future. He would have time to learn the scheme of new head coach Mike LaFleur, which prioritizes processing and accuracy, two of Simpson’s budding strengths. The former will need to get better against NFL defensive schemes, and he may need to get more precise with his ball placement to overcome his lack of arm strength.

But with a weak roster and a much stronger crop of prospects in 2027, the Cardinals may be best-served by waiting a year to draft the right quarterback of the future rather than the best one available this year. LaFleur had a front-row seat to Robert Saleh‘s challenges in New York after he was saddled with 2021 No. 2 pick Zach Wilson, and that is not the only case of a head coach struggling with a quarterback they did not handpick. As an offensive coach, LaFleur may be even more inclined to target the right prospect for his scheme and long-term future. But perhaps if Simpson experiences a Will Levis-esque fall into Day 2, where the Cardinals also hold the No. 65 pick, they may feel that Simpson is worth acquiring anyway to see what he can do as a rookie before making a decision on next year’s draft class.