NFL Draft intel: Five prospects on the rise — including Alabama’s Ty Simpson

Each week, Yardbarker monitors the 2026 NFL Draft, scheduled April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. 

From an Alabama quarterback to a Texas cornerback, here are five players we're tracking: 

Alabama QB Ty Simpson

Despite being only a first-year starter, Simpson (6-foot-2, 208 pounds) could crash Round 1 of the 2026 draft. On his updated big board, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. lists the Alabama junior as his No. 3 QB, behind Indiana's Fernando Mendoza and Oregon's Dante Moore. 

"His lack of experience might be a concern, as Simpson didn't start a game until this season, but the production is hard to ignore," wrote Kiper. "Simpson knows the game and competes on every down."

Through six starts, Simpson leads the SEC in touchdown passes (16), ranks second in passing yards (1,678) and is third in completion percentage (70.9 percent). He has also tossed just one interception. 

Simpson — who has attempted 239 passes in four seasons at Alabama — could wait until after the 2026 season to declare for the draft. However, with the 2026 QB class failing to meet preseason expectations, he may be tempted to leave school early.  

Indiana WR Elijah Sarratt 

Sarratt (6-foot-2, 209 pounds) earned Senior Bowl Offensive Player of the Week after logging eight receptions for 121 yards and one TD catch in a 30-20 Week 7 win over Oregon.

"[Sarratt's] body control and hand-eye coordination at the catch point were showcased on Saturday," wrote ESPN's Jordan Reid in a story published Sunday. "He is viewed as a middle-round target, but for teams searching for immediate contributors at receiver, he has the potential to play early on." 

Even more encouraging for WR-needy teams eyeing Sarratt is he produces with different QBs.

This offseason, California transfer Mendoza replaced QB Kurtis Rourke (now with the San Francisco 49ers). Through six games, Sarratt is tied with Ohio State standout WR Jeremiah Smith for the most TD catches (seven) in the Big Ten.  

Georgia LB CJ Allen 

After Allen logged 10 tackles and one sack in a 20-10 Week 7 win over Auburn, Kiper wrote the Georgia star showcased skills that could make him a "three-down linebacker" at the next level. 

"His read-and-react skills, speed and physicality make him a tough task for opponents," wrote Kiper. "At 6-foot-1 and 235 pounds, Allen took on blocks in run defense, made plays on the ball in coverage and got after the QB." 

Georgia's track record at LB bolsters Allen's draft stock. Under head coach Kirby Smart, the program has produced several first-round LBs, including Baltimore Ravens star Roquan Smith. (The Chicago Bears selected Smith with pick No. 8 in the 2018 draft.) 

Allen may be the next Bulldogs LB taken in the first round. In Yardbarker's Seth Trachtman's latest mock draft, the Buffalo Bills select him with pick No. 31. 

Texas A&M DE Cashius Howell 

Ahead of Texas A&M's 34-17 Week 7 win over Florida, The Ringer's Todd McShay compared Howell to an "attack dog." 

"I want you to think of every movie or show you've ever watched, and there are like these rabid dogs chasing down whoever is trying to break into the property," McShay said on his podcast. "That's what Howell is." 

Howell's tenacity was on display against Florida. Pro Football Focus credited the 6-foot-2, 248-pounder with four pressures and an outstanding 90 pass-rush grade in the win over the Gators. For his efforts, the Senior Bowl named him Defensive Player of the Week. 

The 2026 class is deep at edge-rusher, featuring Miami DE Rueben Bain Jr. and Auburn DE Keldric Faulk. Still, Howell — tied for third in the FBS in sacks (eight in six games) — may be working his way into the second tier of pass-rushers. On Tankathon's updated big board, he's listed as its No. 8 edge-rusher.  

Texas CB Malik Muhammad

Muhammad (6-foot, 188 pounds) returned from a lower-leg injury in the Red River Rivalry against Oklahoma and was a difference-maker. In the 23-6 win by Texas, the corner grabbed two interceptions off Oklahoma QB John Mateer, who had returned from a right thumb injury suffered in a Week 4 win over Auburn.

On Tuesday, Muhammad was named Thorpe Award National Defensive Back of the Week after already earning SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors. 

The Thorpe Award recognizes the best DB in college football. Former Texas star Jahdae Barron (now with the Denver Broncos) won it last season. Barron has rubbed off on Muhammad, his teammate at Texas for two seasons.

"For those who love watching ultra-competitive, twitchy-man coverage corners who frustrate wide receivers, Malik Muhammad is a must-watch," Bleacher Report's Daniel Harms, who gave the CB a second-round grade, wrote in his scouting report. "He built a reputation as someone QBs don't often want to test because his basketball and track backgrounds show up on the football field."