New NFL Mock Draft Reveals Ty Simpson Landing Spot

Chad Reuter's five-round projection has Alabama QB going 16th overall to the Jets.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 9:05pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting an abstract football game, with players and field reduced to sharp, overlapping planes of color in a palette of blues, greens, and ochres.Reuter's mock draft offers a cubist perspective on the upcoming NFL Draft, deconstructing the top prospects and potential team strategies.New Orleans Today

NFL draft analyst Chad Reuter released a five-round mock draft for NFL.com on Friday, with Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson projected to be selected 16th overall by the New York Jets. Reuter's top 10 picks included Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza going first to the Raiders and several other notable prospects like Ohio State LB Arvell Reese, Miami OT Francis Mauigoa, and Georgia RB Jeremiyah Love. The mock also featured a few trades, including the Lions moving up to select Utah OT Spencer Fano and the Chiefs trading up to nab Alabama OT Kadyn Proctor.

Why it matters

The Jets have a need at quarterback with Geno Smith only under contract for one more season, and Simpson is viewed as one of the top passers in this year's draft class behind Mendoza. If the Jets do indeed select Simpson, he could be their long-term answer at the position.

The details

Reuter's mock draft has the Jets taking Simpson with the 16th overall pick, noting that the team 'needs a quarterback' and that Simpson is the 'second-best passer in the draft' behind Mendoza. The mock also features several other notable picks and trades, including the Lions moving up to select Fano, the Chiefs trading up for Proctor, and the Browns and Bills both trading up to select wide receivers.

  • Reuter's five-round mock draft was released on April 3, 2026.

The players

Chad Reuter

An NFL draft analyst who released a five-round mock draft for NFL.com.

Ty Simpson

An Alabama quarterback projected to be selected 16th overall by the New York Jets in Reuter's mock draft.

Fernando Mendoza

An Indiana quarterback projected to be selected 1st overall by the Las Vegas Raiders in Reuter's mock draft.

Arvell Reese

An Ohio State linebacker/edge rusher projected to be selected 2nd overall by the New York Jets in Reuter's mock draft.

Francis Mauigoa

A Miami offensive tackle projected to be selected 3rd overall by the Arizona Cardinals in Reuter's mock draft.

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What they’re saying

“The Jets need a quarterback, and Simpson is still on the board. There is sufficient depth at receiver and cornerback in this class that the team could address both early in the second round while still securing the second-best passer in the draft in Simpson.”

— Chad Reuter, NFL Draft Analyst

What’s next

The 2026 NFL Draft will take place from April 24-26, so teams will have to make their final decisions on which players to select in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

This mock draft from Chad Reuter provides an interesting look at how the top of the 2026 NFL Draft could play out, with the Jets potentially landing Alabama QB Ty Simpson as their quarterback of the future if he's available at 16th overall.