Where Ty Simpson gets drafted, teams who could shake up NFL Draft and more
Answering the draft’s biggest questions two days out from the event
By Josh Edwards
Although opinions may change at a moment’s notice as more information becomes available, there is no better time to take stock of where one’s mind is regarding some of the 2026 NFL Draft’s most thought-provoking questions than just a few days out from the event.
I solicited the thoughts of CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson and Mike Renner on a variety of topics from how long Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson’s wait in the green room will last to which team is most likely to be responsible for the moment that shakes up the entire first-round. The answer to those questions and more can be found below:
The 2026 NFL Draft will take place from April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. More draft coverage can be found at CBSSports.com, including the weekly mock drafts and a regularly available look at the eligible prospects.
1. When will Ty Simpson come off the board and which team will select him?
Ryan Wilson: Cardinals in Round 1. “I think the Jets pass on Simpson at No. 16 and the Steelers do the same at No. 21. I also think he’s a first-round talent, and the Cardinals, who have the second pick of Round 2 (right after the Jets) would be wise to move up a few spots to get back into the first round to grab Simpson. The Jets obviously have needs at QB, but they also have Geno Smith back in the fold, and a rookie QB isn’t going to be the reason Aaron Glenn keeps his job. Plus, the Jets have enough picks for 2027 to find a franchise QB. The Cardinals, meanwhile, have Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew at QB, and while Brissett did a better job than Kyler Murray of running the offense a season ago, he’s not the long-term answer.”
Mike Renner: Steelers in Round 1. “I think 21 to the Steelers. If they hadn’t taken Kenny Picket 20th in 2022 I think Steelers fans would be over the moon about this. Simpson flashed far more ability to create from the pocket than Pickett did in college. That will translate to the league.”
Josh Edwards: Cardinals in Round 1. “The buzz has been that Arizona is most interested in Simpson. They pick at No. 34 overall, so there is a train of thought to support the idea of trading back into the first round for the fifth-year option. Who are the teams ahead of them that have an argument to take the player? The Rams probably would not draft a quarterback of the future at No. 13 overall after making other big moves to improve the roster this season. The Jets and Browns? They may be more interested in the 2027 draft class. Pittsburgh makes sense, but the team’s offseason moves suggest they are more interested in maximizing this year’s potential than in worrying about the future. Arizona is the obvious team, but Atlanta was not obvious the year they took Michael Penix Jr.”
2. Who is the safest prospect in this class and why?
Wilson: IOL Vega Ioane, Penn State. “Vega Ioane is the cleanest prospect in this class because there’s almost no projection required — what you see on tape is exactly what translates on Sundays. He plays with a consistently low pad level, absorbs bull rushes, resets with a well-timed punch, and is rarely off-balance or out of position. What separates Ioane from other interior offensive linemen, even those likely to go in the first round, is attention to the technical details and consistency in both pass protection and the run game. There’s no boom-or-bust projection with Ioane; just a high-floor player with plug-and-play ability for the next decade.”
Renner: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame. “The athlete will translate exceptionally well to the NFL. He doesn’t need a great situation to produce.”
Edwards: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State. “Safest is a relative term. I think the possibility exists that Downs is not consistently viewed in the same tier as Kyle Hamilton, considering there is so much turnover among the All-Pros at the position. However, there is no scenario in my mind that Downs is an outright failure.”
