Field Yates’ 2026 NFL mock draft has Arizona Cardinals trading up for Alabama QB Ty Simpson

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GLENDALE – When Field Yates floated his latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft on Get Up, the reaction wasn’t shock; it was intrigue. Not just because the Arizona Cardinals might take a quarterback, but because of how deliberately the plan passes up a rebuilding timeline.

At No. 3, Yates projects Arizona selecting Ohio State’s versatile defensive talent Arvell Reese, a cornerstone defender with immediate impact potential. Then comes the pivot of a trade up to No. 26 with the Buffalo Bills to grab Alabama QB Ty Simpson, a quarterback defined less by flash and more by control.

Alabama’s Ty Simpson (15) a touchdown pass during the College Football Playoff game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Alabama Crimson Tide at the Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Friday Dec. 19, 2025. Syndication: The Oklahoman

“Simpson stood out with his ability to navigate the pocket and throw with accuracy and power when he can set his feet,” Yates noted. It’s a telling evaluation, one that prioritizes stability over spectacle. The current room, anchored by Gardner Minshew and Jacoby Brissett, offers competence, not ceiling. Simpson represents the in-between of a player who can grow now and prevent a collapse later.

Jan 1, 2026; Pasadena, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) passes against the Indiana Hoosiers in the first half of the 2026 Rose Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

There’s a psychological play here, too. Trading up for Simpson signals they are willing to address the QB situation, and aren’t willing to wait for a rebuild. Together, it mirrors the blueprint the New York Giants attempted when balancing defense and quarterback upside as they did with Abdul Carter and Jaxon Dart if they go the same route with Arvell Reese and Ty Simpson.

Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese (8) reacts during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin.

For Cardinals fans, the takeaway is clarity. This isn’t a desperate swing, but it could be a layered bet. Build the spine of the roster now, stabilize the future quietly, and let internal competition define the timeline. If they decide to roll the dice on Simpson, it could be a big move, though it might not be defining for the future, rather a move that makes them more competitive.

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Reporter Benjamin Bliklen covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @BenBliklen

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