Jets Nab QB Ty Simpson at 16 in Mel Kiper Mock

Jets Nab QB Ty Simpson at 16 in Mel Kiper Mock

Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest NFL mock draft is here. It shows some big changes after the combine and free agency. The biggest move? Running back Jeremiah Love is now projected in the top five. He goes number four to the Tennessee Titans. But the story for many fans is about a quarterback. Alabama’s Ty Simpson is projected to go 16th overall. The New York Jets have this pick. It’s their second first-round selection. They got it from the Sauce Gardner trade.

Mendoza Tops the Draft Board

The number one pick remains the same. Fernando Mendoza is still going first overall. He’s headed to the Las Vegas Raiders. This pick is post-combine and post-free agency. The feeling around Mendoza is strong. He’s seen as a franchise quarterback. The Raiders are lucky to have the top pick. Mendoza had a fantastic season. He was on fire from start to finish. He threw nine touchdowns with only one interception in key games. He cut down his sacks a lot. He showed he could beat defenses with his legs. He also showed toughness. He came back after getting hit hard in a Big Ten game. His accuracy was good at all levels. He figured out how to win every week. Even in tough moments, he led his team on scoring drives. Mendoza proved he was the top quarterback. Some say next year’s class has better QBs. But they aren’t at Mendoza’s level yet.

Concerns About Mendoza’s Game

Not everyone is fully sold on Mendoza as a can’t-miss prospect. Dan Orlovsky has watched his tape. He thinks fans should slow down. Orlovsky says Mendoza needs to improve. There isn’t much evidence of him going through his full progressions. He often relies on his first read or scrambles. His best plays often come on broken downs. An example against Oregon shows this. Mendoza had a deep shot option. It wasn’t open. He saw receivers downfield. But he checked down quickly. Or he ran around. Orlovsky wants to see him make those NFL throws. He believes Mendoza needs to work on his pocket presence. Sometimes his eyes drop when he feels pressure. This can lead to him running instead of making a throw. Orlovsky feels this style might not translate well to the NFL. He says it’s easy to praise him. But it’s important to see what he needs to work on.

Raiders Banking on Potential

The Raiders need a quarterback. They are expected to pick Mendoza. Head coach Clint Kubiak is key here. He’s known for developing quarterbacks. The team believes Mendoza has the right stuff. He’s a winner. He’s a leader. He has the drive to get better. Kubiak’s offense will challenge Mendoza. It requires him to go through deeper progressions. This is different from his college offense. That often focused on quick reads or checkdowns. The Raiders are not expecting a finished product. They are building for the future. They believe Kubiak can help Mendoza reach his potential. They are willing to wait for him to develop. They likely won’t start him right away. Veteran help like Joe Flacco or Kirk Cousins could be an option.

Ty Simpson’s Draft Slide and Potential Landing Spots

Ty Simpson’s draft stock has fluctuated. In mid-November, he was seen as a top-10 pick. But his stock fell. This was due to offensive line struggles, a weak run game, dropped passes, and Simpson dealing with injuries. Now, Kiper has him going 16th to the Jets. This is a good spot for him. The Jets have two first-round picks this year. They also have three first-rounders next year. Jets offensive coordinator Frank Reich is a big fan of Simpson. Simpson only has 15 college starts. He’s not ready to start immediately. The Jets have Geno Smith, who will be 36 in October. Simpson can sit and learn behind Smith for a year. This is a valuable opportunity. The Jets might not get a chance at a top QB next year. Arch Manning might not be available or want to play for the Jets. So, if they like Simpson, 16th overall is a solid place to get him.

Why Simpson Could Go Higher

Some analysts believe the gap between Mendoza and Simpson isn’t that large. Dan Orlovsky suggests that if Simpson were taller, say 6’4″, he would be a much higher pick. He might even be considered for the number one pick. Simpson’s performance in games against Missouri, Wisconsin, and Vanderbilt was impressive. He showed he could make deep throws and timing passes. He’s not just running an RPO or dink-and-dunk offense. He’s making real NFL throws. Orlovsky sees him as more of a playmaker than many believe. Mel Kiper Jr. points out that Simpson was carrying his team at times. He had 22 touchdowns and only 2 picks before mid-November. He made clutch throws with little help. Kiper also notes that Frank Reich drafted Bryce Young, who is also from Alabama and has similar size concerns. Simpson also has experience. He backed up Bryce Young at Alabama. He practiced against top NFL talent daily. Plus, he’s a coach’s son, with his father being a head coach.

Other Potential Teams for Simpson

Besides the Jets, other teams could be interested in Ty Simpson. The Los Angeles Rams at pick 13 are a possibility. However, they might prioritize winning now over a future QB. Arizona could also look to trade up. Pittsburgh and Cleveland are also in need of quarterback help. These teams are mentioned as potential first-round landing spots for Simpson.

Source: Mel Kiper Jr.'s NFL Mock Draft 🍿 Which team should draft QB Ty Simpson? | Get Up (YouTube)