GLENDALE, AZ — The post-Kyler Murray era in Arizona has officially reached its crossroads. With the 2026 NFL Draft just days away, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. predicts a bold move from General Manager Monti Ossenfort to secure the next face of the franchise. In his final mock draft, Kiper projects the Cardinals will trade back into the first round to snag Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson.
Arizona currently holds the No. 3 overall pick, a spot widely expected to be used on a blue-chip defensive disruptor. However, the real fireworks happen at the end of the first round. Kiper expects Arizona to strike a deal with the Miami Dolphins, sending the 34th and 65th overall picks to Miami in exchange for the 30th and 94th selections.
The Mike LaFleur Factor
New head coach Mike LaFleur didn’t come to the desert to tread water. After the team moved on from Murray, Arizona signed veterans Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew to short-term deals. They are reliable “bridge” options, but they aren’t the future. LaFleur’s offense needs a processor who can play with rhythm and mobility.
“The Kyler Murray era is over, but I’m not putting a lot of stock in Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew being anything more than bridge options,” Kiper noted in his final evaluation. “There’s an opportunity for Arizona to land a talented passer at good value.”
Simpson waited his turn in Tuscaloosa, but his 2025 season silenced the skeptics. He finished the year with 3,567 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and only 5 interceptions. He only started 15 games for the Crimson Tide, yet his accuracy and high football IQ jump off the film. He isn’t just a pocket passer; he possesses the “sneaky” mobility required to survive in today’s NFC West.
Draft Implications and the Bernard Connection
This trade creates a win-win scenario that analysts are already buzzing about. While Arizona gets their quarterback, Miami uses the 34th pick to grab Alabama wideout Germie Bernard. Bernard was Simpson’s favorite target, hauling in 64 receptions for 862 yards last season. Seeing the two Crimson Tide stars go back-to-back in the early second round adds a poetic layer to the draft’s opening weekend.
The atmosphere at the Cardinals’ facility is electric. Scouts have spent months debating whether to wait until the 2027 class for a quarterback, but the value of a fifth-year option on a first-round passer like Simpson is too high to ignore. If Ossenfort pulls the trigger, the Mike LaFleur era officially begins with a bang.
Playoff Implications / What’s Next
The Cardinals are playing the long game, but this move accelerates their timeline. By pairing a top-three defensive talent with a first-round quarterback, Arizona addresses its two biggest needs in one night. Expect the defense to lead the way early in 2026 while Simpson learns behind Brissett. If the Alabama product proves he can handle the speed of the NFL by mid-season, Arizona could move from “rebuilding” to “spoiler” in the NFC West playoff race much faster than anticipated.
