Nick Wright's 2026 NFL mock draft projects Alabama QB Ty Simpson as a first-round pick, but suggests he may be overdrafted.
Wright highlights Ohio State linebackers Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles as top defensive prospects, with Reese drawing Micah Parsons comparisons.
The mock draft includes controversial picks, such as a running back early, questioning team strategy based on historical precedents like the Raiders.
📖 Full Retelling
Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson has seemed to pick up so much buzz in the weeks leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft that most mock drafts now have him going in the first round. "First Things First's" Nick Wright believes that'll be the case as well. However, does Wright agree with the idea that Simpson should be a first-round pick? In his first mock draft, Wright projects that the team that will select Simpson will massively overdraft him. But there's also a pick in the top 10 that Wright projects will happen that he said would be a move he couldn't support. Let's take a closer look at Wright's first mock draft. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. All odds via DraftKings Sportsbook. 1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana Wright's thoughts: "No shocker at all. We all know where [Mendoza] is going." Odds to be selected No. 1: -20000 2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State Wright's thoughts: "You'll see a lot of Ohio State kids in the top 10. [Reese] is maybe the best defensive player in this draft. I feel Aaron Glenn looks at him and says, ‘Is there a little Micah Parsons there?’" Odds to be No. 2 overall pick: -270 3. Arizona Cardinals: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State Wright's thoughts: "You guys like spider graphs and athleticism? His is 99 percentile everywhere. Maybe the sickest athlete in the draft." Odds to be No. 3 overall pick: +700 4. Tennessee Titans: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame Wright's thoughts: "The pick that everyone now seems to think is happening. … Is it smart to draft a running back that high before your offensive line has been fully built? Maybe ask the Raiders that." Odds to be No. 4 overall pick: +160 5. New York Giants: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State Wright's thoughts: "Malik Nabers is coming off the [ACL] injury. Even with Nabers, [the Giants] don't have a surefire No. 2 [wide receiver]."
This news matters because it provides early insight into potential NFL draft trends and team strategies two years ahead of time, influencing fan discussions, media narratives, and sports betting markets. It affects NFL teams, scouts, and analysts who track emerging college talent, as well as fans and bettors looking for speculative content. The projections also reflect how media personalities shape public perception of draft prospects long before actual evaluations occur.
Context & Background
The NFL Draft is an annual event where teams select eligible college players to join their rosters, with the order determined by the previous season's records.
Mock drafts are speculative projections created by analysts and media members to predict which players teams might select, often based on team needs, player performance, and pre-draft buzz.
Early mock drafts for future years (like 2026) are highly speculative and focus on underclassmen or rising college stars, with accuracy increasing closer to the draft date.
Sports betting on draft outcomes, including prop bets for specific picks, has become increasingly popular in legalized markets, influencing mock draft content and coverage.
What Happens Next
As the 2025 college football season progresses, player performances will reshape draft boards, and more analysts will release updated mock drafts. Key events include the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine and pro days, which will provide official athletic data. Team needs will also evolve based on 2025 NFL season outcomes, free agency, and trades, making these early projections highly fluid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ty Simpson and why is he mentioned?
Ty Simpson is a quarterback from the University of Alabama who is generating significant media buzz as a potential first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, though analyst Nick Wright suggests he may be overdrafted.
What is controversial about the Titans' projected pick at No. 4?
The Titans are projected to select Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love at No. 4 overall, a move Wright questions because drafting a running back that high before solidifying the offensive line is often seen as a risky strategy.
How reliable are mock drafts two years in advance?
Mock drafts for drafts two years away, like this 2026 projection, are highly speculative and primarily for entertainment and discussion, as player stocks, team needs, and draft order will change dramatically.
What role do betting odds play in this mock draft analysis?
Betting odds from DraftKings Sportsbook are included for each pick, reflecting market sentiment and adding a gambling perspective, which is increasingly intertwined with sports media coverage.
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Original Source
Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson has seemed to pick up so much buzz in the weeks leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft that most mock drafts now have him going in the first round. "First Things First's" Nick Wright believes that'll be the case as well. However, does Wright agree with the idea that Simpson should be a first-round pick? In his first mock draft, Wright projects that the team that will select Simpson will massively overdraft him. But there's also a pick in the top 10 that Wright projects will happen that he said would be a move he couldn't support. Let's take a closer look at Wright's first mock draft. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. All odds via DraftKings Sportsbook. 1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana Wright's thoughts: "No shocker at all. We all know where [Mendoza] is going." Odds to be selected No. 1: -20000 2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State Wright's thoughts: "You'll see a lot of Ohio State kids in the top 10. [Reese] is maybe the best defensive player in this draft. I feel Aaron Glenn looks at him and says, ‘Is there a little Micah Parsons there?’" Odds to be No. 2 overall pick: -270 3. Arizona Cardinals: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State Wright's thoughts: "You guys like spider graphs and athleticism? His is 99 percentile everywhere. Maybe the sickest athlete in the draft." Odds to be No. 3 overall pick: +700 4. Tennessee Titans: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame Wright's thoughts: "The pick that everyone now seems to think is happening. … Is it smart to draft a running back that high before your offensive line has been fully built? Maybe ask the Raiders that." Odds to be No. 4 overall pick: +160 5. New York Giants: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State Wright's thoughts: "Malik Nabers is coming off the [ACL] injury. Even with Nabers, [the Giants] don't have a surefire No. 2 [wide receiver]."
