There wasn't any drama surrounding the first quarterback selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, but what about the second?
After Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza landed with the Las Vegas Raiders at the No. 1 overall pick, the attention shifted to where Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson would end up. Widely considered the second-best quarterback prospect in the 2026 class, Simpson had a variety of possible landing spots heading into the first night of the NFL draft. As it turns out, he didn't have to wait too long to hear his name called.
Outside of the Raiders, a few teams were notably in immediate need of a new signal-caller behind center. The New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals are among the most quarterback-needy teams in the NFL, though more pressing needs at other positions could take precedence over drafting a young quarterback in the first round.
2026 NFL DRAFT: Who is attending the first round? List of green room invites
Through the first half of the draft, has Simpson heard his name called? Or does he still remain available for a team in need of young talent at the position?
Here's what to know as the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft continues on:
Quarterbacks headline early evaluations for the 2026 NFL Draft as teams begin sorting the best available prospects at the position.See the college quarterbacks drawing attention as draft boards take shape ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.Above, Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana Hoosiers reacts after a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks during the fourth quarter of the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 09, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Ty Simpson of the Alabama Crimson Tide scrambles during the first quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2026, in Pasadena, California.
Garrett Nussmeier of the LSU Tigers drops back to pass against the Baylor Bears during the first half in the Kinder's Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium on December 31, 2024, in Houston, Texas.
Cade Klubnik of the Clemson Tigers warms up during the first half of a football game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 29, 2025, in Columbia, South Carolina.
Drew Allar of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts after a touchdown against the UCLA Bruins during the fourth quarter at Rose Bowl Stadium on October 04, 2025, in Pasadena, California.
Miami's Carson Beck throws during the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Green passes during the third quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
Colorado Buffaloes linebacker LaVonta Bentley #20 tackles North Dakota State Bison quarterback Cole Payton #9 in the first half at Folsom Field.
Luke Altmyer of the Illinois Fighting Illini throws a pass against the Western Illinois Leathernecks during the first half at Memorial Stadium on August 29, 2025, in Champaign, Illinois.
Diego Pavia of the Vanderbilt Commodores makes adjustments prior to the snap during the second quarter of the game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 01, 2025, in Austin, Texas.
1 / 10See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL DraftQuarterbacks headline early evaluations for the 2026 NFL Draft as teams begin sorting the best available prospects at the position.See the college quarterbacks drawing attention as draft boards take shape ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.Above, Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana Hoosiers reacts after a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks during the fourth quarter of the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 09, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Quarterbacks headline early evaluations for the 2026 NFL Draft as teams begin sorting the best available prospects at the position.See the college quarterbacks drawing attention as draft boards take shape ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.Above, Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana Hoosiers reacts after a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks during the fourth quarter of the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 09, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Ty Simpson of the Alabama Crimson Tide scrambles during the first quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2026, in Pasadena, California.
Garrett Nussmeier of the LSU Tigers drops back to pass against the Baylor Bears during the first half in the Kinder's Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium on December 31, 2024, in Houston, Texas.