ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. lists two Alabama players as first-round picks in new mock draft

Oct 25, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) passes against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has released his mock draft ahead of the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, and he has two Alabama offensive starters going in the first round.

With the 16th overall pick, Kiper Jr. has the New York Jets using the first-round pick they received from the Indianapolis Colts to select quarterback Ty Simpson.

The Jets also have the No. 2 overall pick, but Kiper Jr. believes that there is no other quarterback who is worth taking in the first few picks like Indiana’s Fernado Mendoza. He projects that the Jets will use that draft choice to take Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese.

Kiper Jr. views Simpson as the No. 2 overall quarterback in the 2026 draft class, and the news of Oregon’s Dante Moore returning to college opened the door for Simpson almost certainly be a first-round pick as a few NFL teams need quarterbacks.

In 2025, Simpson threw for 3,567 yards and 28 touchdowns. Simpson was a Heisman Trophy contender for most of the season, but his play declined after sustaining a few injuries that bothered him in the back half of the year like a bulging disk. Still, the performances that Simpson had at certain points in SEC play are ones that caught the eyes of numerous NFL scouts and draft analysts like Kiper Jr.

“Let’s be clear, though: I do have some concerns about Simpson,” Kiper Jr. wrote. “He has 15 career starts, which means this pick would come with a lot of risk. That’s just not enough game experience. We also can’t ignore his dip in performance in the second half of the 2025 season. But there’s also no questioning his upside. Simpson has good pocket presence, and he fired 28 touchdown passes and only five interceptions this past season. If the Jets can surround him with talent on offense and develop him, he has a high ceiling.”

Later in the opening round, Kiper Jr. has the Houston Texans taking left tackle Kadyn Proctor with the 28th overall pick.

“Houston turned its offensive line upside down last offseason in a full makeover effort, but there wasn’t enough improvement,” Kiper Jr. wrote. “The unit was still 30th in pass block win rate at 55.5%, though the sack count dropped from 54 (tied for third most) to 31 (tied for ninth fewest).

He also mentioned that Proctor could switch to right tackle or even play guard if the Texans do not re-sign or bring back starters from this year. Proctor could still move inside or to the right side of the offensive line if he struggles at left tackle in the NFL. The speed that NFL edge rushers play with is enough fuel for some offensive linemen to have nightmares, but Proctor could get an opportunity to showcase what he can do at left tackle if the Texans go the offensive lineman route.

As of now, those are the only Alabama players projected to be selected in the first round.