ESPN Analytics says QB Ty Simpson is 3rd-likeliest prospect to be picked by Panthers at 19

Maybe this is a little crazy, but has anyone considered that the Carolina Panthers could use their first-round pick of the 2026 NFL Draft on a quarterback?

Well, the numbers over at ESPN Analytics have indicated as much. In fact, their NFL Draft Day Predictor—a tool that projects which prospects have the best chances of being selected with each of the top 96 picks—is making it seem like a decent possibility.

According to the Predictor, University of Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson has about an 8.3-percent chance of ending up as the 19th overall pick. That percentage is the third-highest at Carolina's spot, behind only University of Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman (12 percent) and Indiana University wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. (~9.5 percent).

ESPN Draft Day Predictor

We might be going out on a limb here, but the chances of the Panthers using that 19th pick on Simpson are probably much closer to 0.0 percent than they are to 8.3. Between an encouraging 2025 campaign from 2023 No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young and, well, common sense—Simpson's only shot at going at No. 19 would be if Carolina trades back with a quarterback-needy team.

And, hey, perhaps that's the process the analytics are taking. If so, the Cleveland Browns, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals could be potential trade partners for the Panthers.

Outside of that, don't expect general manager Dan Morgan to shock the football world and add another Crimson Tide passer next Thursday night.

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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: ESPN Analytics: Ty Simpson among Panthers' likeliest 1st-round picks