Mel Kiper Jr. predicts Cardinals-Dolphins trade to get Kyler Murray QB replacement

Mel Kiper Jr. predicts Cardinals-Dolphins trade to get Kyler Murray QB replacement originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Arizona Cardinals moved on from Kyler Murray, which means they officially need a new quarterback of the future.

While the 2026 NFL Draft may not have the best options to find one, there's one player who has been linked to the Cards frequently: Ty Simpson.

The Cardinals' best chance of getting the Alabama QB, according to ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr., is to make a trade back into the first round.

He suggests the Miami Dolphins as the best partner in a deal that would send picks 30 and 94 to the Cardinals in exchange for picks 34 and 65.

"It's getting late in Round 1, and all of the non-Mendoza quarterbacks are still on the board," Kiper writes in his new mock draft. "The Jets have the 33rd pick to kick off Round 2, so I wouldn't be surprised if one of these QB-needy teams tries to trade back into Round 1 to get ahead of New York and also secure the fifth-year option on Ty Simpson. In this projected deal, the Cardinals send Nos. 34 and 65 to the Dolphins for Nos. 30 and 94. The Dolphins would then have five total picks in the top 75 and still be able to get an impact player early on Day 2."

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The Cardinals wouldn't have to start Simpson right away, but the goal would clearly be that he becomes the long-term answer.

"The Cardinals could absolutely wait until 2027 to find their next franchise QB, and this small trade up at the end of Round 1 wouldn't keep them from doing so anyway," Kiper writes. "But there's an opportunity for Arizona to land a talented passer at good value. You might have heard that Simpson has started only 15 games, and that lack of experience is a concern. But he is also accurate, mobile and smart in the way he dissects opponent defenses. He threw 28 touchdown passes to only five interceptions last season. Why not take a swing at the most important position in the game?"

The Cardinals have Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew on the roster at the moment. They can form a bridge as long as Arizona needs it.

But when Simpson proved he was ready, he'd get to take the field. The Cardinals, if they made this move, would be hoping he is a worthy replacement.

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