The Cardinals' options in thin quarterback draft class

The Arizona Cardinals need a quarterback. This is not news to anyone reading this, nor is it news to their front office. But it is, nonetheless, the central issue facing the organization as the NFL draft approaches.

Despite a necessary dose of public praise for Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew, the Cardinals are acutely aware of their defining flaw. Just this week, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah reported, “I do think (the Cardinals) want to come away with a quarterback.”

That is not going to happen at No. 3 overall and it may not even happen with their second pick, No. 34 overall. But it is on the minds of the organization’s top decision makers, even in a draft class that lacks many high-level quarterback prospects.

Here are the top options, excluding Fernando Mendoza, the presumptive No. 1 overall pick.

Tier 1: The key character

Ty Simpson, Alabama

The most important decision the Cardinals will make this month is whether or not they want to draft Simpson. If they do, they would likely trade up from No. 34, moving into the end of the first round — a common strategy with quarterbacks because first-round picks come with an extra year of team control. That, in turn, would likely tether the Cardinals to Simpson for multiple seasons, barring a repeat of the unusual Josh Rosen/Kyler Murray situation from seven years ago.

Simpson, though, stands alone in this class (again, excluding Mendoza). He is noted for his intelligence, processing and character — three traits that could enable him to excel in an offensive system that puts a heavy mental responsibility on the quarterback. That has long been true of Sean McVay’s offenses in Los Angeles and will likely be true of Mike LaFleur’s in Arizona. It is perhaps no coincidence that a former McVay quarterback — Jared Goff — is often floated as the best-case scenario comparison for Simpson.

What Simpson lacks, though, are high-end physical traits. He’s undersized, at 6 feet, 1 inch and 211 pounds. He has average arm strength. His mobility is not a weakness, but also not a standout strength. Plus, he has just 15 career starts and struggled down the stretch last season, pushing him down draft boards. Those weaknesses serve to both increase his risk profile and cap his upside.

Tier 2: The wildcard

Garrett Nussmeier, LSU

A year ago, Nussmeier was seen as a potential first-round quarterback. Then came a disastrous senior year, in which he dealt with a season-long abdominal injury that sapped his throwing power as doctors were unable to find a solution. Now, Nussmeier says, he’s fully healthy.

The injury, though, adds to a risky profile. Nussmeier has excellent arm strength and can throw from multiple platforms. The son of New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier, he can read the field well and often displays advanced intelligence.

But he is also undersized, occasionally injury-prone and makes far too many dangerous decisions, leading to 17 interceptions over the past two seasons. His 19.0% pressure-to-sack rate — per Pro Football Focus — is also a red flag, which scouts attribute to issues with awareness and movement skills inside the pocket. He is projected as a third-round pick for a reason, albeit one with some enticing traits.

Tier 3: The Day 3 longshots

Drew Allar, Penn State

It’s easy to see why Allar was once held in high regard as a prospect. He has prototypical NFL size at 6 feet, 5 inches and 228 pounds and was dominant as a sophomore in 2023, throwing for 25 touchdowns and just two interceptions. A former five-star recruit with an obsession for studying football, he seemed built in a lab to be an NFL quarterback.

His development, though, has not come along. He plays with poor footwork, questionable accuracy and has not developed enough with the mental side of the game. Over the past two seasons, he’s thrown 11 interceptions in 22 starts. Now he’s seen as a Day 3 backup that teams will aim to develop into more.

Cole Payton, North Dakota State

Payton made just 13 career college starts, all at the FCS level. He plays with a lack of refinement inside the pocket and is questioned by scouts for his mechanics — even before he broke his thumb in December. He is seen, in other words, as an incredibly raw prospect who will require extensive developmental work.

And yet, his profile is one that will entice teams on Day 3. He’s 6 feet, 2 inches and 232 pounds with standout arm strength and excellent athleticism. Last season, he rushed for 777 yards and 13 touchdowns. In a class that lacks true dual-threat quarterbacks, Payton stands alone. Tapping into those skills, though, will require significant patience and development.

Tier 4: The small-school enigma

Jack Strand, Minnesota State-Moorhead

Strand is not, to be clear, seen as the No. 6 quarterback in this class. A handful of high-major prospects are vying for that title (Carson Beck, Cade Klubnik, Taylen Green). But his profile is intriguing for a Division II prospect. He has NFL size, a strong arm and advanced football IQ. In each of the past three seasons, he eclipsed 3,000 passing yards and 30 passing touchdowns, albeit with at least 10 interceptions. There will be a massive learning curve as Strand jumps to the NFL but he profiles as a seventh-round flier.

Also worth mentioning: Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort played quarterback at a Division III school in Minnesota. He could have more appreciation for Strand’s journey than most.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Ty Simpson among top QB options for Arizona Cardinals in the NFL Draft