Alabama QB’s combine could be key to Cowboys draft plans come April

The Dallas Cowboys could be on the hunt to move back in the NFL draft. And while it’s a ton of fun and relatively easy to do in mock draft simulators, there has to be a target another team is willing to move up for in order to make a deal. It takes two to tango, so to speak.

That’s why this week’s throwing session, interview process and other related drills at the NFL scouting combine for Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson are so important to a team that has a franchise QB with several years of service remaining. The Cowboys aren’t going to be interested in drafting Simpson, but if he generates buzz this week in Indianapolis, it could trigger him as a first-round possibility.

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The Cowboys have the No. 12 and the No. 20 pick. And right behind Dallas at No. 21 sit the Pittsburgh Steelers, the latest organization to be held hostage by Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers has yet to decide if he’ll return to play for new head coach Mike McCarthy. The two won a Super Bowl together in Green Bay, then had a falling out.

Word is the Steelers organization was highly impressed with Rodgers’ leadership in 2025 and they are waiting on his decision. But even if he comes back, there’s a need to draft a QB of the future. So if Simpson impresses, he becomes a possibility at this spot.

Which means if another team is interested, they’ll feel a need to get in front of Pittsburgh. And that’s where Dallas comes in. If the Cowboys are willing to trade down, they are the perfect landing spot for a team trying to move up.

The Los Angeles Rams could be in a similar situation as Pittsburgh, as they don’t know how much longer Matthew Stafford will be their guy.

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The Rams could look to move up from No. 29, exchanging their first and second-round picks for the Cowboys’ first and fourth. Then there are the teams at the top of the second round (New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals, Las Vegas Raiders, Cleveland Browns) who could look to move up as well.

So of all the players who will be tested, poked and prodded this week in Indy, the Cowboys should pay special attention to the workout of Simpson. He might unlock opportunities for Dallas to recoup their Day 2 picks in this draft.

This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys should be rooting for Ty Simpson to have outstanding combine