Arizona Cardinals Have a Conundrum on Their Hands Named Ty Simpson

In this episode of Locked on Cardinals, Alex Clancy is joined by special guest Trevor Sikkema from NFL Stock Exchange for a comprehensive, nuanced deep-dive on the Arizona Cardinals’ options and philosophy heading into the NFL Draft. The two scrutinize the persistently polarizing debate around quarterback Ty Simpson, dissecting why he remains in the Cardinals' conversation despite concerns about readiness, arm strength, size, and performance inconsistency. Trevor Sikkema offers a detailed breakdown of Simpson’s college trajectory, his learning curve against top defenses, and what “quarterback tax” means for his draft value. The discussion centers not just on Simpson’s abilities but on the broader implications—how drafting him could hamstring the team’s flexibility next year in what’s expected to be a stacked quarterback class, echoing the team's Rosen-to-Kyler sequence. Shifting gears, Alex Clancy and Trevor Sikkema tackle the idea of “best player available,” revealing why that concept is much more layered than many fans expect. Trevor Sikkema challenges the simplistic take and explains why, especially given the Cardinals' roster construction, "return on investment" and positional value matter just as much as pure player rankings on a draft board. The merits and drawbacks of various prospects—like Jeremiah Love and the versatile Sonny Styles—are weighed not just in terms of raw talent but team necessity, roster fit, and long-term planning. The conversation also features a critical look at offensive line priorities, with Trevor Sikkema advocating for a right tackle as the premier “ROl” pick at No. 3, even in the absence of a generational talent at the position. The hosts dissect mock draft permutations, why some picks look like "reaches," and how the Cardinals could maximize their haul by moving down the board—potentially landing additional first and second rounders if trade partners like Dallas get aggressive. Further, the hosts candidly assess GM Monti Ossenfort’s tenure, comparing national and local perspectives on his roster-building moves, trade strategies, and why a lackluster win-loss record doesn’t necessarily reflect failure. The episode closes with banter about managing draft week stress, vacation planning, and giving listeners a sense of what goes on behind the curtain in both draft rooms and media analysis. With sharp analysis, humor, and debate, this episode arms Cardinals fans with perspective and context, demystifying draft season hype and helping them set realistic (but hopeful) expectations for the team’s future. Let's discuss.   Everydayer ClubIf you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get two-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started — Play Your Game. Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast. Rugiet Get 15% off your treatment → https://rugiet.com/lockedonnhl Rugiet. Performance medicine for men. QuoMake this the year where no opportunity — and no customer — slips away. Try Quo for free plus get 20% off your first 6 months when you go to http://Quo.com/lockedonnfl. Home ChefFor a limited time, Home Chef is offering my listeners 50% off your first box, free shipping, and free dessert for life. Go to http://HomeChef.com/LOCKEDON. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)     Find and follow Locked On Cardinals on your favorite podcast platforms:     Apple https://apple.co/3gzT6Pg Spotify https://spoti.fi/3wsOL7a Audacy https://bit.ly/3xdaqjU Stitcher https://bit.ly/3cFWffn Google https://buff.ly/2yH7WOl Megaphone https://bit.ly/2RUBlC5x Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.