With the 2026 NFL Draft closing in, there’s quite a bit of intrigue as to where Alabama QB Ty Simpson could end up being selected.
Simpson led Alabama to a 10-3 regular-season record in his lone season as the Crimson Tide's starting QB. Due to his success, Simpson staked his claim to perhaps being the second QB selected in the 2026 NFL Draft behind Indiana's Fernando Mendoza.
Below, we’ll dive into Ty Simpson's 2026 NFL Draft profile. What are Simpson’s biggest strengths and weaknesses, and what could an NFL franchise be getting if it chose to pick him?
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Ty Simpson 2026 NFL Draft Profile: Measurements and Combine Results
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 211 pounds
Arm Length: 30 7/8"
Hand Size: 9 3/8"
Individual Drills: DNP
In the NIL era, it’s rare to see QBs wait their turn to be the starter, but that’s exactly what Simpson did. After 2024 starter Jalen Milroe took his talents to the NFL, Simpson finally got his opportunity to be “the guy” in Tuscaloosa, and he took full advantage of it by leading Alabama to a College Football Playoff berth.
Throughout the draft process, Simpson has been tabbed by many analysts as the second-best signal-caller in the class. As a result, Simpson chose to sit out the NFL Scouting Combine, simply receiving measurements and letting his tape speak for itself.
Ty Simpson Stats at Alabama (2025)
Ty Simpson 2025 Passing Stats: 305-for-473 (64.5%), 3,567 yards, 28 TDs, 5 INTs
Ty Simpson 2025 Rushing Stats: 90 attempts, 93 yards, 2 TDs
Alabama was one of the top defenses in the nation in 2025, allowing just 19.2 points per game. As a result, Simpson wasn’t required to put up absurd numbers in a handful of games, yet he still managed to register 10 multi-TD performances through the air.
Simpson ended up passing for the second-most yards in the SEC behind Ole Miss’ Trinidad Chambliss (3,937). The Crimson Tide star enjoyed a stellar stretch in which he faced No. 5 Georgia, No. 16 Vanderbilt, No. 14 Missouri, and No. 11 Tennessee early in SEC play, going 4-0.
Ty Simpson NFL Comparisons
Shades Of:
- Brock Purdy
- Jared Goff
- Mac Jones
Simpson’s mobility in the pocket draws plenty of parallels to the game of San Francisco 49ers QB Brock Purdy. The two signal-callers have a very similar build. While Simpson isn’t a dual-threat, he has no problem pulling the ball down and taking off when the opportunity presents itself.
The Alabama QB also has some Detroit Lions' Jared Goff in his game due to his ability to hang tough in the pocket and go through his progressions. Simpson also has decent arm strength, much like Goff, but the running ability is a lot more noticeable.
Ty Simpson NFL Draft Scouting Report: Strengths and Weaknesses
Ty Simpson Strengths
- Excellent decision-making as he goes through his progressions in the pocket
- Terrific mobility in the pocket
- Strong footwork that is clear when he sets and throws
- Has no problem running the football if no one is open
- Rarely misses open receivers on traditional passes
Ty Simpson Weaknesses
- Only has one season of starting experience
- Struggled over his final four games, producing just a 57.0% completion percentage
- Has a tendency to hold onto the ball too long and take sacks
- Needs to improve accuracy on deep throws
There’s no doubt that Mendoza has placed himself head and shoulders above the rest of the 2026 QB class. An undefeated season that results in a national title will tend to do that.
After Mendoza, Simpson has the makings of a QB that could come off the board in the latter portion of the first round or potentially slip into the second round. While there are obviously some weaknesses, like many field generals, there’s also a great deal to like about what Simpson brings to the table.
Simpson is the definition of a pocket passer; he remains calm behind his offensive line but can climb if he needs to. The Crimson Tide standout doesn’t have elite arm strength, although he has a solid enough arm to get the job done slinging it downfield.
During the aforementioned four-week span of SEC play, Simpson completed 69.0% (89-of-129) of his passes for 1,069 yards with 9 TDs and just 1 INT.
It’s clear that one of Simpson’s top attributes is his mobility. Alabama also designed some RPO (run-pass option) plays for him during his time under center, in which he was able to rip off large chunks of yards.
On the other side of that coin, Simpson does take too many sacks at times and attempts to extend plays when he truly needs to just get rid of the football. At the NFL level, defenders will be bigger and faster — some split-second decisions could make or break Simpson’s success.
According to Pro Football Focus, Simpson had a pressure-to-sack rate of 18.3%, which ranked 34th among draft-eligible QBs in 2025.
Overall, Simpson may not be a QB who will come in and start right away. He could benefit from learning a system and sitting behind a veteran before getting his shot at the professional level.
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Ty Simpson NFL Draft Projection and Best Fits
New York Jets: Round 1, Pick 16
The Jets could be the first spot in the first round for Simpson. It’s no secret that New York has been in dire need of a franchise QB for quite some time.
The Jets signed QB Justin Fields to a two-year, $40 million contract extension during the 2025 offseason. That move turned out to be a disaster, though, and he's since been traded to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Before Fields, the Jets selected QB Zach Wilson with the No. 2 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and also traded for veteran Aaron Rodgers. Those experiments, too, failed to yield much success.
Assuming no team reaches for Simpson in the top 15, the Jets could think about scooping him up with the No. 16 pick. New York could also entertain trading down a few spots to select him.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Round 1, Pick 21
The Steelers are another team that could be in the market for a QB in the 2026 NFL Draft.
It’s possible that Pittsburgh could sign Rodgers to another one-year deal, but it’s still unclear what Rodgers’ plans are for the upcoming season.
It’s worth noting that the Steelers did select former Ohio State QB Will Howard in the 2025 NFL Draft and could elect to hold out hope that Rodgers wants to sign. In that event, perhaps they wait until Day 2 to add a QB like Miami’s Carson Beck or LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier.
Depending on what the board looks like, Simpson has a ton of upside and could be on Pittsburgh’s radar. If Rodgers does return, Simpson would have the opportunity to learn for a year before competing for the starting job.
Arizona Cardinals: Round 2, Pick 34
It’s possible that Simpson could fall out of the first round entirely. If that ends up being the case, the Cardinals could pounce.
The Cardinals released former No. 1 pick Kyler Murray this offseason. The franchise does have veterans Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew II on its roster, but Simpson may make sense as a long-term solution.
In fact, according to PrizePicks Team Picks, the Cardinals are projected as the most likely team (returning a 2x payout) to draft Simpson.
Brissett had success after Murray was lost for the season. Could he take the majority of the snaps in 2026 before Arizona brings Simpson along in 2027 if selected?
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It’s widely anticipated that Mendoza will be the first signal-caller off the board in the 2026 NFL Draft. Regardless of when it happens, Simpson may be the second.
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