Alabama QB Ty Simpson Fires Back at Critics, Blasts False Narrative Surrounding His Draft Stock

Ty Simpson believes the narrative that he is not ready for the NFL is inaccurate and wants experts to see him play before forming such perspectives.

Alabama QB Ty Simpson Fires Back at Critics, Blasts False Narrative Surrounding His Draft Stock

Ty Simpson (Image via IMAGO)

In Short
  • Ty Simpson is projected as a high second-round pick in the 2026 NFL draft, with some experts considering him a first-round prospect.
  • Simpson disputes negative evaluations of his skills, asserting he is NFL-ready and performed well at Alabama's Pro Day.
  • Analysts compare Simpson to quarterbacks like Mac Jones and Brock Purdy, with some suggesting he could be drafted as early as third overall by the Arizona Cardinals.

Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson is one of the top quarterbacks in the 2026 NFL draft. Mock drafts project him as a high second-round pick, while some even consider him a first-round prospect. The dilemma stems from scouts’ evaluations, which have also led some experts to doubt Simpson’s NFL-readiness as a quarterback.

Simpson strongly disagreed with the story when he talked to former NFL quarterback Chase Daniel. He thinks he’s as ready as anyone else in the draft. If the 2025 season wasn’t enough to convince the doubters, Simpson showed off his skills at the Crimson Tide’s Pro Day last month.

Posture is how people, you know, view me when they haven’t seen me in person and seen what I could do. Come watch me throw everybody will, you know, reframe that from now on.

Simpson is 6 feet 1 inch tall, but when he’s on the field, he feels like he’s 5 feet 11 inches tall. That being said, he has a very strong right arm and a good release point. With his talents, he threw for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions in 15 games for Bama last year. He took the Tide to the Rose Bowl, where they lost to the Indiana Hoosiers.

NFL.com‘s Lance Zierlein, in his report, noted that Simpson struggles to distribute the ball above linebackers and pass rushers when they apply pressure. However, Simpson claimed that his best comes out when facing elite pass rushers. He told Daniel:

When you have Myles Garrett, TJ Watt, Maxx Crosby coming off the edge, how can you get your base back and your feet in the ground. That’s something that I feel like I do best.

Dan Orlovsky believes that Simpson is the best quarterback in the draft ahead of reigning Heisman Trophy winner and CFP champion, Fernando Mendoza.

Which guy was asked to do more NFL throws? When I say NFL throws, I’m talking [15- to 25-yard] in routes, crossing routes, deep corner or sail routes – [Ty] Simpson, and it’s not even close in that regard.

Orlovsky was met with severe criticism from all corners, who accused him of being biased as he and Simpson are part of the same talent agency. That did not faze the former Pro signal caller at all. He doubled down on his take after Bama’s Pro day.

Ty Simpson receives underwhelming news ahead of the NFL draft

Zierlein and his colleague Chad Reuter compared Simpson to former Patriots and current 49ers quarterback Mac Jones. However, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated believes Simpson’s skill set mirrors that of Jones’ teammate, Brock Purdy, rather than the former first-rounder.

Alabama QB Ty Simpson Fires Back at Critics, Blasts False Narrative Surrounding His Draft Stock
Ty Simpson (Image via IMAGO)

Purdy was the last player selected by the 49ers in 2022. Breer said on The Rich Eisen Show:

The comp I hear for Fernando Mendoza is [Jared] Goff, where the comp I hear for Simpson is [San Francisco 49ers quarterback] Brock Purdy. And then the question becomes, are you comfortable taking somebody with a Brock Purdy profile in the first round? A lot of teams aren’t.

Of course, Purdy is a Pro Bowler and has played in two NFC title games and a Super Bowl. Jones, in the meantime, has bounced around from the Patriots to the Jaguars and is QB2 behind Purdy in San Fran.

Mendoza is likely to be the first player off the board in the draft. Simpson has a strong chance of being the second QB selected. According to league sources, the Arizona Cardinals are the favorites to draft Simpson third overall or might trade back up to select him toward the end of the first round.

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