Josh Frey’s 2026 NFL Draft Guide: Alabama QB Ty Simpson

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The quarterback class is an interesting one heading into the 2026 NFL Draft.

There’s an easy favorite at the top of the position in likely No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza, and then what seems to be a pretty large gap to the rest of the group.

How big really is that gap though? Alabama QB Ty Simpson is often seen as the second quarterback who will go off the board this April (and he happens to be my QB2 as well), so let’s take a look at his strengths, weaknesses, and where he could land this April.

Background

2026 NFL Draft Guide: Ty Simpson — Alabama’s Ty Simpson (15 celebrates with Isaiah Horton (1) following the College Football Playoff game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Alabama Crimson Tide at the Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Friday Dec. 19, 2025.

Statistics

2022: 4/5 (80%), 35 yards (4 games)
2023: 11/20 (55%), 179 yards (6 games)
2024: 14/25 (56%), 167 yards (6 games)
2025: 305/473 (64.5%), 3567 yards, 28 TDs, 5 INTs (15 games)

Measurables

Height: 6’1″
Weight: 211
Hand Size: 9 3/8″
Arm Length: 30 7/8″
40-Yard Dash: N/A
10-Yard Split: N/A
20-Yard Shuttle: N/A
Vertical: N/A
Broad Jump: N/A
3-Cone: N/A
Bench: N/A

Ty Simpson only has one year of starting experience in college under his belt, which could be seen as a knock against him for some who value experience at the collegiate level at the quarterback position.

That being said, the one year of starting experience brought with it about as much of a learning experience as you can give a quarterback. The offensive line, though highly touted heading into the season, was pretty inconsistent, the wide receiver group wasn’t as good as past Alabama years, and it was still a relatively tough schedule with eight ranked matchups in their 15 games, including matchups against Georgia (twice), Oklahoma (twice), and Indiana.

Strengths

Alabama’s Ty Simpson (15) celebrates following the College Football Playoff game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Alabama Crimson Tide at the Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Friday Dec. 19, 2025.

Ty Simpson’s mental game at the quarterback position is as good as any in this draft class. He recognizes defenses before the snap and is quick to make adjustments to find an open man. Collegiate quarterbacks can get knocked for often being “first read” players, but Simpson does not get that critique from me. He is plenty capable of going through his reads, and that trait will be the leading factor if he finds success at the NFL level.

His mechanics are top-notch as well. It’s a rare occasion where one throw looks different from the next in terms of his footwork, throwing motion, and release. Those crisp mechanics led to him being supremely effective in the short and intermediate parts of the field. It’s an underrated thing at times, but his repeatable mechanics will boost his draft stock as whichever NFL team that drafts him will not have to worry about that step in the development process.

Opposing defenses can’t forget about Simpson’s mobility, either. He’s got a decent amount of athleticism that allows him to pull the ball down and scramble for yards when needed. It showed with 292 rushing yards and a pair of rushing touchdowns this season.

Weaknesses

Jan 1, 2026; Pasadena, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) looks to pass against the Indiana Hoosiers in the first half of the 2026 Rose Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

The weakness that I saw most often when watching Simpson play was his inability to really push the ball downfield. The arm strength is not out of this world, and his accuracy took a nosedive in 2025 on passes of 20 yards or more. He completed 26 of his 62 deep attempts (41.9%), and he threw three of his interceptions in those situations.

Simpson also found himself in situations where he was a bit too indecisive with the football, leading to some unnecessary sacks. With a frame that isn’t exactly the biggest among QBs, this also led to some fumble troubles. He put the ball on the ground seven times this season, though only one of those fumbles came in the final five games, so perhaps it’s an issue he started to resolve over the course of the season.

It’s also hard to overlook how Simpson concluded the year in some of the biggest moments. He completed just 68 of his 119 passes over the final four games for 633 yards, averaging just 5.3 yards per attempt. He had just 67 yards in the Rose Bowl against Indiana’s defense. Those are the types of defenses he will be going up against regularly on Sundays.

2026 NFL Draft Projection

Dec 19, 2025; Norman, OK, USA; Detailed view of the jersey of Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) against the Oklahoma Sooners during the CFP National Playoff First Round at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Draft Projection: Day 2 (Mid Second Round to Early Third Round)
Team Fits: Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers

Simpson would benefit most from going to a team where he can sit for a year or two and learn how the quarterback position is different than in college, particularly with his limited number of collegiate starts. Perhaps the fact that he is a quarterback can push him into the late end of the first round (the Rams at No. 29, for example), but he is a quintessential Day 2 prospect with plenty of potential but things to work on.

Editor’s Note: Statistics from Pro Football Focus helped with this article.

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