Alabama QB Ty Simpson Earns NFL Developmental Grade

Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson was recruited by the Crimson Tide’s legendary former coach, Nick Saban. He also spent one season behind 2023 NFL Draft first-round pick quarterback Bryce Young and two seasons behind 2025 NFL Draft third-round pick quarterback Jalen Milroe.

Simpson couldn’t ask for a much better situation.

What grade did he earn in his previous snaps when he was the backup in 2022, 2023, and 2024?

Third-round.

How did he look as an NFL projection in his first full-time season as a starter in 2025?

Decent.

I was hopeful he would make the leap based on the incremental progress he had shown, but he failed to do so. It didn’t help him that he didn’t look that hot down the stretch against Auburn, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Indiana, when the lights were the brightest.

Simpson is not accurate enough

Main issues?

• Unsettled feet in the pocket
• Tends to hold onto the ball too long (2025: 2.95 seconds per Pro Football Focus)
• Likes to drive the ball and lift his right back foot when he throws (which can cause the ball to sail high or be overthrown)
• Delivers the ball with below-average to average anticipation

His placement was so-so. When he misses, he really misses.

Ball security issues

Simpson tends to put the ball in harm’s way in the air. In addition to the five interceptions, Simpson threw another 32 passes that were broken up by defenders in 15 games this season (2.13 per game average).

Yikes.

Worse yet, there were several times he just threw it up for grabs when he was under too much pressure. That’s my biggest concern about him.

When is Simpson at his best as a passer?

• Off-platform (off-balance throws)
• Out of structure (when a play breaks down from its original design)
• Rolling out to his left or his right (either by design or when he’s under pressure)

While he showed some improvement this season by getting to his second read on a more regular basis, I’m not a huge fan of his work from the pocket.

What are his best throwing ranges?

Short range (0-9 yards) and deep (20+ air yards). I charted Simpson 20/46 deep (43.8%).

Can Simpson run?

Yes.

Simpson can pick up nice chunks of yardage here and there.

He doesn’t like to slide and run out of bounds. He absorbs a lot of contact. That’s what got him knocked out of the Rose Bowl.

Encouraging signs

• Flashed the ability to speed up his process
• His pre-snap communication was complimented by television announcers twice during the games

He has some of the right stuff; he just needs to put it all together.

Consistently.

#15 Ty Simpson 6-foot-2, 208 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Final 2026 NFL Draft Grade: Third-Round (I would select him)

ALERT: High Injury Risk

Suffered a cracked rib vs. Indiana

Projected by NFL Mock Draft Database to be a First Round prospect as of January 3, 2026

2025 game film evaluated: FSU, UL-Monroe, Wisconsin, Georgia, Vanderbilt, Missouri, Tennessee, South Carolina, LSU, Oklahoma, Eastern Illinois, Auburn, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Indiana (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

Ty Simpson Progressed on his 2022, 2023, and 2024 Game Film (2022: 3 games evaluated, 2023: 6 games evaluated, and 2024: 6 games evaluated)

Tennessee Martin head coach Jason Simpson is his dad

No. 129 rushing attack

2025:305/473 (64.5%), 3,567 yards, 28 TD, 5 INT (90 carries)

2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Ball control pace. Clapping cadence. Primarily Shotgun formation. Poised. Fancy ball handling. Stands tall in the pocket. Flexible. Downfield focused to a fault. Below-average feel for frontside or backside pressure. Some improv. One to two read thrower. Decent arm strength. Got to his third read 11x and his fourth read 3x. Some RPO. Works the whole field at all three route levels. Overthought it from the pocket. Tends to hard-lock with targets when utilizing all of his throwing mechanics. Too much upper body on some throws. Doesn’t move or manipulate defenders with his eyes. Subject to batted passes at the line of scrimmage. Athletic and tough runner. Can get fired up. Football is important to him.

Final words

Simpson projects to be a backup and possible spot starter in the NFL.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. Featured in USA Today. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.