Why Ty Simpson is the most polarizing player in the 2026 NFL Draft

With the 2026 NFL Draft fast approaching, there’s one prospect teams simply can’t agree on. He’s not a late-round sleeper. He’s a quarterback widely expected to hear his name called early. But just how early remains one of the biggest mysteries of this year’s class.

Ty Simpson has become the most polarizing player in the draft, with opinions across the league ranging from first-round talent to a Day 2 project.

A draft stock with no clear consensus

Just weeks ago, Simpson was widely projected as a potential first-round pick, somewhere in the middle to back half of Round 1. Now, that projection is far less of a sure thing.

Recent reporting from ESPN insiders and league sources suggests that multiple teams in need of a quarterback do not carry a first-round grade on Simpson. Even more telling, evaluators have struggled to identify a clear landing spot for him on Day 1.

Teams like the Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, and Pittsburgh Steelers, who are all logical fits on paper, are not currently viewed as strong candidates to select him early. That leaves Simpson in a rare position for a top quarterback prospect, a player with first-round buzz… but no obvious team ready to pull the trigger.

Teams’ biggest concern from Simpson: experience

The primary factor driving teams’ uncertainty is Simpson’s experience. Unlike many recent quarterback prospects who entered the draft with multiple years of starting experience, Simpson has just one full season as a starter at Alabama.

He showed flashes of high-level play early in the 2025 season, demonstrating the ability to make NFL-caliber throws across the field. But his performance dipped late in the year, raising questions about consistency and long-term readiness. For some teams, that limited sample size is a red flag. For others, it’s simply part of the evaluation.

Simpson’s profile perfectly captures one of the NFL Draft’s oldest debates: Do you draft based on qualities or proven production?

Supporters of Simpson point to his arm talent and ability to make “NFL throws”, his experience in a pro-style system at Alabama, and developmental upside in the right environment.

Critics, however, counter with his limited starting experience, inconsistent late-season tape, and questions about his immediate readiness.

A real chance to fall out of Round 1

The most recent momentum suggests Simpson’s floor may be lower than initially expected. While it only takes one team to draft a quarterback early, there is growing belief around the league that Simpson could still be available when Round 2 begins.

Even potential trade-up scenarios into the back of the first round, often used for quarterbacks, have reportedly been met with skepticism by some evaluators. So Simpson could go anywhere from late in Round 1 to early in Round 2 selection, or simply as a developmental backup role to start off his NFL career.

What happens on draft night?

Simpson’s draft outcome may ultimately come down to timing. If a team falls in love with his upside, he could still sneak into the first round, especially given the premium placed on quarterbacks.

But if those teams pass early, the slide could be real. Franchises like the Los Angeles Rams or Philadelphia Eagles, organizations with established starters, could emerge as more logical landing spots for a long-term developmental plan.

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