One of the interesting mysteries of the 2026 NFL Draft is where Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson will get selected. Simpson is the consensus second-rated quarterback, and there are many projections of him being a mid or late first-round pick. However, there are also a lot of teams that need a young starting quarterback, and Simpson has the potential to rise through the interview process. In speaking with sources at a number of teams, they all said that Simpson was a better prospect than Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy coming out of Michigan a couple of years ago. Some said that Simpson is better than Michael Penix, Jaxson Dart, and other quarterbacks who have gone in the top 12.
“I would say Ty is a better prospect than McCarthy, Penix, and Dart,” said an NFC general manager. “Ty lacks height, strength, and durability concerns with the lack of body armor.”
At 6-foot-2, 208 pounds, Simpson lacks ideal size, but he is similar to other recent high first-round picks like former No. 1 overall quarterbacks Bryce Young (5-10, 204), Kyler Murray (5-10, 207), and Baker Mayfield (6-1, 215). While Simpson has a similar size to that trio that went first overall. Team sources are mostly comparing him to McCarthy (10th overall pick), Penix (8th overall), and Jaxon Dart (25th overall).
“He’s better than J.J. McCarthy, and his tape is a lot better than McCarthy’s was,” said an NFC assistant general manager. “There was a 3-4 game period where Ty’s tape was really good. Then other games where he is not high-end. I would say he is not elite, not a future high-level starter. Perhaps he could be in the winning starter category with good pieces around him.”
In 2025, Simpson completed 65 percent of his passes for 3,500 yards with 28 touchdowns, five interceptions, and two rushing touchdowns. He led Alabama into the college football playoff before losing to the eventual National Champion Indiana Hoosiers. Simpson was backing up Jalen Milroe in previous seasons.
“He is much better than McCarthy,” said an AFC director of player personnel. “Ty’s just a little undersized, a one-year starter, and finished the year struggling a little.”
“I think he goes in the mid-first,” said an AFC national scout. “I like him. Great kid, smart, has some good tape. As far as the size, I’ve seen Dante Moore up close, and he’s not big at all. They’re similar. Dante is probably about 6-2, 200.
Moore was viewed as the likely second-rated quarterback prospect before deciding to return to Oregon for the 2026 season.
While there were strong opinions and beliefs that Simpson is a better prospect entering the NFL than McCarthy or Penix, he may not go as high as they did. Every draft is different, with the order, team needs, and other prospects impacting where players come off the board. In my latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft, I have Simpson landing in an ideal situation for him to grow into being a good NFL starter, but not going as high as McCarthy and Penix did.
