TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — There was very little Ty Simpson could have done Wednesday to change the landscape of this quarterback draft class.
Simpson had a solid throwing session in front of all 32 NFL teams during Alabama’s pro day at the Hank Crisp Indoor Facility, as he continued to solidify himself as the class’s second-best QB a month before the draft. Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza is a virtual lock to go No. 1 to the Las Vegas Raiders, but executives and coaches are still guessing where Simpson will be selected. Maybe the middle of the first round. Maybe late in the second.
“I know I’m ready,” Simpson said. “Wherever I go, whether I have to sit or play, just know I’m going to give it my all.”
Simpson threw 16 warmup tosses Wednesday afternoon before completing 50 of 55 attempts, two of them dropped, while showcasing his footwork, accuracy and leadership style. About a quarter of his throws were deep balls, clearly an emphasis as he scripted the workout with throwing coach David Morris. Like any pro day workout, Simpson threw to one receiver at a time, and there were no defenders in coverage.
Simpson was pleased with the half-hour session, and feedback from those in attendance was generally encouraging. A New York Jets staffer walked by Simpson on the way out to tell him “good job.”
“This was something that was fun, being able to show off my arm, show off my feet,” Simpson said. “It’s something I wanted to do. That was something I emphasized with David: Let’s go show out and have the best pro day ever, and I felt like I really did.”
Simpson’s targets included Alabama wideout Ryan Williams, a projected first-rounder in 2027, and Germie Bernard, who is viewed as a likely second-day pick in this class. Morris, who snapped the ball for each play, frequently chased Simpson to simulate pressure and force off-platform throws.
Simpson completed 23 of his first 24 passes, though most were short to intermediate routes to get into a rhythm. His miss was an overthrown deep ball, but Simpson made up for it with the final throw of his second period.
Simpson looked left to Williams — wearing a Kobe Bryant Grinch cleat on his right foot and the Reverse Grinch cleat on his left — and smiled before saying, “Let’s see if you can run.” Simpson then lofted a deep ball that grazed off the netting from the domed roof and landed perfectly in Williams’ hands for a long connection.
Simpson incorporated more footwork into his next round of throws, using play-action drop-backs and also maneuvering around the pocket during longer-developing routes. He also attempted a few passes off his back foot or tilting as Morris harassed him.
Williams, who had both of the drops, misplayed a perfectly placed long ball at the doorstep of the goal line midway through the third period. But as Williams jogged back, Simpson hollered, “That’s on me.” Three plays later, Simpson asked to run the play again, and Williams earned his redemption.
Teams absolutely love Simpson’s intangible qualities. He processes the game at an extremely high level, wins before the snap, makes good decisions and has been a well-respected leader. His work ethic and mental acumen are already such a strength that people believe Simpson could coach after his playing career.
Early last season, NFL evaluators agreed Simpson was playing the best among the draft-eligible quarterbacks. But his play tapered off in the second half of the year as he battled a back injury and elbow bursitis, and teams are concerned about the 6-foot-1, 211-pounder’s durability.
Simpson also only has one year of starting experience, so it’s widely believed it will be in his best interest to begin his career as a backup — and not just for the opening stretch of games. His development requires patience. Simpson needs a longer runway to adjust to the speed of the NFL, and teams are well-versed on the long history of one-year college starters who failed at the next level.
Most evaluators agree Brock Purdy is the closest comparison to Simpson’s playing style, though Bo Nix has also come up. Simpson can be a valuable distributor who can grow into a successful starter in a good organization, by all accounts. He could be tremendous in a Sean McVay or Kyle Shanahan West Coast offense because of his processing, footwork and decision-making.
Many teams have a second-round grade on Simpson, though more skeptical evaluators see him as a third-rounder. Still, most predict Simpson will be selected in the first round. However, no one will guarantee it — one month out from the draft, QB2’s landing spot remains one of the spring’s most prominent mysteries.
