TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The 2026 NFL draft conversation feels like a one-man party right now. Indiana Hoosiers quarterback and reigning Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza holds the absolute lock on the number one overall pick. Everyone else is fighting for scraps. But look past Mendoza’s shadow, and you find the most polarizing prospect in this class: Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson.
The Processing Power of Ty Simpson
Most mock drafts bury Simpson in the late first or early second round. NFL front offices whisper about his spotty deep-ball accuracy and rocky finish to the 2025 season. Simpson brings a massive question mark to his upcoming Pro Day: his arm talent. Critics point to his struggles hitting receivers in stride downfield. But ESPN’s Louis Riddick sees a different picture. Riddick argues Simpson will use his Pro Day to prove his arm carries more zip than evaluators currently believe.
Beyond the raw physical tools, Simpson masters the mental game. He spent years waiting behind Bryce Young and Jalen Milroe. That kind of patience builds a unique mental toughness. During his lone season as the starter, Simpson threw for 3,567 yards and 28 touchdowns while leading the Crimson Tide to the College Football Playoff. Even when his long ball fluttered, he stayed completely calm in the pocket. He read complex SEC defenses instantly and got the ball out fast.
Watching Simpson at the Combine last month, you could almost feel the tension in the air when the crowd held its breath during his deep passing drills. The chilly wind sweeping across the practice fields didn’t deter front office executives, who turned the sidelines into a sea of team-branded quarter-zips, all holding stopwatches and notepads. They all wanted to see if the tape matched the live arm.
“People talk about the deep ball, but Ty sees the field before the snap even happens. He knows where the blitzer is coming from and exactly where his hot read is. You can’t teach that kind of calm.”
— Louis Riddick, ESPN Analyst
Draft Implications / What’s Next
In today’s NFL, elite processing often beats raw arm strength. Coaches want quarterbacks who can dissect a defense pre-snap and avoid catastrophic mistakes. Simpson fits that mold perfectly. He only brings 15 career college starts to the table, but those starts came against the heaviest hitters in college football. The debate is already raging on national television, with analysts like Dan Orlovsky boldly claiming Simpson is actually the best quarterback in the entire draft over Mendoza.
A flawless Pro Day script could erase the lingering doubts about his physical ceiling. Quarterback-needy teams sitting in the middle of the first round are watching closely. If Simpson connects on his deep shots and displays improved footwork, he transforms from a Day 2 flyer into a premium first-round investment.
