Alabama QB Ty Simpson Expected to Be Drafted in Top 16

The former Crimson Tide signal-caller has seen his draft stock rise significantly in recent months.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 8:41pm

A fractured, geometric painting depicting a quarterback's throwing motion in overlapping planes of crimson, navy, and gold, conveying the dynamic potential of Ty Simpson's NFL Draft prospects.A cubist interpretation of a quarterback's throwing motion captures the dynamic energy and potential of Ty Simpson's NFL Draft prospects.Indianapolis Today

Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson is expected to be selected in the top 16 picks of the upcoming NFL Draft. Simpson, who was previously considered to have an ambiguous draft profile, has steadily climbed up draft boards over the past three months after a strong showing at the NFL Combine. He is now viewed as the clear No. 2 QB in the class behind only Indiana's Fernando Mendoza, with the New York Jets at picks No. 2 and No. 16 considered the frontrunners to potentially select him.

Why it matters

Simpson's meteoric rise demonstrates the volatility of the quarterback position in the NFL Draft, where prospects with previously uncertain stock can sometimes surge up draft boards late in the process. The opportunity to land a top-tier QB prospect outside the top 10 picks is a rare occurrence, and the Jets appear poised to potentially capitalize on that if Simpson is available at No. 16.

The details

After entering the draft process with a murky profile, Simpson has had private workouts with numerous teams and significantly improved his standing. He is now widely viewed as the second-best QB in the class behind only Mendoza. The Jets, who hold picks No. 2 and No. 16, are considered the frontrunners to potentially select Simpson, with the 16th overall pick seen as his likely floor on draft day.

  • The 2023 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 23.
  • Simpson had a strong showing at the NFL Combine in February.

The players

Ty Simpson

The former Alabama quarterback is expected to be selected in the top 16 picks of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Fernando Mendoza

The quarterback from Indiana is considered the top QB prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft class.

New York Jets

The Jets hold picks No. 2 and No. 16 in the 2023 NFL Draft and are seen as the frontrunners to potentially select Ty Simpson.

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What they’re saying

“The fact of the matter is that the opportunity to take the second-best QB in a class outside of the top-10 does not come along very often. Yes, this is not the strongest quarterback class, and yes, Simpson has flaws as a prospect, but he is good enough.”

— Theodore Fernandez, BamaCentral writer

What’s next

The 2023 NFL Draft will take place on April 23, where Ty Simpson's draft position will be determined.

The takeaway

Ty Simpson's rapid rise up draft boards highlights the unpredictable nature of quarterback prospects in the NFL Draft. While he may not be the most polished prospect, his potential has made him a coveted target, with the Jets potentially poised to capitalize if he's available at pick No. 16.