Ty Simpson Draws Underwhelming Brock Purdy Comparison Ahead of NFL Draft

Multiple teams reportedly see the QB prospect as a lower-ceiling version of the 49ers' late-round find.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 2:56pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a quarterback's throwing motion broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color, conceptually representing the nuanced physical abilities needed to succeed in the NFL.A cubist interpretation of a quarterback's throwing mechanics highlights the complex physical skills required at the professional level.Las Vegas Today

According to NFL insider Albert Breer, multiple teams are not overly excited about quarterback prospect Ty Simpson, with some executives comparing him to San Francisco 49ers QB Brock Purdy - who was the final pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. While Purdy has found success when healthy, the comparison raises questions about Simpson's potential ceiling as a first-round pick.

Why it matters

The quarterback class for the 2026 NFL Draft is considered underwhelming, with Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza projected as the likely top pick. Simpson was viewed as a potential first-round option, but the Purdy comparison suggests teams may be hesitant to select him that high given his physical limitations and limited experience.

The details

Breer revealed on "The Rich Eisen Show" that the "comp" he's heard for Simpson is Brock Purdy, the 49ers' surprise standout who was the final pick in the 2022 draft. While Purdy has played well when healthy, the comparison raises questions about Simpson's upside and whether he's worthy of a first-round selection, given Purdy's status as a late-round find.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April.

The players

Ty Simpson

A quarterback prospect expected to be selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, though some teams reportedly view him as a lower-ceiling version of 49ers QB Brock Purdy.

Fernando Mendoza

The Heisman Trophy winner who is projected to be the top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Brock Purdy

The San Francisco 49ers quarterback who was the final pick in the 2022 NFL Draft but has found success when healthy, leading to comparisons to Ty Simpson.

Albert Breer

An NFL insider who revealed the Brock Purdy comparison for Ty Simpson on "The Rich Eisen Show".

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What they’re saying

“The comp I hear for Fernando Mendoza is [Jared] Goff, where the comp I hear for Simpson is [San Francisco 49ers quarterback] Brock Purdy. And then the question becomes, are you comfortable taking somebody with a Brock Purdy profile in the first round? A lot of teams aren't.”

— Albert Breer, NFL Insider

What’s next

The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in April, where teams will have to decide whether to select Ty Simpson in the first round despite the underwhelming Brock Purdy comparison.

The takeaway

The quarterback class for the 2026 NFL Draft is considered weak, with Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza projected as the likely top pick. The comparison of prospect Ty Simpson to late-round find Brock Purdy raises questions about Simpson's potential ceiling and whether he's worthy of a first-round selection, potentially impacting his draft stock.