In the lead-up to the 2026 NFL Draft, the buzz around Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson is palpable. The debate?
Whether he stands shoulder to shoulder with Indiana's Fernando Mendoza as the top quarterback prospect. However, Simpson's unique physical profile has stirred up discussions about his viability as a first-round pick.
At the NFL Combine, Simpson came in at 6-foot-1 and 211 pounds. While his height is set in stone, there's been chatter about his actual playing weight being less than what was recorded in Indianapolis. During his redshirt junior year at Alabama, he was listed at 208 pounds.
This week, ESPN's Mina Kimes, alongside Dan Orlovsky-an advocate for Simpson as QB1-brought Yahoo Sports’ Nate Tice and The Ringer’s Danny Kelly onto her podcast. The discussion centered on Simpson's standing in the 2026 draft class. Kimes and Tice highlighted how Simpson's size makes him an anomaly in the NFL, a factor that could raise eyebrows for teams considering him.
Ty Simpson's Size: An Outlier in the NFL
Kimes noted a roster of NFL quarterbacks under 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds since 2000 who have started more than 16 games. The list features Drew Brees, Russell Wilson, Michael Vick, Kyler Murray, Doug Flutie, and Bryce Young.
Tice added another layer, listing quarterbacks since 2002 weighing under 205 pounds who have surpassed 5,000 career passing yards. This list includes Kirk Cousins, Lamar Jackson, Jeff Garcia, Aaron Brooks, and Bryce Young, with only Jackson and Young being first-round picks.
The takeaway here isn't that Simpson can't succeed due to his size, but that he would be a significant outlier if he does. Historically, such outliers were either exceptional athletes or picked in later rounds due to perceived risks.
Simpson is often compared to Brock Purdy, who, despite weighing over 225 pounds, was the last pick in the 2022 draft. Teams hesitated to draft Purdy early, a decision that proved costly, largely because players of his stature and skill set rarely thrive in the NFL.
Beyond his physical stature, Simpson has just one year of starting experience, marred by injuries. Concerns about his size extend beyond his ability to throw; they question his durability against NFL defenses over a grueling 17-game season, or even a 21-game stretch if leading a team to the Super Bowl.
Despite these concerns, Simpson's fearlessness over the middle is a standout trait. He's willing to stay in the pocket and make those high-risk throws necessary for big plays. But in the NFL, this often means absorbing hits from formidable pass rushers.
Athletically, Simpson is solid but not elite by NFL standards. Gaining weight could compromise his agility, confining him more to the pocket, where his height becomes a disadvantage. It's a classic Catch-22, explaining why teams might hesitate to draft him in the first round.
So, perhaps the real question isn't if Simpson is QB1, but if he should be in Round 1 at all.