Jets Eye Ty Simpson at No. 16: Calculated Gamble or Franchise Cornerstone in Waiting?
The New York Jets are once again at a quarterback crossroads. With the 2027 NFL Draft looming, the franchise finds itself in a familiar position-searching for stability under center in a market that’s anything but forgiving.
And with top prospect Dante Moore heading back to school, the Jets’ options just got a little thinner. Enter Ty Simpson.
Simpson, Alabama’s signal-caller, is starting to generate serious buzz as a potential mid-first-round pick. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has connected the dots between Simpson and the Jets, projecting the team to use the No. 16 pick-acquired from the Colts in the Sauce Gardner trade-to grab the Crimson Tide quarterback.
Kiper’s pitch? Don’t let the surface-level concerns distract from what Simpson brings to the table.
Critics have pointed to his average measurables, limited starting experience (just 15 games), and a noticeable dip in performance late in the season. But Kiper argues that Simpson was more a victim of his environment than the cause of Alabama’s struggles.
And when you dig into the tape, there’s a lot to like.
Simpson’s Strengths: More Than Meets the Eye
Let’s start with what Simpson does well. He’s got an NFL-caliber arm, no question.
His ball placement, particularly between the numbers, is a clear strength. He’s not just accurate-he’s decisive, and that’s a trait that translates at the next level.
Despite operating behind a shaky offensive line and with minimal help from the run game, Simpson consistently found ways to make plays. That ability to create when the structure breaks down is what separates good college QBs from ones who can actually make it in the NFL.
He’s also shown flashes of high-level processing and anticipation, even if the consistency isn’t quite there yet. That’s to be expected from a guy with limited starting reps.
The upside? It’s real.
And in a draft class that thins out fast after the top pick, Simpson might be one of the few quarterbacks with true starter potential.
The Risk Factor: Is He Worth the Roll of the Dice?
Of course, there’s risk. Simpson’s late-season slide has raised eyebrows.
Was he just feasting on weaker competition early on? And how much can you trust a QB with only 15 starts under his belt?
These are fair questions, especially for a Jets franchise that has swung and missed on quarterback evaluations more times than fans care to count.
But here’s the reality: the Jets don’t have the luxury of waiting. The free agent market isn’t exactly brimming with long-term solutions-Marcus Mariota leads a veteran-heavy group that’s more stopgap than savior. And outside of projected No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza, this draft class doesn’t offer many enticing alternatives.
So the Jets are left with a choice: take a swing on a high-upside passer like Simpson now, or risk rolling into 2026 with a patchwork QB room and another year of “what ifs.”
A Franchise-Defining Decision
This isn’t just about Simpson. It’s about where the Jets are as an organization.
Head coach Aaron Glenn and GM Darren Mougey are under pressure to show progress. They need a quarterback who can grow with the team, not just hold the clipboard.
Simpson fits that mold-if they believe in his development curve.
There’s also the looming shadow of the 2028 draft, which is already being hyped as a stronger quarterback class. But Jets fans have heard that before. Last year’s “wait for next year” strategy didn’t pan out, and the QB cupboard ended up so bare that Day 2 picks were hard to come by.
That’s the gamble. If Simpson hits, the Jets could finally have their guy. If he doesn’t, it’s not just another lost season-it could be the end of the line for yet another regime.
Bottom Line
Ty Simpson may not be a sure thing, but in a year where sure things are few and far between, he might be the right kind of risk for a Jets team desperate to find a long-term answer at quarterback. The tools are there.
The flashes are there. Now it’s up to the Jets to decide if they’re ready to bet big on potential.