On Wednesday, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson has declared for the 2026 NFL draft.
For a quarterback-needy team like the New York Jets, it is always good to see more quarterbacks declare, as it opens up more options in a class that is considered “thin” under center.
As for Simpson, many fans and pundits are split. During his first full season as a starter at the NCAA level, he showed flashes of brilliance but struggled with consistency.
However, given how “thin” the QB class is, as I noted above, there is a real possibility that he can be a first-round pick. Moreover, a case can be made that the three quarterbacks are much closer than the general consensus would have fans believe.
The Jets own two first-round selections in this year’s draft, at No. 2 and 16 overall, while desperately needing a franchise quarterback. Therefore, the savvy question of the moment is as follows: Is Ty Simpson a genuine option for the New York Jets?
Is Simpson a legitimate Jets’ option?
At 6-foot-2 and 204 pounds, Simpson doesn’t fit the mold of the modern “wow” quarterback prospect. He isn’t overpowering defenses with arm strength, and he isn’t a constant off-script creator.
However, he is confident when playing within a structure and has flashed plenty of promise this season in Tuscaloosa. Consistency has been the issue.
A former five-star recruit, Simpson waited his turn before finally taking over as Alabama’s starter this season. In 15 games, he completed 64.5% of his passes for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns, and just five interceptions, leading the Crimson Tide to an 11-4 record.
In the College Football Playoff, Simpson helped lead a 17-point comeback win over Oklahoma. However, he fell short in the quarterfinal loss to Indiana, where he struggled to generate momentum and protect the ball before eventually being forced out due to injury.
From a traits standpoint, Simpson wins with processing and feel. He has a natural internal clock, navigates the pocket well, and can move when needed, using functional athleticism to extend plays.
The questions pertain to physical traits such as overall arm strength, a highly coveted trait among NFL talent evaluators.
Combined with just one full season as a starter, some believe Simpson isn’t as NFL-ready as Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, who has three years of starting experience under his belt.
Is Simpson the QB1?
However, Simpson is definitely in play as an option for the Jets. While he doesn’t have the most appealing physical traits, Jets X-Factor’s Joe Blewett, who dug extensively into Simpson’s All-22 film, currently has him ranked as the draft’s quarterback No. 1.
While Mendoza has not officially declared for the draft, he is widely expected to do so. Oregon’s Dante Moore, however, remains the true wild card in this quarterback picture.
The Las Vegas Raiders are the only team selecting ahead of the Jets at No. 1 overall, and like Gang Green, they are widely projected to target a quarterback. If Las Vegas takes Mendoza and Moore elects to return to school, Simpson could realistically emerge as the lone quarterback option for New York on night one.
If Moore does declare alongside Mendoza, the board looks very different.
In that scenario, the Jets would have flexibility, potentially taking the best player available at No. 2 overall and hoping Simpson slides to their second first-round pick at No. 16. If he doesn’t, New York could explore trading back up into the middle of the round to secure him.
Even if this ultimately becomes a three-quarterback class with Fernando Mendoza, Dante Moore, and Ty Simpson, the Alabama product would still remain very much in play for the Jets.
Despite the perception among some New York Jets fans, targeting Ty Simpson in a shrewd way on NFL draft night would not be the end of the world.
