Mel Kiper Jr. sees a rising star. Ty Simpson's quiet resilience and clutch play position him as the 2026 NFL Draft's unexpected, game-changing steal.
For years, Alabama quarterbacks have carried enormous expectations into the NFL Draft.
Some arrive with hype.
Some with doubt.
And every now and then, one slips into that dangerous category for the rest of the league: underrated.
According to longtime draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr., Alabama’s Ty Simpson may be exactly that.
During a recent episode of ESPN’s First Draft, Kiper identified Simpson as one of the biggest potential steals in the 2026 NFL Draft. Not just a solid pick.
Not just a developmental prospect.
A steal.
That says a lot.
Kiper currently has Simpson ranked in the mid-20s overall on his big board and near the top of the quarterback class behind presumed No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza. For a player who only started one full season at Alabama, that placement reflects serious respect from evaluators who study every throw, every decision, and every pressure moment.
And pressure is something Simpson knows well.
Taking over as Alabama’s starter in 2025 meant stepping into one of the most scrutinized roles in sports.
Yet Simpson delivered a steady, efficient season, completing 64.5 percent of his passes for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns, and just five interceptions. He added a pair of rushing scores as well, showing mobility that often gets overlooked when discussing his game.
Kiper praised Simpson’s competitiveness, toughness, and ability to deliver in clutch situations, traits that don’t always show up in highlight reels but win games on Sundays.
He also noted Simpson’s anticipation as a passer and his ability to extend drives with his legs, particularly on third down.
Are there areas to improve?
Of course.
Evaluators point to occasional inconsistencies and the fact that Simpson doesn’t possess eye-popping “elite” physical traits. But history has shown that quarterback success in the NFL isn’t built on arm strength alone. Decision-making, poise, leadership, and resilience matter just as much, and Simpson checks those boxes in a big way.
Some analysts have even compared his style to former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, a player who carved out a stellar career through instincts, creativity, and toughness rather than overwhelming measurables.
Potential landing spots mentioned include quarterback-needy franchises picking in the middle to late first round teams that might view Simpson as a plug-and-play competitor rather than a long-term project.
And that’s where this gets interesting.
Because if Simpson truly is the second quarterback off the board, whichever team selects him could be getting far more than draft position suggests. They’ll be getting a battle-tested leader who stayed loyal to Alabama, developed patiently, and delivered when his opportunity finally came.
Sometimes the loudest prospects aren’t the ones who end up having the longest careers.
Sometimes it’s the tough, smart, unshakeable competitors.
Ty Simpson fits that description perfectly, and if the draft unfolds the way Kiper suggests, one NFL franchise may walk away with the steal of the entire 2026 class.