NFL Executives Torn Over Ty Simpson's NFL Potential

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza knows he's going to be selected somewhere in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft, most likely No. 1 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Alabama's Ty Simpson, however, is another story.

Considered the second-best QB in the 2026 draft, Simpson has scouts and analysts divided on where exactly he will be picked - some say mid-to-late Round 1, while others say early Round 2.

In most mock drafts, Simpson goes as high as 16th overall to the New York Jets, and sometimes in the early 30s to a team who trades back into Round 1 to grab him before he's likely selected early in Round 2 - which is exactly what one anonymous NFL quarterbacks coach told Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports he thinks will happen.

"In a typical year I think you could get him in the second," the coach stated. "But this year I think if you want him you better be willing to take him in the late first or he could be gone."

Some scouts and talent evaluators believe Simpson is better than what he's being given credit for. His production wasn't what Mendoza's was, but some believe the drop-off from Mendoza to Simpson isn't as big as some are making out to be.

"Mendoza is a better pro, but Mendoza going at 1 and Simpson at 35, is the gap that big? No," another NFL personnel executive stated. "The dude is very competitive. Shows up in big moments. Smart. Has enough physical talent. He can move a little bit, throw, can make some plays. But he’s not dynamic. He just has enough of everything."

Another NFL QB coach added: "I think Ty is really good. Sneaky good arm. Good in the pocket, good mechanically. There is a lot of evidence of him doing NFL type stuff, going through progressions, resetting the pocket."

While Simpson may ultimately sneak into the first round - teams like the Jets, Arizona Cardinals, and Pittsburgh Steelers have been consistently linked to him recently - some are skeptical he belongs there given Mendoza is in a QB tier unto himself.

"From what I’ve watched of the QBs, I could see Ty is close to Fernando if you’re focusing on the first half of the season and one guy’s only positive stuff," an anonymous NFC personnel staffer said. "But from the full-picture film, I don’t know how you could say they’re close."

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This story was originally published April 17, 2026 at 10:07 PM.