Adam Schefter projected Ty Simpson to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Schefter, while appearing on the Pat McAfee Show on Monday, was confronted with the question of Simpson’s destination in the draft.
The seasoned analyst explained that draft projection is a tricky business, and nothing is set in stone until the night of the draft. He raised Shedeur Sanders’ slide to the fifth round in last year’s draft after most analysts projected him to go in the first round. Nevertheless, he said he felt confident that Simpson is destined to be a first-round pick.
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“The one thing I can say confidently right now in talking to front offices is I believe, and it’s not going out on a limb, Ty Simpson will be a first-round draft pick. A first-round draft pick. That’s all I’m comfortable saying right now. We will revisit this topic many times as the draft marches closer.”
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Schefter’s prediction drew reactions from fans on the internet, particularly on X. Fox wrote:
“Nobody with a brain is believing this and dumb Orlovsky. We know the agenda.”
IIK_LEGEND7 commented:
“Terrible take, bro. Simpson, one of the very few QBs at Alabama that didn’t win.”
Brandon Taylor countered Schefter’s submission.
“No, he won’t. That’s a media spin. He’ll be a second-round pick.”
Kelby Schultz wrote:
“The media every year props up a joke of a QB because he’s ‘athletic.'”
Rich Radich posted:
“Same guy that said Anthony Richardson would be a great QB for the Colts.”
Mr. Cat commented:
“They are working overtime to have Simpson on the radar HAHAHAHAHA. It’s pathetic at this point.”
Who else is rooting for Ty Simpson?
Schefter is not the only analyst pushing Simpson as a potential first-round pick. Former Lions quarterback Dan Orlovsky is also on that train. He takes it a notch further, projecting Simpson as the first quarterback pick ahead of Fernando Mendoza.
“I think Ty Simpson is QB1,” Orlovsky declared. “I think Ty Simpson is the best quarterback in this class. … When you look at the body of work and what was asked of these two quarterbacks… It’s Ty Simpson, and it’s not close between those two quarterbacks.”
After redshirting his freshman season and playing backup for two subsequent seasons, Simpson was named starting quarterback for the Tide ahead of the 2025 season. However, with the team falling just short of the SEC title and crashing out of the national championship race, his draft stock suffered a slump.
Edited by Kayode Akinwumi
