Ty Simpson 2026 NFL Draft Tracker: Live Updates on Alabama Crimson Tide QB’s Stock

The 2026 NFL Draft is shaping up to be a fascinating chess match, and at the center of the board is Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson. While the No. 1 overall pick is already locked in with Fernando Mendoza heading to the Las Vegas Raiders, the rest of the quarterback class is a volatile, high-stakes game of speculation. For teams desperate for a franchise signal-caller, Simpson represents both a tantalizing ceiling and a significant risk. This live tracker will provide real-time updates, expert analysis, and a deep dive into the roller-coaster journey of the Crimson Tide’s one-year starter as he navigates the pre-draft process.

Originally appearing on The Sporting News, this tracker is your go-to source for following Simpson’s stock, his medical evaluations, and the whispers from NFL war rooms. If you want to stay ahead of the curve, add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Let’s break down the biggest questions surrounding Simpson as we approach draft weekend.

Ty Simpson’s 2025 Season: A Tale of Highs and Broken Ribs

To understand where Simpson stands today, you have to rewind to his 2025 campaign. In his first and only season as Alabama’s full-time starter, Simpson led the Crimson Tide to a College Football Playoff appearance. The numbers on the surface are impressive: 3,567 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and just five interceptions. He showcased elite arm talent, mobility, and the kind of clutch gene that Alabama quarterbacks are known for.

However, the tape tells a more complicated story. Inconsistency plagued Simpson throughout the year. He would string together three or four jaw-dropping throws, threading needles into tight windows, only to follow up with a bafflingly off-target pass or a poor decision under pressure. This erratic play has left NFL scouts divided. Some see a raw but moldable talent with Pro Bowl upside. Others view him as a Day 2 developmental project who needs significant coaching before he can be trusted as a starter.

The most critical factor in Simpson’s draft evaluation, however, is his health. Following the Crimson Tide’s postseason Rose Bowl matchup against Indiana, Simpson was diagnosed with broken ribs. This injury not only limited his ability to participate in early Senior Bowl practices but also raised red flags for medical staffs across the league. Teams are now asking: Is this a one-time fluke, or is Simpson prone to the kind of physical punishment that could shorten his career?

Live Draft Stock Tracker: Where Does Ty Simpson Land?

As we track Simpson’s movement up and down draft boards, here is the latest consensus from league insiders and draft analysts. The situation remains fluid, with several key variables in play.

Current Projection: Late Round 1 to Early Round 2 (Day 2)

• Best-Case Scenario: A team like the New Orleans Saints or Seattle Seahawks trades back into the late first round to secure a fifth-year option on Simpson. This would require a team to fall in love with his intangibles and overlook the inconsistent tape.
• Most Likely Scenario: Simpson is selected in the second round, becoming the second quarterback off the board after Mendoza. This would place him in a situation where he can sit for a year and develop behind a veteran starter.
• Worst-Case Scenario: If teams grow cold on his medicals or if a run on other positions pushes quarterbacks down, Simpson could slide to the third round. This would be a massive financial hit but could land him on a team with a stable infrastructure, like the Los Angeles Rams or Miami Dolphins.

Key Factor: The 2026 draft class is deep in defensive talent and offensive linemen. If a run on those positions occurs in the first 25 picks, Simpson could be the only quarterback taken on Day 1 after Mendoza. If that happens, it will mark only the third time in the last 20 years that just one QB goes in the first round. The last such occurrence was in 2022, when Kenny Pickett was the lone first-round signal-caller.

Expert Analysis: The Case For and Against Simpson

To provide you with a balanced perspective, we’ve broken down the arguments from NFL evaluators who have studied Simpson’s film extensively. The debate is real, and it will likely come down to a team’s philosophical approach to quarterback development.

The Case FOR Ty Simpson:

• Arm Talent: Simpson possesses a live, powerful arm capable of making every NFL throw. His deep ball accuracy on go-routes and post patterns is consistently NFL-caliber.
• Mobility: He is a dual-threat quarterback who can extend plays and pick up critical first downs with his legs. His 28 touchdowns included several designed runs and scrambles that showcased his athleticism.
• Leadership: Teammates and coaches rave about his intangibles. He is described as a “film room junkie” with a relentless work ethic. For a developmental prospect, this is a non-negotiable trait.
• Low Turnover Rate: Despite his inconsistent accuracy, Simpson threw only five interceptions in over 500 attempts. This suggests he has good decision-making instincts when he is not forcing the ball into traffic.

The Case AGAINST Ty Simpson:

• Inconsistent Mechanics: His footwork breaks down under pressure, leading to passes that sail high or skip short. This is a fixable flaw, but it requires time and patience from an NFL coaching staff.
• Only One Year of Starting Experience: Simpson spent three years backing up Bryce Young and Jalen Milroe. He has just 13 college starts on his resume. That is a thin foundation for a team expecting him to compete for a starting job in Year 1.
• Injury History: The broken ribs are a concern, but more troubling is the pattern of hits he took in 2025. He held onto the ball too long at times, absorbing unnecessary punishment. NFL defenses will exploit that hesitation.
• System Questions: Alabama’s offense under Tommy Rees featured a lot of RPOs and quick-game concepts. Some scouts wonder if Simpson can process a complex NFL playbook that requires full-field reads and pre-snap adjustments.

Live Broadcast Updates: What to Watch For During the Draft

As the draft broadcast unfolds, here are the key moments and narratives you should track regarding Ty Simpson’s fate. The NFL Draft live broadcast will be buzzing with speculation, and the following factors will determine whether Simpson goes on Day 1 or slides into Day 2.

1. The Medical Re-Check: Keep an ear out for any reports from Dr. James Andrews or team physicians regarding Simpson’s rib injury. If a team leaks that his X-rays are clean and he has fully healed, his stock could surge. If whispers of “chronic instability” emerge, he could fall hard.

2. The Trade Market: Watch for teams like the Minnesota Vikings or Arizona Cardinals moving up from the second round into the late first. If a team trades up specifically for a quarterback, it will almost certainly be Simpson. If no trades happen, it signals that teams are comfortable waiting for him at the top of Round 2.

3. The “Mendoza Effect”: With Mendoza locked in at No. 1, the spotlight will be on Simpson as the second quarterback in the class. If he is not selected by pick 32, the broadcast will immediately pivot to the “quarterback drought” narrative. Analysts will debate whether teams are overthinking Simpson’s flaws or if the league simply values other positions more this year.

4. The Social Media Reaction: Pay attention to Simpson’s own social media accounts. If he posts a cryptic message or a picture of himself with a team’s hat, it’s a strong indicator that a deal is done. Conversely, silence often means he is still waiting for the phone to ring.

Predictions: Where Will Ty Simpson End Up?

Based on the current landscape, we are predicting that Ty Simpson goes to the New Orleans Saints with the 40th overall pick in the second round. Here is why this makes sense for both sides:

• For the Saints: New Orleans has an aging Derek Carr and a need for a long-term successor. Head coach Kellen Moore is a quarterback whisperer who can develop Simpson’s mechanics. The Saints also have a strong offensive line and a solid running game, which would take pressure off Simpson early in his career.
• For Simpson: He would not be forced to start immediately. He could sit for a year, learn from Carr, and absorb Moore’s system. This is the ideal scenario for a Day 2 developmental quarterback with his skill set.

Dark Horse Candidate: Seattle Seahawks (Round 2, Pick 50). If Simpson falls past the Saints, Seattle is a prime landing spot. Geno Smith is entering the final year of his contract, and new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb has a history of maximizing mobile quarterbacks. Simpson’s arm talent would be a perfect fit for Seattle’s vertical passing attack.

Conclusion: The Verdict on Ty Simpson’s NFL Future

Ty Simpson’s journey from Alabama’s one-year starter to the 2026 NFL Draft is a classic case of high risk, high reward. He is not a finished product, and the broken ribs from the Rose Bowl have only added to the uncertainty. But for a team willing to invest in his development, the payoff could be enormous. He has the arm, the legs, and the mindset to become a top-15 NFL quarterback within three years.

As the draft unfolds, keep this tracker bookmarked for live updates. Whether he hears his name called on Thursday night or Friday afternoon, one thing is certain: Ty Simpson will be a story that defines this draft class. For the most accurate, up-to-the-minute analysis, remember that this article originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here to never miss a beat on the 2026 NFL Draft.

The countdown is on. The phone is about to ring. And for Ty Simpson, the real game is just beginning.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.