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Mel Kiper Jr. Calls Alabama’s Ty Simpson a Draft Steal, Projects Late First-Round Fit

He enters the process as B/R’s QB2 despite concerns about limited starts.

Overview

  • On ESPN’s First Draft, Kiper labeled Simpson a potential steal and placed him 25th on his latest big board.
  • Kiper floated possible landing spots at No. 16 to the Jets, No. 21 to the Steelers and No. 29 to the Rams.
  • Bleacher Report’s scouting board slots Simpson 28th overall and second among quarterbacks behind Fernando Mendoza.
  • Simpson started one season at Alabama with 15 career starts before declaring on Jan. 7, posting 3,567 yards with 28 TDs and five INTs in 2025.
  • Reports tie his late-season dip to a persistent back issue he played through, while The Athletic’s Dane Brugler cites limited experience as a red flag and points to the combine medicals and on-field work as pivotal.