The NFL scouting combine isn’t necessarily a make-or-break for prospects. But it’s pretty darn close.
Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson may have leapt into the 1st round with his performance at the combine, although that’s still an outside shot.
It’s hard to see Simpson dropping past the 2nd or 3rd round, and if he does end up available there, it’s worth watching to see if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scoop him up — especially after Pewter Report put Simpson to the list of players the Buccaneers did formal interviews with at the combine.
The Buccaneers are in desperate need of a competent backup after cutting Kyle Trask in favor of Teddy Bridgewater before the season — neither of whom could be relied on to win games in any way, shape or form if they were pressed into duty in the worst-case scenario of a Baker Mayfield injury.
Simpson was the only quarterback at the combine who received an “A” grade for his performance from USA Today.
From USA Today: “Ty Simpson starred (at the combine) and likely cemented his first-round status … Simpson was the clear-cut best quarterback on the field at the NFL combine. The Alabama product was near-perfect in on-field drills, displaying smooth mechanics and elite ball placement and accuracy at all three levels of the field throughout the session.”
Simpson Seems Like Perfect Fit for Bucs
Simpson, 6-foot-1 and 211 pounds, is the son of longtime University of Tennessee-Martin head coach Jason Simpson, a former Southern Miss quarterback who has won 5 Big South and Ohio Valley Conference championships since 2005.
Ty Simpson spent his 1st 3 seasons as a backup to 2 future NFL quarterbacks in 2023 No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young and Super Bowl champion Jalen Milroe, a 3rd round pick by the Seattle Seahawks in 2025.
In his lone season as a starter in 2025, Simpson threw for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions while leading the Crimson Tide to an 11-4 record and the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.
Comparisons to Former ‘Bama 1st Round Pick
NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein had an interesting NFL comparison for Simpson in a pre-draft evaluation — former Alabama quarterback and 2019 1st round pick Mac Jones.
“Former five-star prospect who waited his turn at Alabama and raised his profile in a single season as the Tide’s starter,” Zierlein wrote. ” … Arm talent and velocity are average, which limits his success. His repeatable process should help iron out ball placement inconsistencies the more he plays. Simpson is unfazed by shell coverages and is decisive when attacking intermediate zone pockets for chunk gains. He can break contain and move the sticks with his legs, too. Learning to cut bait and avoid sacks needs to be prioritized. One-year starters rarely ‘boom’ so he’ll need a patient staff and a clear developmental roadmap to fill in the missing pieces.”
Simpson is the No. 2 quarterback and No. 25 overall prospect in Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest draft rankings for ESPN.
“His lack of experience might be a concern, as Simpson didn’t start a game until last season, but the production is hard to ignore,” Kiper wrote. “Simpson knows the game and competes on every down. He’s a battler who is always trying to make a play — sometimes to his detriment. And Simpson maneuvers well in the pocket and can beat defenses with his legs when the passing play isn’t there.”
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Buccaneers Hint at Move for All-SEC QB Who ‘Starred’ at Combine appeared first on Heavy Sports.