However high you think Ty Simpson might go in April's NFL Draft, he's probably going to go a little bit higher. The former Alabama quarterback solidified his standing as QB2 behind Indiana's Fernando Mendoza and should be a sure-fire first-round pick.
Some believe Simpson could now go as high as No. 6 to the Cleveland Browns. With so many QB-needy teams out there, someone is going to draft Simpson higher than most experts have him on their draft boards.
Simpson put together impressive tape at Alabama before injuries and an illness slowed him down late in the year. His performance at the NFL Combine was under a microscope, and Simpson jumped off the slide with his interviews and his on-field work.
Long-time backup NFL QB Chase Daniel came away incredibly impressed, calling Simpson the NFL's "best-kept secret."
"This kid is the NFL's best-kept secret," Daniel said during a video posted to his X account
Ty Simpson is the NFL’s best kept secret….draft stock 📈 after the NFL Combine
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) March 2, 2026
This is absolute dime from under center….perfect base, perfect trajectory & perfect rhythm. pic.twitter.com/3ZapZjxBnI
In the video, Daniel breaks down what he thought was the most impressive throw by a quarterback during the combine, in which Simpson throws a perfectly in-rhythm bomb to a receiver in stride. The throw showed off Simpson's accuracy, arm strength, anticipation, and footwork all in one.
Ty Simpson's NFL Draft stock is on the rise after strong performance at the Combine
Daniel certainly knows what good quarterback play looks like. He was in the NFL as a backup for 13 years, sitting behind some all-time greats like Drew Brees and Matthew Stafford. He's a lot more equipped to talk about quarterbacks than you, me, or any Joe Blow sitting on their couch.
Daniel is not the only former pro/draft expert to rave about Simpson, either. Dan Orlovsky is another, recently calling Simpson's first eight starts at Alabama more impressive on tape than consensus No. 1 pick Mendoza.
Todd McShay has been highly complimentary of Simpson all season, and recently echoed Orlovsky's comments.
Some thought Simpson was silly to leave college a year early to enter the NFL Draft, especially with ridiculous NIL offers out there to try to entice him to stay in school. But his performance in Indianapolis further proves he made the right decision, and that he'll hear his name called early on the opening night of the NFL Draft next month.