Ty Simpson is one of the quarterback prospects making waves as the 2026 NFL draft approaches. The Alabama alum was earlier projected as a Day 2 pick, but there’s been strong indications in the last couple of weeks that he could be taken off the board in the first round.

Dan Orlovsky offered an analysis of the brilliant throws made by Simpson at Alabama on the “Pat McAfee Show” on Wednesday. The former Detroit Lions quarterback likened the throws to those of Washington Commanders’ Jayden Daniels, who was Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2024, at LSU.

“They’re not easy throws,” Orlovsky said. “They’re challenging throws. They’re difficult, real NFL throws. I felt that way about Jaden Daniels. And so, it’s hard for me to dispute that. It’s hard for me to not watch all those throws that are getting made in those moments, and I’m very impressed with this tape.

“The negatives? I think one of the negatives is a very interesting conversation, because the negatives are the size and the starts. The size I can have a conversation about, I do think it’s worth talking about the college starts with guys. I think your tape should matter more than how much tape you have.”

Ty Simpson’s limited starts in college football have been a subject of discussion in his draft process. He only made 15 starts at Alabama, far below the typical 25 or more starts considered for proper development. Nonetheless, some analysts believe this wouldn’t count much for him.

Dan Orlovsky also likens Ty Simpson to the 49ers’ Brock Purdy

While he mentioned Ty Simpson having amazing throws that Jayden Daniels possessed during his college days, Dan Orlovsky also likened Simpson to the San Francisco 49ers’ Brock Purdy. He believes the Alabama star has the same throwing technique as the 2022 Mr. Irrelevant.

“The positives are I think he’s surgical throwing like real NFL concepts down the field,” Orlovsky said. “He’s phenomenal down in the red zone. When you watch him, like when I watch him, I see so much of Brock Purdy. The layered throws, the intermediate game, that ball, that 15, 20 yards down the field ball, it’s consistently in the right place.

“I love how often and consistently he has to throw either between defenders or over defenders because that’s real life for high-end quarterbacks in the NFL. There’s playmaking ability there, and so there’s ownership and control of the line of scrimmage.”

Ty Simpson is currently projected to go as high as being the second quarterback off the board after in the draft Fernando Mendoza, who’s projected to be the No. 1 pick. He’s been linked to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Rams and a host of other NFL teams.