Ty Simpson declares for NFL Draft: Is Alabama star the Browns answer at QB?

Andy McNamara

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Ty Simpson declares for NFL Draft: Is Alabama star the Browns answer at QB? image

From 'Bama to Berea, could Ty Simpson be heading to the Cleveland Browns?

After officially declaring for the NFL Draft, Simpson will surely garner attention from GM Andrew Berry. The Browns possess two 2026 first round draft picks. Their own at No. 6, and Jacksonville's, which is still to be determined based on playoff success, but will land somewhere in the high twenties.

During his press conference on Monday that followed the firing of head coach Kevin Stefanski, Berry was non-committal to Shedeur Sanders as the starter moving forward.

More: John Harbaugh next team odds: Giants emerge as heavy favorites, but Is a Browns homecoming looming?

"We're going to do our work on the quarterback market," Berry said. "It's too important of a position and it's something that has to be solidified. I can't sit here and tell you today whether the solution for, or the starter in 2026 is internal or external."

That sounds like anything could be on the table. With their No. 6 overall pick likely too low to land current top QB prospects Fernando Mendoza (Indiana) and Dante Moore (Oregon), Cleveland could look to Simpson.

During the 2025 season, the Crimson Tide signal-caller completed 64.5% of his passes for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns and five interceptions. He led Alabama to an 11–4 record.

However, Simpson's college career ended following an extremely disappointing 38-3 loss to Indiana in the College Football Playoff Rose Bowl.

NFL.com's Lead Draft Writer Eric Edholm gives his analysis of the redshirt junior. "The 6-foot-2, 208-pound Simpson has a smaller body of work than other quarterbacks expected to be in this class, with only 15 college starts, even if he has vast experience working in Alabama's talented QB room the previous three years."

Edholm continued, "Simpson's arm talent, footwork and operational skills all appear to be starter-caliber, even if he's not considered an elite athlete -- and further development also might be needed. He struggled at times late in the regular season and still needs work refining his downfield touch and ball placements, but the elements are all there for him to become an NFL starter in time."

That "starter in time" comment could cause Browns fans to cringe. If taking him with the sixth pick is too high, what about grabbing Simpson if he falls to the twenties with their other first-round selection?

Then Cleveland could address a position of need like wide receiver or offensive line at No. 6, and still get a QB to join Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, and Deshaun Watson.

Picking quarterbacks late in the opening round of the NFL Draft, hasn't worked out well for the franchise in the past.

 Year         Player Overall Pick       College
 2007Brady Quinn     No. 22Notre Dame
 2012Brandon Weeden     No. 22Oklahoma State
 2014Johnny Manziel     No. 22Texas A&M

That list of first round busts will send shivers up and down the Dawg Pound's spine.

There's still a long way until April's NFL Draft. Whether Simpson becomes a legitimate option for the Browns remains to be seen, but Andrew Berry will certainly be taking a close look.

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Staff Writer