Bullet point summary by AI
- The 2027 NFL Draft class features limited experienced quarterbacks, raising concerns about selecting unproven talent in the first round.
- If Ty Simpson is taken in the first round, he will join a group of quarterbacks with minimal college stats who struggled in the NFL.
- History suggests teams should consider drafting Simpson in later rounds, allowing them to target stronger options in this year’s class.
Ty Simpson has been the topic for a lot of NFL Draft talk over the last week. Most of it has been overhype, but reality is closing in. Simpson has just one full season of college football experience. He served as Jalen Milroe’s backup for two seasons before starting in 2025. Even then, he still hasn’t amassed more than 650 career passing attempts and more than 1,000 career rushing yards.
All Round 1 QBs with <650 career pass attempts and <1,000 career rushing yards in college (since 2000)
Carson Wentz (236)
Mark Sanchez (487)
TY SIMPSON (523)
Mac Jones (556)
Mitch Trubisky (572)
Dwayne Haskins (590)
/end of list— Scott Barrett (@ScottBarrettDFB) March 24, 2026
If Simpson is taken in the first round, he’d join an odd group of quarterbacks who have done the same and none of them have really had a significant NFL career, though one of them stands out among the rest of the bunch. Simpson could end up being a first round pick after some late draft hype. History shows, however, anybody looking to do that is in for a long-term project.
How many former first round picks have had less than 650 career pass attempts and less than 1,000 career rushing yards?
|
PLAYER |
COLLEGE CAREER PASSING ATTEMPTS |
|---|---|
|
Carson Wentz |
236 |
|
Mark Sanchez |
487 |
|
Ty Simpson |
523 |
|
Mac Jones |
556 |
|
Mitch Trubisky |
572 |
|
Dwayne Haskins |
590 |
Mac Jones is the most recent quarterback drafted in the first round that didn’t reach the 650 career passing attempts and 1,000 career rushing yards milestone. He had a rough start in his NFL career, getting scapegoated in New England before moving around to Jacksonville and now the San Francisco 49ers. He’s regarded as one of the best backup quarterbacks with teams possibly trading for him. He could revive his career, but for now he’s still considered a bust.
The other notable name is Carson Wentz. Injuries hampered him from being a starting quarterback after things went south in Philadelphia. He eventually signed with the Minnesota Vikings and saved them from a J.J. McCarthy disaster for as long as he could. He missed more than half of the season due to injury.
To be on this list isn’t a good thing and Simpson has just 523 career passing attempts, the third fewest. This isn’t a good omen for Simpson and proves all the hype isn’t warranted. That said, this doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be a bust. There have been plenty of quarterbacks not on this list that were busts as well.
Why teams have more reason to take Ty Simpson on Day 2 instead of Day 1
This alone could be all the reason teams need to wait on drafting Simpson, but it’s important to remember the hype is giving front offices false hope. Simpson, for as good as he looked for much of the 2025 season, fell apart at the end of the year. The 38-3 loss to Indiana wasn’t a good look either, regardless if he finished the game or not. Nothing has changed since his college career officially ended.
If nothing more, learn from the Shedeur Sanders NFL Draft night fall last year. He was largely regarded as QB2 in the draft and the projected No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft; he didn’t get drafted until the fifth round. Simpson falling shouldn’t be a shock, it should be expected. The 2027 quarterback class is shaping up to be one of the best and deepest in a while. Why waste a first round pick in this year’s miserable class, when you can draft a better player and wait a year for the future face of the franchise.
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