Mina Kimes has recently turned her analytical lens on Ty Simpson, a quarterback prospect who stands at 6-foot-1 and weighs 211 pounds. With only 15 college starts under his belt, Simpson’s draft stock is under scrutiny as he prepares for the NFL Draft.
In his final collegiate season, Simpson threw for 3,567 yards and 28 touchdowns, completing 64.5% of his passes. However, his performance in the last five games raised concerns, as he averaged just 156 passing yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions during that stretch. Kimes notes that Simpson is a prominent outlier if he succeeds in the NFL, as most quarterbacks of his stature have faced significant challenges.
Historically, Kimes has compiled a list of NFL quarterbacks under 6-foot-2 and weighing less than 215 pounds who had more than 16 college starts. This list includes notable names such as Drew Brees, Russell Wilson, and Kyler Murray. Among these, only Kyler Murray and Bryce Young were drafted in the first round, highlighting the rarity of success for quarterbacks of Simpson’s profile.
Adding to the conversation, Danny Kelly compared another prospect, Jonah Coleman, to Kyren Williams on Kimes’ podcast. Coleman, who rushed 477 times for 2,682 yards and 30 touchdowns over the past three seasons, also caught 79 passes for 814 yards and three scores. Kelly’s remarks suggest that while Coleman has potential, there are no guarantees in the NFL.
“I remember Kyren [Williams] coming out — you could swap over everything we said [about Williams onto Coleman],” Kelly stated, indicating the parallels between the two players. However, he also cautioned that “there’s plenty of worlds where Coleman doesn’t do anything in the NFL, we forget about him in two years.”
As the draft approaches, the uncertainty surrounding Simpson’s durability, given his playing weight may have dipped below the listed 211 pounds, raises questions about his long-term viability in the league. Kimes’ analysis underscores the challenges faced by quarterbacks who do not fit the traditional mold.
With the NFL Draft looming, observers are keenly watching how Simpson’s unique profile will be assessed by teams. Will he break the mold, or will he follow the path of many who have come before him? Details remain unconfirmed as the draft date approaches.
