Overview

Position: QB

College: Alabama

Class: Junior (RS)

Age: 23

 

Measurables

Height: 6’1 1/8”

Weight: 211 lbs.

Arm length: 30 7/8″

Hand size: 9 3/8″

 

Athletic testing

40-yard dash: N/A

10-yard split: N/A

Vertical jump: N/A

Broad jump: N/A

Bench press: N/A

3-cone drill: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

 

Strengths

Terrific overall intermediate accuracy. Tremendous ball placement to lead targets up the field on intermediate routes. Pinpoint ball placement on the upfield shoulder. Outstanding accuracy down the sideline on intermediate throws down the sideline. Has a feel for attacking open areas in the middle of the field. Throws with outstanding zip on in-breaking routes. Very good overall arm talent. Quick release. Will step up in the pocket and deliver a strike. Great accuracy hitting tight ends on in-breaking routes versus man coverage. Does a great job layering throws over linebackers between the numbers and on deep crossing routes. Excellent accuracy on shorter out-breaking routes. Will rip out routes before the underneath defender can get in the passing lane. Throws into the flat with zip. Accurate on angle routes. Able to alter his arm angle on shorter throws. Very good arm strength on deep comebacks. Confident ripping hole shots between the cornerback and safety. Will throw low and away towards the boundary with coverage shaded inside. Flashes a natural feel for throwing away from coverage. Deep ball can be on point when he steps into it with a clean pocket. Shows he will work through progressions in scoring territory. Stands in with pressure bearing down. Tremendous overall touch while under pressure. Able to fade and take heat off throws into the flat when pressured. Takes heat off in general to throw a more catchable ball. Good touch and timing on screen passes. Very adept ball handler. Does an excellent job carrying out play-action fakes. Impressive athleticism and mobility. Great ability to quickly reset his feet and square up for an accurate throw after beginning to scramble. Can layer throws on the move.  Terrific accuracy scrambling just outside the pocket. Natural feel to hit receivers who settle in a passing lane on scrambles. Smooth and accurate rolling out to his right. Keeps two hands on the ball while on the move. Athletic spinning out of the pocket to escape pressure. Outstanding strength and balance at his size both in the pocket and scrambling. Will see open space with everyone covered and run. Used on designed quarterback runs and zone reads. Experience on speed options and RPOs with a late throw to the outside after keeping it. Exceptional speed. Agile and aggressive when he takes off. Elusive as a runner.

 

Weaknesses

Can lock onto reads instead of finding the open target. Needs to do a better job working to open targets on the backside of the progression. Would like to see more anticipation and touch down the field. Can be a bit late on throws and allow them to be broken up. Needs more touch throwing end-zone fades. Inconsistent accuracy on deeper go balls. Leaves some downfield throws short if mechanics aren’t in sync. Will take downfield shots with a defender over the top. Needs to get to his check down with pressure coming when seeking a downfield throw. Still learning to read coverage and can get fooled. Inconsistent vision attacking with short route combinations. Want to see him read the outside cornerback sitting in underneath zone coverage before throwing hitches and RPOs. Sometimes takes a sack outside the pocket while looking downfield. Might need to protect himself better as a runner. Limited experience as a one-year starter.

 

NFL comparison

Tony Romo

 

Conclusion

Overall, Simpson is a very accurate quarterback attacking the intermediate level of the field and possesses impressive playmaking instincts and vision. Limited experience is a concern, but he’s advanced enough in certain aspects of the position to believe in as a potential franchise quarterback.

 

Big Board ranking: #18 | Positional ranking: #1