We are now in the heart of NFL draft combine week, and while much of the league’s focus has turned to free-agency and trade rumors, we’ll also start getting closer looks in the next few days at which prospects make an impact on their stock in the draft, for better or for worse. But for Cleveland Browns fans, they’re also getting more and more of an introduction to gravelly-voiced head coach Todd Monken, who certainly appears more willing to shoot from the hip than his tight-lipped predecessor, Kevin Stefanski, was.
And while meeting with reporters in a scrum after his time at the combine podium on Wednesday, Monken raised some eyebrows by revealing that he is very familiar with Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson.
It just so happens that Simpson is gaining steam as the No. 2 quarterback on the board behind presumed top overall pick Fernando Mendoza. Simpson led the SEC last year in pass attempts (473) and completions (305), throwing for 237.8 yards per game with 28 touchdowns and just five interceptions.
Browns’ Todd Monken Recruited Ty Simpson
As will happen throughout the draft process this season, Monken has pretty extensive knowledge of Simpson. That’s because, long before he got the new job as the Browns head coach, he was the offensive coordinator for the Georgia Bulldogs in college, and helped with recruiting offensive players, especially quarterbacks. He got to know Simpson and his family well.
Monken was asked about Simpson, whom the Browns could potentially take at No. 6 or at No. 24, depending on how long he lasts on the board. He said he admired the fact that Simpson waited his turn behind former Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe.
“When he was coming out, when I first got to Georgia, they hadn’t offered him. But I went up there and talked to his dad—in fact, his dad, Jason, is a Southern Miss alum and I was head coach at Southern Miss. I got to know them really well,” Monken said.
“Really fond of Ty. Obviously, really good football player. Fired up for him, because in today’s day and age, for him to stay as long as he did and then get a chance to be the starting quarterback at Alabama is pretty cool, that is really cool for him to live out his dream at the school he chose, three or four years ago.”
Browns Could Have Opportunities to Add a Quarterback
There are a number of possible ways that the Browns could land Simpson, or another quarterback. If he establishes himself as the clear QB2 in this draft, it’s possible he could move up into the first round as a late surprise riser, the way Jaxson Dart did last season. That could put him on the Browns’ radar at No. 24.
There has been talk that Simpson could be viable at No. 6, though given his scouting report–average arm talent, limited starting experience, lack of playmaking mobility–that is a stretch. The Browns have No. 39 overall in the second round, and that might be a comfortable spot in which to gamble on Simpson.
Ty Simpson Will Need Development Time
One of the chief concerns about Simpson, for the Browns or anyone, will be his lack of polish. He spent four years at Alabama but did not get the starting job until this past season, so he lacks the reps most teams would like to see from a first-round pick.
Thus, he is not a Day One starter for an NFL team. He will need time to develop.
As Pro Football Focus wrote in its summary of Simpson: “Simpson is a guy that could’ve really used another year of starts under his belt in college to improve upon some of his decision-making and get a better feel in the pocket. Far too often, we see inexperienced quarterbacks thrust into the NFL to try and learn on the fly. If Simpson is really given time to learn and develop, I can see him turning into a solid starter at the NFL level.”
