’Browns drafted better QB than Ty Simpson’ says ESPN

TL;DR

ESPN's Tony Grossi claims the Cleveland Browns selected a better quarterback, Taylen Green, in the sixth round than the Los Angeles Rams did with Ty Simpson at 13th overall. Green's athleticism is praised, but concerns about his accuracy and decision-making remain.

Key points

Cleveland Browns drafted Taylen Green in the sixth round
Los Angeles Rams selected Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick
Tony Grossi prefers Green's athletic traits over Simpson's
Green had 19 passing touchdowns and 8 rushing touchdowns last season
NFL.com rated Green with a '99 athletic score'

Cleveland BrownsLos Angeles RamsTaylen GreenTy Simpson

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 28: Taylen Green of the Arkansas Razorbacks throws a pass during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Cleveland Browns got a better quarterback in the sixth round than who the Los Angeles Rams drafted with the 13th overall pick, according to a veteran reporter at ESPN. Should the Rams have waited to draft a quarterback or is this just Shedeur Sanders 2.0? ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Grossi said on the radio this week that he’d rather have sixth round pick Taylen Green than Ty Simpson. “This guy’s got traits,” said Grossi, who has been working for ESPN since 2012, “Athletic ability. I’d rather have (Green) than (Garrett Nussmeier), Ty Simpson, or Carson Beck.” One of the other hosts on 850 ESPN Cleveland said, “I totally agree” to every quarterback listed. Green was the 182nd overall pick after a career at Boise State and Arkansas. He completed 60% of his passes last season with 19 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and 777 rushing yards with eight more touchdowns. whatever that means. Although his athletic testing was off the charts, Lance Zierlein says that Green “puts the ball in harm’s way at an alarming rate” and that he struggles with “processing”, “timing”, and “post-snap recognition”. There are reasons that every team, including the Browns, bypassed Green in the draft many times over the first 181 picks. This does not mean that Ty Simpson will prove to be a great pick or that Green could not get better and eventually start in the NFL. It is, however, so on brand for Cleveland Browns fans to think the bar is so low on the team that Taylen Green feels somehow exciting compared to every other option that could have been available. This is after all the same fanbase that thinks Shedeur Sanders should be handed the starting job from day one despite being a fifth round pick who was by some accounts the worst quarterback in the NFL last season. Grossi compares Green to and says that it could take him a few years before he contributes as a quarterback. Why do you think he chose Willis instead of, I don’t know, 300 other examples he could have used of drafted quarterbacks who did carve out NFL careers?

Q&A

Why does Tony Grossi believe Taylen Green is a better pick than Ty Simpson?

Tony Grossi believes Taylen Green has superior athletic traits compared to Ty Simpson, despite concerns about Green's accuracy and decision-making.

What were Taylen Green's college statistics before the NFL draft?

Taylen Green completed 60% of his passes last season, throwing for 19 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, while also rushing for 777 yards and eight touchdowns.

What is Taylen Green's athletic score according to NFL.com?

NFL.com gave Taylen Green a '99 athletic score', indicating exceptional athletic ability.

How does Taylen Green compare to Malik Willis according to Grossi?

Grossi compares Taylen Green to Malik Willis, noting that both are athletic quarterbacks who may take time to develop in the NFL.