The Los Angeles Rams didn’t land a headline-grabbing quarterback in the early rounds. No five-star recruit. No consensus top-10 pick. Instead, they quietly selected Ty Simpson in the later rounds—a move that drew sideways glances from casual fans. But according to Albert Breer’s draft takeaways, this wasn’t luck, oversight, or desperation. It was precision.
Breer, one of the most trusted voices in NFL analysis, framed the Rams’ strategy as textbook modern drafting: find developmental arms with elite raw traits, then bet on coaching and timing. Ty Simpson, the Alabama quarterback with blazing speed and unrefined mechanics, fit that mold perfectly. So how did the Rams land on him? And why did Breer see this as a calculated win rather than a flier?
Let’s unpack the evaluation, timing, and team context that made this pick possible—and potentially prescient.
Why Ty Simpson Slipped: The Evaluation Gap
At first glance, Simpson’s draft slide seems baffling. A dual-threat QB from Alabama with 4.4 speed at 6’1”, 205 pounds? That profile typically flies off the board by Day 2. But Simpson didn’t play much. In three seasons with the Crimson Tide, he attempted just 50 passes. That lack of game reps raised red flags among most teams.
Yet Breer pointed out a critical distinction: production isn’t the only indicator of potential. The Rams, he suggested, didn’t just look at stats—they looked at environment. At Alabama, Simpson was stuck behind Bryce Young, then Jalen Milroe—both high-level performers in a pro-style system. His limited snaps weren’t a reflection of ability, but of circumstance.
Breer noted: > “The difference between a ‘project’ and a ‘prospect’ is often context. Simpson wasn’t benched—he was blocked. The Rams saw that, and they saw the physical tools to project forward.”
Where other teams saw inexperience, the Rams saw clean injury history, elite athleticism, and a high football IQ—traits that don’t show up on a stat sheet but matter in development.
Albert Breer’s Take: The Late-Round QB Strategy
Breer has long argued that the most efficient path to finding a starting quarterback isn’t through top-10 picks, but through patient, late-round evaluation. In his draft analysis, he highlighted three key trends the Rams appeared to follow:
- Prioritize traits over tape – When game film is limited, physical and cognitive attributes become the baseline.
- Target pro-ready bodies – Simpson’s frame and athleticism suggest he can withstand NFL physicality early.
- Bet on coaching – With offensive coordinator Liam Coen’s background in developing young QBs (see: Kyler Murray’s early development), the Rams have a system built for refinement.
Breer emphasized that this approach only works if the team is honest about its timeline. The Rams aren’t looking for a Week 1 starter. They’re building for after Matthew Stafford, whenever that era ends.
“This isn’t about Day 1. It’s about Day 1,000. Simpson is a Year 3 or Year 4 quarterback—maybe later. But if the traits are there, why not roll the dice in Round 6?”
How the Rams’ Scouting Process Diverged
Not every team evaluates quarterbacks the same way. Most rely heavily on college production, Combine performance, and private workouts. The Rams, per Breer’s reporting, went deeper.
They reportedly conducted extended cognitive testing, studied Simpson’s decision-making in limited reps, and even reviewed his leadership in Alabama’s QB room—where he was known as a respected teammate despite limited playing time.
Breer highlighted one telling data point: Simpson ranked in the top 15% of all QB prospects in pre-snap recognition drills during pro day, despite not running a traditional offense at Alabama. That kind of off-ball processing is often overlooked but critical in the NFL.
The Rams also valued his mobility—not just as a rush threat, but as a pocket mover. Breer pointed out that Simpson’s ability to extend plays without losing downfield focus gives him a higher ceiling than pure scramblers.
Compare that to another late-round QB like J.J. McCarthy—drafted earlier but with less athletic upside. The Rams made a different bet. Not better, not worse—different—and one aligned with their offensive identity.
The Role of Timing and Roster Context
Matthew Stafford is still the starter. Stafford’s health has been a concern, but the Rams aren’t in rebuild mode—they’re competing now. So using an early pick on a developmental QB would’ve been a misalignment.
Instead, they waited. And when Simpson fell to the sixth round, they pounced.
Why didn’t others? Breer speculated that several teams had Simpson rated as a seventh-rounder or priority free agent. The Rams, with deeper background checks and better intel on his medicals and mindset, were willing to move up slightly to secure him.
That timing—the sweet spot between need, value, and opportunity—is where smart drafting happens. As Breer put it: > “You don’t reach for players. You recognize them when they fall into range.”
Simpson’s Development Path: What’s Next?
Breer doesn’t claim Simpson will start for the Rams. What he does suggest is that Simpson now has the best possible environment to grow.
Consider the factors:
- Stafford as mentor: A Super Bowl-winning QB who’s shown willingness to support young players.
- Coen’s system: Built on quick reads, play-action, and mobility—ideal for Simpson’s skill set.
- Minimal pressure: No expectation to play early means he can learn without panic.
Breer also cautioned that the real test comes in Year 2 and 3. Can Simpson clean up his footwork? Can he make quick progressions under pressure? Those are the questions that will determine if this was a shrewd pickup or just another practice squad arm.
But the early indicators are promising. Simpson’s work ethic, per Alabama sources, was elite. He didn’t sulk when passed over—he trained harder. That kind of resilience matters in long-term development.
Why Other Teams Missed the Signal
It’s easy to Monday-micromanage the draft. But Breer reminded readers that everyone misses some players. The difference between good and great teams is in their margin of error.
Most teams look for proven production. That’s logical—but it also leads to blind spots. Quarterbacks like Dak Prescott, Russell Wilson, and even Tom Brady fell due to perceived limitations that teams couldn’t move past.
Simpson’s case is similar. His lack of starts. His completion percentage (57% in college). His conservative play style under Nick Saban.
But the Rams, guided by a process Breer described as “patient and trait-based,” saw past the noise. They didn’t need him to be perfect now. They needed him to have the ingredients.
And in Simpson, they saw:
- Elite speed for the position
- Arm strength on intermediate throws
- High football IQ
- Coachability
- Clean injury history
Five traits that, if developed, could form the foundation of a starter—or at minimum, a valuable backup.
A Model for Modern Drafting?
Breer didn’t call the Simpson pick a “steal.” He called it a template.
The idea isn’t to draft Alabama QBs in Round 6 every year. It’s to build a process that identifies asymmetric value—where your internal evaluation diverges from the market, and you act decisively.
The Rams did that here. They combined:
- Deep scouting
- Honest timeline assessment
- Willingness to bet on traits
- A development system ready to support growth
That’s not flashy. It won’t trend on X. But over time, it builds sustainable success.
As Breer noted: > “The goal isn’t to be different for the sake of it. It’s to be right when others hesitate.”
The Bottom Line: What This Means for L.A.
The Rams didn’t solve their long-term QB problem on draft weekend. But they took a low-cost, high-upside step toward it.
Ty Simpson isn’t the answer. Not yet. But he’s a candidate—one with tools, support, and time.
And thanks to Albert Breer’s analysis, we can see that this wasn’t a random pick. It was a deliberate, informed decision rooted in modern draft philosophy: identify undervalued traits, act when the price is right, and trust the process.
For fans, the message is simple: don’t expect miracles in Year 1. But keep an eye on practice reports, preseason snaps, and how quickly Simpson absorbs the system.
Because in three years? This sixth-round pick might be the one holding the clipboard—or taking the first snap.
Actionable takeaway: Follow Simpson’s progress in training camp, especially his work with the second-team offense. Look for improvements in rhythm throws and pre-snap command—those will be early signs the development is on track.
FAQ
Did Ty Simpson start games at Alabama? No, Simpson did not start any games. He served as a backup to Bryce Young and later Jalen Milroe, appearing in limited mop-up duty.
Why did the Rams draft a QB so late? They didn’t need an immediate starter. With Matthew Stafford healthy, they could afford to take a developmental prospect with high upside and low draft cost.
How does Albert Breer view late-round QB picks? Breer believes they’re among the most efficient ways to find talent—provided teams have a strong development system and realistic timelines.
Is Ty Simpson a mobile QB or a pocket passer? He’s primarily a dual-threat QB with elite speed, but the Rams see potential for him to refine his pocket presence over time.
What are Simpson’s biggest weaknesses? Inconsistent footwork, limited experience, and lower completion percentage due to limited reps and conservative play at Alabama.
Could Simpson become the Rams’ starter? It’s possible, but not expected soon. He’s viewed as a long-term project, likely 2–4 years away from meaningful snaps.
How does this pick reflect the Rams’ overall strategy? It shows a commitment to building depth, valuing athleticism and coachability, and making smart, low-risk bets in the later rounds.
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