Albert Breer’s NFL Draft Takeaways: How the Rams Landed Ty Simpson

The Los Angeles Rams didn’t enter the draft with a glaring need at quarterback—at least not on paper. But behind the scenes, a methodical, intelligence-driven process was underway. Albert Breer, one of the most connected voices in NFL media, illuminated the inner workings of how the Rams zeroed in on Ty Simpson, a developmental quarterback from Alabama, in the later rounds. It wasn’t about panic or desperation. It was about foresight, fit, and a scouting infrastructure that values long-term projection over immediate splash.

Breer’s takeaways cut through the noise of draft hype and reveal a team operating with surgical precision—one that blends McVay’s offensive vision with an analytical front office increasingly tuned into player development arcs.

The Rams’ Quiet Quarterback Crisis

The Rams’ decision to draft Ty Simpson wasn’t born from a sudden vacancy. But look closer, and the pressure points were evident.

Matthew Stafford, while still effective, is 36 and coming off multiple elbow surgeries. His durability beyond the next two seasons is uncertain. Baker Mayfield’s departure left a void in veteran competition, and Stetson Bennett, though showing flashes, remains unproven at the NFL level.

Breer pointed to internal evaluations that painted a sobering picture: relying solely on Stafford's health is a high-risk strategy. The Rams needed a quarterback with upside, arm talent, and moldability—one they could develop without the pressure of immediate wins.

Enter Ty Simpson.

Unlike the more heralded J.J. McCarthy or Jayden Daniels, Simpson wasn’t a household name. But in private meetings and pre-draft interviews, he impressed Rams evaluators with his football IQ, processing speed, and willingness to learn. Breer noted that Simpson’s responses during team interviews reflected a rare self-awareness—he admitted his mechanical inconsistencies but detailed how he was working to fix them.

That humility, paired with elite athleticism and a strong arm, made him a compelling developmental target.

Albert Breer’s Inside View: The Evaluation Framework

Breer’s reporting highlighted how the Rams applied a tiered evaluation model—one that went beyond combine numbers and college stats.

The team prioritized three traits:

1. Processing under pressure – Could the QB recognize blitzes, adjust protection, and deliver on time?
2. Coachability – Was the player open to feedback, able to absorb complex schemes quickly?
3. Long-term physical projection – Did the athlete have the frame, mobility, and arm strength to grow into an NFL starter?

Simpson scored high on all three.

Breer revealed that the Rams’ staff watched Simpson’s Alabama tape with a focus on third-down efficiency and red-zone decision-making. While his raw stats were modest—just 11 career starts—his performance in high-leverage moments stood out. In two appearances against ranked defenses, Simpson completed 68% of his passes with a 6:1 TD-to-INT ratio.

More telling? On plays where the initial read was covered, Simpson consistently found the backside checkdown or escape route—evidence of pre-snap awareness and improvisational skill.

The Rams also ran Simpson through a proprietary cognitive assessment tool during the pre-draft process. While Breer didn’t name the tool, he confirmed the Rams use a third-party platform that measures reaction time, decision latency, and pattern recognition speed. Simpson ranked in the 84th percentile among draft-eligible QBs.

That data, combined with on-tape performance, gave the Rams confidence they were drafting more than just raw tools.

Why Not a Big-Name QB? The Strategic Avoidance of Hype

One of Breer’s sharpest observations was about the Rams’ deliberate avoidance of "name-brand" quarterbacks.

“Everyone else was chasing the sizzle,” Breer wrote in a post-draft breakdown. “The Rams were looking for steak.”

They passed on players with higher profiles but questionable long-term viability—athletes with rigid mechanics or injury histories. Instead, they leaned into Simpson’s malleability.

At 6’3”, 210 pounds, Simpson has the frame to add muscle. He ran a 4.42-second 40-yard dash and posted a 37-inch vertical—numbers that align with McVay’s increasing emphasis on quarterback mobility.

More importantly, Simpson’s time under Nick Saban meant he’d operated in a pro-style system with complex progressions. Breer emphasized that familiarity with structured reads and tempo changes gave Simpson a developmental head start compared to spread-system QBs.

The Rams also liked that Simpson wasn’t a full-time starter until his final college season. That limited exposure meant he hadn’t developed entrenched bad habits—a clean slate the coaching staff could shape.

The Draft Moment: How the Rams Pounced

Breer detailed the chain of events leading up to Simpson’s selection.

The Rams entered Day 3 with multiple trade-down options. But as the quarterback board began to thin, their interest in Simpson intensified. By the top of the fifth round, internal scouts had pushed Simpson into the “priority” tier.

“We had him rated as high as the third round,” a source told Breer, “but we thought he’d go in the fourth. When he was still there at 148, we accelerated.”

The Rams traded up seven spots with the Vikings, surrendering a sixth-round pick to ensure they didn’t lose him. The move wasn’t flashy, but it was decisive.

Breer noted that the Rams had contingency plans—names like Kyle McCord and Jaxson Dart were on the board—but Simpson’s intangibles and scheme fit gave him the edge.

Developmental Path: What’s Next for Simpson?

Simpson won’t challenge for the starting job in Year 1. But the Rams’ plan, per Breer’s takeaways, is clear: a two-year development arc under quarterbacks coach Zac Taylor and offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur.

Expect Simpson to spend his rookie season:

• Learning the full playbook in installments
• Working daily on footwork and timing with McVay
• Participating in offseason minicamps and joint practices
• Potentially serving as the primary scout-team QB to simulate opposing signals

Breer stressed that the Rams view Simpson as a “high-floor developmental” project—not a boom-or-bust gamble. They’re not banking on him becoming Patrick Mahomes. They’re hoping he becomes a reliable, system-savvy backup who can step in if needed.

That’s a shift from past draft behavior. In 2021, the Rams traded away Jared Goff and didn’t draft a single QB. In 2023, they overdrafted Bennett, a player with limited college experience. This time, the approach is more balanced—patient, calculated, and informed.

Lessons from Breer’s Draft Breakdown: What Other Teams Can Learn

Breer’s coverage of the Rams’ Simpson pick offers broader takeaways for NFL franchises:

• Avoid draft herd mentality. Just because a player is popular doesn’t mean he fits your system.
• Invest in cognitive evaluation. Arm strength and speed matter, but processing is king.
• Value coachability over confidence. A humble, eager learner develops faster than a polished product.
• Leverage culture fit. Simpson’s time under Saban meant he understood accountability, preparation, and team-first thinking—traits the Rams prioritize.

Teams that draft based on need alone often fail. Teams that draft based on vision—like the Rams here—build sustainable depth.

The Bigger Picture: Rams’ Roster Strategy in Transition

The Simpson pick is part of a larger shift in Rams philosophy.

With Stafford aging and the salary cap pinching, the front office is pivoting toward youth and adaptability. They’ve added speed on defense, upgraded special teams, and now secured a developmental QB who could be ready by 2026.

Breer noted that Simpson’s selection signals a quiet acknowledgment: the Stafford era is nearing its end. The Rams aren’t rebuilding—they’re reloading.

And unlike teams that wait until a crisis to act, the Rams are planning ahead. Simpson may never start a regular-season game for them. But if he does, the groundwork laid now—through film study, coaching, and protection—will determine his success.

Final Takeaway: Precision Over Panic

Albert Breer’s NFL Draft takeaways underscore a simple truth: the best teams don’t react. They anticipate.

The Rams didn’t draft Ty Simpson because they had to. They drafted him because they could—because their process identified a player with the tools, mindset, and fit to grow within their ecosystem.

Other teams reach for upside. The Rams built a pipeline.

For fans, media, and rival front offices, the lesson is clear: sustainable success comes not from headlines, but from homework. And in this draft, the Rams did theirs.

FAQ

Why did the Rams draft Ty Simpson in the fifth round? The Rams saw untapped potential in Simpson’s athleticism, football IQ, and coachability. With Matthew Stafford aging, they needed a developmental QB who fits their system—Simpson offered that at a low-risk pick.

How does Ty Simpson fit Sean McVay’s offense? Simpson has pro-style experience from Alabama, strong arm talent, and mobility. His ability to process quickly and adapt to structured reads aligns with McVay’s scheme, which increasingly values versatile quarterbacks.

Did Albert Breer predict the Rams would draft Simpson? Breer didn’t name Simpson specifically, but he reported that the Rams were targeting late-round QBs with high upside and strong cognitive profiles—exactly the profile Simpson matches.

Is Ty Simpson expected to start soon? No. Simpson is viewed as a two- to three-year project. He’ll spend his rookie season learning the offense and developing under McVay and Taylor.

What made Simpson stand out to Rams scouts? Beyond physical tools, Simpson impressed in interviews and cognitive testing. His time under Nick Saban demonstrated discipline and adaptability—traits highly valued in McVay’s locker room.

How does this pick reflect the Rams’ overall draft strategy? The Rams focused on value, fit, and future planning. Simpson represents smart asset management—low cost, high ceiling, and alignment with long-term team needs.

Could Simpson challenge for the starting job in the future? While not guaranteed, Simpson’s development will be closely monitored. If he progresses well, he could compete for a starting role by 2026, especially if Stafford retires or is traded.