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

Most NFL Draft coverage fixates on where a player ends up. Albert Breer cuts deeper—asking how and why. His breakdown of how the Rams zeroed in on Ty Simpson isn’t just about draft capital or positional need. It's about process, patience, and a franchise recalibrating its quarterback pipeline after years of high-stakes gambles. Breer’s takeaways expose not just a pick, but a philosophy—one rooted in long-term vision, not short-term panic.

The Rams didn’t just stumble upon Ty Simpson. They engineered a path to him, and Breer’s reporting reveals how subtle adjustments in evaluation, scouting timelines, and organizational alignment allowed Los Angeles to act decisively when others hesitated.

The Rams’ Quarterback Conundrum: More Than Just a Gap

The Rams’ quarterback situation has been volatile since the departure of Jared Goff and the injury-plagued tenure of Matthew Stafford. Despite Stafford’s Super Bowl win, his health and contract made him a liability. Enter Stetson Bennett—signed in 2023 as a developmental option. But Breer points out the flaw in that thinking: Bennett lacked the physical ceiling to be a long-term answer. That created a quiet urgency in the Rams’ war room.

Enter Ty Simpson. A raw, mobile quarterback from Alabama, Simpson didn’t light up the stat sheet. But he flashed elite traits: arm talent, athleticism, and a learning curve that suggested untapped potential. Breer notes that while most teams dismissed Simpson due to limited starts and inconsistent play, the Rams focused on upside and coachable traits—a shift in philosophy from chasing production to projecting development.

“The Rams aren’t betting on what Simpson did at Alabama,” Breer wrote. “They’re betting on what he can become with structured coaching and time.”

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This mindset separates reactive franchises from proactive ones. The Rams, under Sean McVay and GM Les Snead, have evolved. No longer chasing veteran stopgaps, they’re investing in moldable young arms—Justin Herbert, Caleb Williams, and now Simpson.

Albert Breer’s Core Draft Insight: Process Over Hype

Breer’s biggest contribution to draft analysis is his focus on process. He doesn’t just report picks—he dissects how teams source, rank, and decide. In the case of the Rams and Simpson, Breer highlights four key process elements:

1. Early Identification – The Rams scouted Simpson as early as his sophomore year, tracking his development through limited action in a crowded Alabama QB room.
2. Private Workouts Over Combine Metrics – While Simpson’s Combine numbers were modest (4.68 40-yard dash, 28 reps), the Rams hosted a private workout where he demonstrated improved mechanics and mental processing.
3. Film Nuance Over Production – Breer notes that Simpson’s film showed better decision-making in pressure situations than his stats suggested—especially on third-and-long scrambles and RPO reads.
4. Coaching Confidence – The Rams believe McVay and offensive coordinator Mike Klis can develop a passer with Simpson’s traits, citing their work with Jalen Hurts (early in his career) and even Baker Mayfield’s mid-career resurgence.

“Most teams see the lack of starts and move on,” Breer observed. “The Rams see the reps against SEC defenses and ask: what if he had more chances?”

This kind of thinking explains why Simpson lasted into Day 3 of the draft—despite undeniable tools. The Rams didn’t follow the herd. They trusted their process.

Why Ty Simpson Fits the Rams’ System—and Culture

It’s not enough to like a player. He has to fit. Breer emphasizes that the Rams didn’t just fall in love with Simpson’s arm—they saw how he could thrive in their ecosystem.

Mobility in the Modern West Coast Offense

McVay’s offense, while rooted in play-action and tight end utilization, has evolved to incorporate more RPOs and boot-action concepts. Mobile quarterbacks like Baker Mayfield and even Stafford in his prime have thrived when given designed movement. Simpson, with his 6’2”, 210-pound frame and agility, fits that mold.

Breer points to Simpson’s 2023 spring game performance—where he fired a 50-yard dime on the move—as evidence of his comfort outside the pocket. That’s a trait McVay values, especially in late-down situations.

The Alabama Factor: Competitive DNA

Simpson didn’t start at Alabama, but he played in high-pressure environments. He took snaps in the SEC Championship and playoff games, even if briefly. Breer notes that playing behind Bryce Young and Jalen Milroe isn’t a red flag—it’s a filter. Only players with mental toughness survive that QB room.

The Rams, after years of relying on veterans, now prioritize players who’ve been tested. Simpson’s experience in Nick Saban’s program—known for discipline, film study, and accountability—aligns with McVay’s culture.

Development Timeline: No Pressure to Start

One of the most underrated aspects of the pick, per Breer, is the timeline. With Stafford likely in his final season and the Rams not expected to contend immediately, Simpson won’t be rushed. That’s crucial.

Compare this to the 2022 Steelers, who drafted Kenny Pickett in the first round and handed him the job in Week 1. He struggled. The Rams, learning from such missteps, are playing the long game.

Simpson will spend Year 1 learning the playbook, improving his footwork, and adapting to NFL speed. Year 2 could bring rotational snaps. Year 3? A legitimate starter. That’s the roadmap Breer sees—and it’s one the Rams are uniquely positioned to execute.

How the Rams Navigated the Draft Board

Breer’s reporting reveals the Rams didn’t just pick Simpson—they outmaneuvered the draft market.

Simpson was widely projected as a Day 2 pick. But teams like the Vikings, Dolphins, and Colts passed, citing concerns over his experience and mechanics. That created a small window. The Rams, holding multiple mid-round picks, didn’t panic. Instead, they waited.

At No. 117 overall in the fourth round, they struck. Breer notes that the Rams had Simpson ranked significantly higher than the consensus—closer to a late-second-round talent. That discrepancy is where value is found.

They also avoided the trap of overpaying. No trade-up, no draft-day drama. Just a clean, calculated selection based on internal grading. As Breer put it: “They didn’t reach. They just stayed true to their board—and reaped the reward.”

The Hidden Role of Analytics and Medicals

While often overlooked, Breer highlights two behind-the-scenes factors that sealed the deal:

Biomechanical Scouting

The Rams employed motion-capture analysis during Simpson’s private workout. This tech, used to assess throwing mechanics, joint stress, and release efficiency, showed clean, repeatable form—especially on deep outs and crossers. That data gave confidence in his durability and ability to adapt to NFL timing.

Clean Medical Profile

Simpson had no major injury history. At Alabama, he avoided the nagging sprains and shoulder issues that have plagued other young QBs. Breer notes that teams like the 49ers and Cowboys passed due to concerns over his strength and durability. But the Rams’ medical team gave him a clean bill—critical for a player expected to take hits in boot-action plays.

What This Means for the Rams’ Future

Breer’s takeaways aren’t just about one pick—they reflect a broader shift in the Rams’ franchise strategy.

After years of mortgaging assets for short-term wins (see: Stafford trade, Odell Beckham, Von Miller), the Rams are finally rebuilding the right way. They’re not trying to win now. They’re building for 2026 and beyond.

Simpson is part of that. So is their stockpile of mid-round picks. So is McVay’s public commitment to developing young talent.

This draft class—headlined by Simpson and supplemented by a strong defensive rookie group—signals a reset. The Rams aren’t elite yet. But they’re no longer drifting. They have a plan, and Breer’s analysis shows how they’re executing it with precision.

Common Mistakes Other Teams Made That the Rams Avoided

Breer’s insight is most valuable when contrasting the Rams’ approach with common missteps:

• Overvaluing Production – Many teams want QBs with big stats. But Simpson’s lack of volume doesn’t mean lack of potential. The Rams looked beyond numbers.
• Ignoring Coaching Fit – A mobile QB doesn’t work in every system. The Rams knew Simpson thrives in McVay’s boot-action schemes.
• Draft Day Panic – Desperation leads to overpaying. The Rams stayed patient.
• Ignoring Culture Fit – Simpson’s Alabama background ensures he won’t be overwhelmed by pressure or expectations.

The Rams avoided all four. That’s why Breer sees this as one of the smarter late-round QB selections in recent memory.

Final Verdict: A Low-Risk, High-Reward Gamble Backed by Process

Albert Breer’s NFL Draft takeaways on Ty Simpson and the Rams aren’t about fireworks. They’re about discipline. About seeing what others miss. About building—not buying—a quarterback.

The Rams didn’t land Simpson because of luck. They landed him because they prepared better, scouted deeper, and trusted their process over noise. They saw a player with elite traits, a clean bill of health, and a competitive pedigree—and they acted when the market undervalued him.

Is Simpson a sure thing? No. But at No. 117, the risk is minimal. The reward—a potential franchise QB—could reshape the Rams’ next decade.

For fans, the message is clear: the Rams are thinking long-term again. And with insights like Breer’s, we can finally see how the pieces fit.

Practical Takeaways for Draft Evaluation

• Trust internal grading over consensus rankings
• Prioritize upside in mobile QBs for modern offenses
• Use private workouts and biomechanical data to validate film
• Never overpay—wait for value
• Culture fit matters as much as physical tools

The Rams didn’t just draft a quarterback. They drafted a vision. And Albert Breer’s analysis shows exactly how they made it happen.