How the Rams Landed on Ty Simpson: Breer’s Draft Insights

When Albert Breer dissected the Rams’ 2024 draft room conversations, one name stood out not for its prominence—but for its quiet inevitability: Ty Simpson. The Alabama quarterback, a former five-star recruit once projected as a potential first-rounder, slipped far past the draft’s final picks. Yet, according to Breer’s insider reporting, Los Angeles didn’t just glance at Simpson—they zeroed in. Not as a headline grab, but as a calculated developmental piece amid a franchise in transition.

Breer’s takeaways reveal more than just a player evaluation. They expose how modern NFL teams navigate uncertainty at quarterback, how draft capital shapes decisions, and how underrated traits—work ethic, processing speed, adaptability—can outweigh raw measurables when matched with the right environment.

Here’s how Breer’s reporting shines a light on the Rams’ decision-making, and why signing Simpson wasn’t a Hail Mary—it was a chess move.

The Rams’ Quarterback Conundrum: More Than Just a Gap

The Rams entered the 2024 draft without a clear heir to Matthew Stafford. John Wolford remains a career backup. Brett Rypien, while serviceable in spot duty, lacks the upside to anchor a rebuild. And while the team flirted with free-agent options like Geno Smith and Jacoby Brissett, neither was a long-term answer.

Breer notes that internal evaluations painted a picture of structural fragility at the position. Without a viable developmental prospect on the roster, the Rams risked stagnation. But going all-in on a rookie QB in the early rounds? Too costly. Too risky. Especially for a team balancing competitiveness with cap constraints.

So the solution wasn’t a splash. It was subtlety.

Enter Ty Simpson—a name that didn’t trend on draft night, but one that now quietly anchors a long-term contingency plan.

Why Ty Simpson? Breer’s Breakdown of the Fit

Albert Breer’s reporting highlights a critical shift in how teams assess late-round and undrafted quarterbacks: projection over production.

Simpson’s college stats at Alabama were underwhelming—just 8 career starts, 1,314 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. But Breer emphasizes that Rams scouts weren’t evaluating résumé length. They were evaluating traits.

Per Breer’s sources:

• Simpson tested exceptionally well in cognitive assessments, showing rapid pattern recognition and pre-snap processing.
• He displayed elite mobility for a pocket passer, with a 4.58-second 40-yard dash at 6’2”, 210 lbs.
• Despite limited reps, he thrived in clean pocket scenarios and showed advanced timing on intermediate throws.
• His work ethic—particularly in film study and offseason development—was consistently praised by Alabama staff.

“The Rams saw a quarterback whose ceiling was limited by opportunity, not ability,” Breer wrote in his post-draft newsletter. “They believe the mental processing is NFL-ready, even if the mechanical consistency isn’t.”

That’s the kind of assessment that separates developmental picks from gambles.

Draft Room Dynamics: How the Rams Engineered the Pickup

Breer’s draft coverage is known for its behind-the-scenes access, and his account of the Rams’ late-round calculus is no exception.

According to his reporting, the Rams had four developmental QBs on their draft board’s final tier:

1. Ty Simpson (Alabama)
2. Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss)
3. Kyle McCord (Syracuse)
4. Shedeur Sanders (Colorado)

Each brought different strengths. Dart had production. McCord had volume. Sanders had name recognition and athleticism.

But the Rams’ coaching staff, led by offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, prioritized coaching responsiveness and system adaptability. In private workouts, Simpson stood out for his ability to absorb complex concepts quickly and adjust footwork drills on the fly.

Breer notes that Simpson's private meeting with Sean McVay was unusually long—28 minutes, compared to the 15-minute slots given to others. The conversation wasn’t about stats. It was about situational football: third-and-long progressions, red-zone spacing, and pre-snap disguise recognition.

“He didn’t just answer the questions,” a source told Breer. “He asked three better ones.”

When none of the top four QBs were selected in the late rounds, the Rams pivoted fast. They secured Simpson as an undrafted free agent within 47 minutes of the draft ending—beating out the Vikings, Colts, and Jets, who all expressed interest.

Speed, fit, and internal conviction won the day.

The Developmental Blueprint: How Simpson Fits the Rams’ Timeline

Breer’s analysis doesn’t stop at the pick. He digs into how the Rams plan to use Simpson—and it’s not as a clipboard carrier.

The blueprint, per Breer:

• Year 1: Focus on mechanics, footwork, and situational awareness. Work daily with QBs coach Chris Weinke using sim-sessions and VR-based pressure reps.
• Year 2: Participate in OTA’s as a scout-team quarterback, simulating opposing starters. Begin light two-minute drill reps in camp.
• Year 3: Challenge for WR2/WR3 backup role. If Stafford retires or is traded, Simpson could enter the 2026 season as QB2 behind a potential new starter.

This mirrors the path of Jordan Love in Green Bay—a low-profile signing with a three-year development window. The Rams are betting not on immediate impact, but long-term optionality.

Breer also notes that the Rams’ investment in sports science and cognitive training gives Simpson an edge. The team uses NeuroTracker for visual processing drills and Whoop for recovery monitoring—tools that help raw athletes adapt faster.

“Simpson isn’t the most polished QB in this class,” Breer writes. “But he might be the one best positioned to thrive in a development-first environment.”

Why Other Teams Passed: The Hidden Red Flags

While Breer defends the Rams’ decision, he’s transparent about the risks.

Simpson’s lack of starting experience is real. He was consistently behind Jalen Milroe at Alabama, and while some blamed political dynamics in the coaching staff, others pointed to inconsistency under pressure.

Film study reveals:

• Struggles with off-platform throws
• Tendency to lock onto primary receivers in muddy pockets
• Limited experience reading NFL-style coverages

Breer notes that teams like the 49ers and Chiefs passed due to concerns about arm strength on deep outs and velocity on crossers. The Rams acknowledged these flaws but believe they’re correctable—especially with McVay’s system, which emphasizes rhythm, timing, and quick triggers over hero throws.

Still, the margin for error is slim. If Simpson doesn’t make measurable progress by 2025, he could become just another developmental miss.

The Broader Trend: Scouts Favoring Processing Over Pedigree

One of Breer’s most incisive takeaways isn’t about Simpson at all—it’s about the evolving philosophy in NFL scouting.

“Teams aren’t drafting arms anymore,” he writes. “They’re drafting brains.”

The Rams’ move fits a growing trend:

• The Bills drafted Tyson Thompson (UTEP) in 2023 for his cognitive testing scores, not his stats.
• The Eagles signed Carson Beck post-draft based on Wonderlic and film retention drills.
• The Chiefs traded up for Jared Goff years ago not because he lit up college stats, but because he processed faster than any QB they’d tested.

Breer argues that as offensive systems grow more complex, mental processing is becoming the top predictor of long-term success—even over athleticism or production.

Simpson, with his off-the-chart cognitive evaluations, is the embodiment of that shift.

“This isn’t a bet on what he did in college,” Breer says. “It’s a bet on what he can become in the right system.”

Practical Lessons for Draft Strategy: What Front Offices Can Learn

Breer’s reporting offers actionable insights for fans and franchises alike. Here’s how his analysis translates into real-world decision-making:

1. Define “developmental” clearly Too many teams sign late-round QBs as PR moves. The Rams defined their goal: find a high-floor learner, not a high-ceiling athlete.

2. Invest in cognitive screening If your team isn’t using tools like CogniFit or Athlete Intelligence, you’re behind. The Rams test all QBs on working memory, reaction time, and decision latency.

3. Prioritize coaching fit over brand names Simpson wasn’t a household name, but he fit McVay’s teaching style. That alignment matters more than star ratings.

4. Move fast post-draft The undrafted market moves in minutes. The Rams had their contract template ready, their medicals pre-reviewed, and their pitch rehearsed.

5. Accept the long timeline Simpson isn’t expected to start in 2024. That patience is rare—and essential for real development.

Final Verdict: A Low-Risk, High-Potential Play

Albert Breer doesn’t hand out praise lightly. But on the Rams’ signing of Ty Simpson, he’s cautiously optimistic.

“It’s not a splash,” he writes. “But it’s smart. In a league where too many teams reach for upside, the Rams found a quarterback with a high floor, a coachable mindset, and the mental tools to grow. That’s not sexy. But it might be sustainable.”

The move won’t make headlines. But if Simpson develops into a viable backup—or better—it could prove pivotal in the Rams’ next chapter.

For now, the ball’s in his court. And according to Breer’s sources, he’s already in the facility at 6 a.m., running reps before the rest of the team arrives.

That’s the kind of detail that tells you everything.

Take action: Follow Albert Breer’s Substack for real-time draft insights, or study the Rams’ past UDFA signings to spot patterns in their developmental strategy. The next hidden gem might not be on draft night—it’ll be in the fine print.