Rams 2026 Draft Prospect Profile: Ty Simpson (QB, Alabama)
· Yahoo Sports
With the 2025 NFL season now officially over, Los Angeles Rams fans can turn their attention to the offseason. Along with the Rams having an opportunity to better themselves in free agency, they are currently projected to have 10 draft picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, including two seventh-round compensatory picks.
Being that this year's draft begins on April 23rd, the goal is to have at least one draft prospect profile posted on the site every day between now and April 22nd. Within these profiles, we'll discuss the background and college production of each player, how they fit the Rams, and each prospect's draft projection.
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To try to keep these profiles somewhat organized, we'll be going position-by-position, beginning with quarterbacks. Additionally, I'll try my best to update each prospect's profile as we gather more pre-draft information.
As mentioned above, the quarterback position will be up first, and despite Matthew Stafford announcing his return for next season, the Rams need to begin thinking about a future replacement. Among the handful of quarterbacks Los Angeles could consider, let's take a look at Ty Simpson out of Alabama.
Background/college production
Simpson was a five-star recruit coming out of high school before committing to Alabama in 2022. After redshirting his freshman season and spending two years as the backup quarterback for the Crimson Tide, Simpson finally got a chance to be a full-time starter in 2025.
Across 15 starts this past season, Simpson completed 64.5% of his throws for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. According to PFF, Simpson was just 31st in adjusted completion percentage (75.3%) among collegiate signal-callers with 200-plus dropbacks in 2025, though he also had the 30th-highest drop percentage (8.9%) in the same sample.
How he fits the Rams
There is certainly added risk with taking a quarterback like Simpson, who has just one year of experience as a starter in college. However, the Rams are positioned in a way that allows them to give an incoming rookie quarterback a chance to develop behind Stafford until the veteran signal-caller elects to retire.
While Simpson does lack elite arm traits, his footwork and ability to throw with anticipation and touch are a good foundation to build off of in the right system. Sean McVay and Les Snead have hinted at wanting a mobile quarterback at some point, and despite Simpson's underwhelming rushing numbers, he's more mobile than the stats suggest.
Draft projection
At one point during the 2025 campaign, Simpson seemed to be a lock for the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, but a shaky finish to the season put a dent in his draft stock. Some mock drafts now have Simpson falling to the second round, though a lack of enticing quarterback prospects in this year's draft and teams around the league needing the most premium position could lead to him still hearing his name called in round one.
While selecting Simpson with the 13th overall pick doesn't seem ideal, the Rams also have the 29th overall pick, and there's a chance they decide to trade back with that selection. Taking Simpson in the second round with the idea of having him learn behind Stafford for a year or two wouldn't be the worst outcome if McVay and Snead like what they see from the Alabama product in the pre-draft process.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: LA Rams 2026 Draft Prospect Profile: Alabama QB Ty Simpson