Rams 1st round pick, #13…Ty Simpson

College: Alabama
Height: 6’1 1/8″
Weight: 211 lbs
Arm: 30 7/8″
Hand: 9 3/8″

from https://www.nfl.com/prospects/ty-simpson/32005349-4d63-9376-c6de-c1666dcadc47

Overview

Former five-star prospect who waited his turn at Alabama and raised his profile in a single season as the Tide’s starter. Simpson is mechanically sound from a footwork and release perspective, providing a favorable foundation to work from. He’s above average as a processor and decision-maker, but timing and anticipation remain works in progress. Arm talent and velocity are average, which limits his success. His repeatable process should help iron out ball placement inconsistencies the more he plays. Simpson is unfazed by shell coverages and is decisive when attacking intermediate zone pockets for chunk gains. He can break contain and move the sticks with his legs, too. Learning to cut bait and avoid sacks needs to be prioritized. One-year starters rarely “boom” so he’ll need a patient staff and a clear developmental roadmap to fill in the missing pieces.

Strengths

Strong four-game stretch against Georgia, Vanderbilt, Missouri and Tennessee
Had freedom to set and adjust protections at the line.
Recognizes coverage quickly and moves through progressions with pace.
Risk management is generally good.
Exceptional footwork, with feet tied to eyes.
Climbs, slides and resets the launch point when edge pressure closes in.
Decisive in probing and attacking intermediate pockets of the zone.
Throws with repeatable mechanics from snap to snap.
Rarely misses basic throws to open receivers between the numbers.
Receiver drops distort his accuracy numbers.
Able to create on second reaction when the play breaks down.
Escapes pocket with enough speed to move the chains.

Weaknesses

Only one season of starting experience.
Carries a below-average build and dealt with nagging injuries in 2025.
Posted a 57% completion rate over his final four games.
Safeties took advantage of lazy eye discipline late in the season.
Base can get jittery when under duress, leading to inconsistent ball placement.
Average arm talent, with throws on the menu that should be ordered sparingly.
Inconsistent timing on deep throws.
Struggles layering the ball over linebackers and beating tight man with precision.
Needs better judgement on when to extend versus when to take a profit.
Held the ball for too long, leading to unnecessary sacks.

from https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/interactive/the-beast-2026/player/ty-simpson-alabama-quarterback/

STRENGTHS

● Quick processor who eliminates things quickly, reads out entire field and finds backside dig/curl
● Repeatable mechanics with quarterback muscle memory
● Athletic enough that defenses must respect his ability to boot or keep on read plays
● Poised, instinctive pocket shuffles; climbs with elevated eyes and sound feet to maintain throwing base
● Delivers with touch, be it a bucket throw or when attacking hole shots
● Not shy giving his target a chance when he likes the look
● Communicates like a pro at the line, setting and resetting pass-pro adjustments
● Impressive mental capacity — you can tell he has been working at his craft for a long time
● Blocking and pass catchers let him down too often, including 30 drops in 2025 (second most among all Power 4 quarterbacks)
● Grew up around a Division I program — ideas of hard work and coachability instilled in him from a young age
● Described as “A-plus” person; voted a 2025 team captain

WEAKNESSES

● Mediocre height and build — looks small at times in the pocket
● Arm strength is more average than above average
● Defenses didn’t always respect his ability to hit certain downfield routes
● Passing accuracy is good but ball placement needs to be better
● Always locates checkdown — too quickly at times and needs to improve read efficiency
● Needs to develop better sense of what is open and what isn’t
● Appeared to second-guess himself over second half of ‘25 season and lost some aggressiveness
● Indecision leads to unnecessary sacks (also fumbled seven times in 2025)
● Toughness won’t be questioned but played banged up in 2025 and was knocked out of Rose Bowl with a fractured rib (Jan. 2026)
● Only one season as a starter — lack of experience shows in different ways

SUMMARY

A one-year starter at Alabama, Simpson operated in the modern-day spread scheme of offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb (Simpson’s third offensive coordinator in four years in Tuscaloosa). He bided his time as an underclassman behind Bryce Young and Jalen Milroe, and he’d earned his degree before throwing his first collegiate touchdown (1,365 days passed between his final high school TD and his first in college). He accounted for 30 touchdowns in 2025 and led the Tide to the SEC championship, although the first half of the season (20 big-time throws, five turnover-worthy plays) was much more consistent than the second (10 and 12, respectively). With his background as the son of a longtime college coach, Simpson received a quarterback education from a young age, and it shows in his mechanics and operation. He doesn’t have any top-tier physical traits but displays a good-enough arm and the mobility to move the launch point (left or right) on naked keepers/boots. He is generally an accurate passer who can digest defensive concepts and read out the entire field. However, he made just 15 career starts, and that lack of experience manifests in his decision-making and precision. He eliminates things quickly — but often too quickly and turns down throws about to come open. Overall, Simpson has the command and process of an NFL quarterback, but he needs valuable experience to be more efficient in his reads, and to better understand what is open and what isn’t. He projects as a low-level NFL starter, with the ceiling of a mid-level starter and floor of a backup (reminiscent of Daniel Jones with lesser physical traits).

Yup. https://t.co/lVeNREXwMa

— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) April 24, 2026