The Los Angeles Rams are preparing for an offseason in which long-term quarterback planning is firmly on the table. Matthew Stafford is playing at an MVP-caliber level and has the team back in the NFC title conversation, but he is 37, and his current two-year, $84 million contract runs through the end of the 2026 season.
Multiple national mock drafts have zeroed in on the same idea, using a late first-round pick on Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson as a developmental successor behind Stafford in Sean McVay’s system.
Rams Could Find Long-time Replacement for Matthew Stafford in Alabama QB
PFSN’s 3-round 2026 mock draft aligns with the Rams as a logical landing spot for Simpson, citing both roster timing and the 2026 quarterback landscape. Simpson could come in as a one-year starter with strong traits, sitting behind Stafford before taking over in later years, a structure that would mirror how some contenders have tried to transition from aging veterans while staying competitive.
Simpson’s 2025 stat line at Alabama included 305 completions on 473 attempts for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns, five interceptions, and a 145.2 passer rating, along with 93 rushing yards and two rushing scores, numbers that establish him as one of the more efficient passers in the incoming class. PFSN’s NFL Offense Impact Metric also rated the Rams as the league’s best offense, with an impact score of 92.3 and a letter grade of A-.
KEEP READING: 2026 7-Round NFL Mock Draft: Jets and Dolphins Select QBs of the Future, While 5 WRs Go in Round 1
The analysis places Simpson with the Rams near the end of the first round. The mock draft marries team needs, current rosters, and broader league trends to model how the top 100 picks could unfold. Simpson lands at No. 29 overall to the Rams, with the analysis directly tying the pick to Stafford’s stage of his career and McVay’s track record with quarterbacks.
The mock analysis highlighted, “With Matthew Stafford nearing the twilight of his career, the Los Angeles Rams could turn to Alabama’s Ty Simpson as a future heir to the offense. If any coach in the NFL can help the talented arm of Simpson reach its full potential, it may be Sean McVay.”
Furthermore, the analysis noted that with Oregon’s Dante Moore returning to college, Simpson “positions himself as a top-tier QB2 in the class, offering immediate depth and the potential to develop into a franchise signal-caller.”
Scouting notes in that same projection focused on Simpson’s technical profile and processing. After outlining why his draft stock could benefit from a relatively shallow quarterback group, the mock detailed what evaluators see on tape.
“What sets Simpson apart is his mechanical precision. His throwing motion is smooth and repeatable, with consistent hip torque, shoulder alignment, and release timing that translate cleanly to the NFL. He reads defenses with a quarterback’s instincts, spotting coverage gaps pre-snap and anticipating throws over the middle with advanced timing.”
That description fits the rhythm and timing demands inherent in McVay’s system, where accuracy, progression speed, and repeatable mechanics are prioritized alongside physical tools.
From the Rams’ perspective, the projected move would not signal an immediate change under center, but rather a succession plan. Stafford remains under contract, and his recent performance has kept Los Angeles firmly in the contender tier. At the same time, the organization has no clear long-term starter behind him, with Jimmy Garoppolo and Stetson Bennett currently on the depth chart.
Investing a late first-round pick in Simpson, as these mocks suggest, would give the Rams a cost-controlled passer who can learn McVay’s offense without immediate pressure to start. For a team balancing win-now expectations and future stability, that combination of veteran quarterback, proven play caller, and developmental prospect is why multiple analysts have connected Simpson to Los Angeles at the back end of the first round.
