The Los Angeles Rams made one of the biggest surprises in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, after selecting Alabama’s Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick.
Many mock drafts had the Rams taking an offensive talent for the Super Bowl roster the team has, to help MVP Matthew Stafford in what could be his final season in 2026.
Taking Simpson highlights that LA views him as the eventual successor when Stafford decides to call it a career. The new Rams quarterback revealed that he had minimal contact with his new organization heading into the draft and that he has not met his new head coach.
With Day 1 of the draft over, an ESPN draft analyst questions the team’s decision to draft Ty Simpson with the 13th overall selection.
Rams Receive Backlash for Ty Simpson Pick
GettyLos Angeles Rams General Manager Les Snead
It is well known that Matthew Stafford has mulled this offseason before announcing in his MVP-winning speech that he would return for year 18.
While taking an eventual successor was likely for the Rams in this year’s draft, drafting Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick garnered questions from the NFL world.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. dropped his reaction after the first round, calling the Rams decision to take Simpson “a real stunner” and that he can’t wrap his brain around it.
“Well, this was wild. I had [Makai] Lemon to the Rams in my final mock draft, and the USC receiver was still on the board when L.A.’s pick came around. This team is in win-now mode as it tries to capitalize on a really good roster with 38-year-old Matthew Stafford playing on a year-to-year basis,” Kiper wrote.
“Instead, the Rams took Simpson, who I wasn’t positive would even go in Round 1, let alone this high. I did have Simpson in my final mock but not until late in the 20s. So this was a little surprising to say the least… I get that Simpson is the heir apparent here, and Los Angeles is smart for planning for the future. But using the No. 13 pick on a QB with lingering questions when the Rams had the chance to do something to help them right now doesn’t fit with the contention window.”
While drafting a potential franchise quarterback, Ty Simpson will have to sit behind Matthew Stafford in his rookie season and learn from an MVP-winning quarterback, which can be good for Simpson’s development after questions of his experience playing a factor in his stock.
Rams’ GM Les Snead on Drafting Ty Simpson
GettyAlabama QB Ty Simpson was selected by the Rams in the 2026 NFL Draft.
When speaking to the media after Day 1 of the draft, Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead explained part of the decision to take the quarterback.
“You could draft someone that you think’s going to be immediate and right, it could have an injury … then you’re like, wait a minute, we’re going to have to delay it,” Snead said. “You could draft someone for the future, and there could be an injury, and it’s like wait a minute, that was for the future, and now it’s now.”
“So I don’t know if you can ever take someone in the draft and say they’re going to come in and play. Especially on a team like ours, you have to come in and earn equity. You have to earn trust before you’re gonna get a jersey and help us on game day.”
It is clear that the new Rams quarterback is viewed as a long-term plan, but many still wonder why the team would use a first-rounder when Matthew Stafford will be the starting QB next season, and Sean McVay believes Stafford could keep playing beyond the upcoming season.
While Ty Simpson will look to become the Rams’ starter, he will likely be QB3 behind Stetson Bennett unless he beats him in a training-camp battle for the backup job.
Rams Receive Flack After Drafting Ty Simpson with the 13th Overall Selection