The NFL Draft never fails to deliver a few jaw‑dropping moments, and Thursday night’s selections gave fans plenty to talk about. The most eyebrow‑raising call came when the Los Angeles Rams reached for Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick.
Going into the draft, analysts were split on Simpson’s value. Some projected him as a late‑first‑round talent, while others doubted he would even break into the first round at all.
In the end, the consensus proved wrong: the Rams chose him well before the half‑hour mark, sparking a flurry of commentary and a noticeable shift in the usually upbeat demeanor of head coach Sean McVay. "I can’t repeat the exact words from the podcast, but essentially I’m thinking, are you kidding me?" Sky Sports NFL analyst Jeff Reinebold said on the Inside the Huddle show.
"It seemed like McVay was genuinely surprised that the Rams took Ty Simpson right there." Reinebold admitted the pick threw him for a loop. "I spent the rest of the draft trying to make sense of it. I was thinking about Matthew Stafford’s contract – two more years – and how we could map out a transition plan. There’s six games of solid film and nine games that raise questions." He went on to compare Simpson with the team’s other receiving options.
"I looked at Makai Lemon and thought, ‘that’s a perfect fit.’ You have a receiver in rehab (Puka Nacua), you can never have too many reliable pass‑catchers, and you still have a veteran like Davante Adams winding down his career. Yet the Rams saw something in Simpson that checked enough boxes for a long‑term investment." Simpson now joins a quarterback room anchored by Matthew Stafford, the 38‑year‑old who just came off an MVP‑caliber season that left him one game shy of a Super Bowl appearance. Simpson’s college résumé is modest but respectable.
After sitting behind Bryce Young and Jalen Milroe at Alabama, he started only one full season, completing 305 of 473 attempts for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns and five interceptions over 15 games. The season was a tale of two halves: early success gave way to a slump in the latter part, where he threw seven touchdowns against four picks, prompting doubts about his draft stock. Reinebold emphasized the importance of body language in evaluating prospects. "Sean McVay is usually very outgoing and positive, but he wasn’t the guy stepping up to the podium to praise Ty Simpson," he noted, underscoring how unusual the reaction was.
The Rams still have other quarterback options. Third‑round pick Stetson Bennett, selected out of Georgia in 2023, remains on the roster, while veteran Jimmy Garoppolo is reportedly weighing retirement.
Reinebold drew a parallel between Bennett and Simpson: "Both didn’t log massive college stats, but they’re accurate, have solid mechanics, and lack the flash‑y arm strength or elite physical traits. If you’re going to choose one, you have to decide what you value more." Another dramatic moment unfolded when USC wide receiver Makai Lemon was taken by the Philadelphia Eagles at the 20th overall spot. Lemon had been in talks with the Pittsburgh Steelers, seemingly set to fall to the 21st pick, but Eagles general manager Howie Roseman traded up to snag him before the Steelers could act.
The move came amid rumors that the Eagles might trade star receiver A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots after June 1. Reinebold praised Roseman’s maneuver: "I don’t want to call it genius because that’s a strong word, but he was incredible." He added, "The buzz before the draft was all about A.J. Brown possibly leaving.
Then the Eagles get a younger, cheaper, faster receiver with a great attitude. He’ll be a hero in Philadelphia, making Jalen Hurts even better." Analysts had compared Lemon to Detroit Lions wideout Amon‑Ra St. Brown before the draft, and now he will join a Philadelphia offense featuring DeVonta Smith, Saquon Barkley and Hurts himself – a unit that faced heavy criticism last season for its lackluster production. Eagles analyst Reynolds summed up the excitement: "He came in looking like he wanted to start playing a game right away.
He looked tough, competitive, and he even joked that Eagles fans are getting a ‘dog.’ That’s the type of gritty player the Philadelphia fan base will adore." For fans eager to relive the action, day two of the NFL Draft began at midnight on Friday and was broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event, Action, and Mix. The event wrapped up with day three’s selections on Saturday afternoon, also on Sky Sports Action.
The Rams’ bold move on Simpson, the Eagles’ swift trade for Lemon, and the swirling speculation around A.J. Brown all contributed to a draft weekend that reminded everyone why the NFL’s annual talent lottery remains one of the most unpredictable spectacles in sports.