The NFL Draft never fails to deliver a few jaw‑dropping moments, and Thursday night added another headline‑grabbing surprise that left fans and analysts alike scrambling for explanations. The most eye‑catching development was the selection of Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, a player whose draft stock had been the subject of heated debate throughout the week. While some pundits projected him as a late first‑round talent, others doubted he would even break into the first round at all.
In the end, the Los Angeles Rams defied the consensus by plucking Simpson with the 13th overall pick, sparking a fresh wave of discussion and a noticeably subdued reaction from head coach Sean McVay. The surprise selection ignited a flurry of commentary on the Inside the Huddle podcast, where Sky Sports NFL analyst Jeff Reinebold tried to articulate his disbelief. "I can't use the exact words from the podcast, but essentially I was thinking, are you kidding me?" Reinebold said, noting that even McVay seemed taken aback by the move.
"It really knocked me for a loop. I spent the rest of the draft trying to make sense of it.
I was thinking, okay, we have Matthew Stafford for a couple more years, then we’ll have a transition plan in place." Reinebold went on to break down the Rams’ rationale, pointing out the mixture of film the team had evaluated. "There are six games of solid tape and nine games that are less impressive," he explained, highlighting the uneven nature of Simpson’s college résumé.
He also referenced the team’s broader roster situation, noting the presence of a receiver in rehab (Puka Nacua) and the aging but still productive veteran Davante Adams. "When I looked at Makai Lemon, I thought, that's a perfect fit. You can never have too many reliable receivers, and you have a veteran at the end of his career in Adams. But they felt Ty checked enough boxes to justify a long‑term commitment." Simpson now joins a quarterback room led by the 38‑year‑old Matthew Stafford, who entered the season fresh off an MVP‑caliber campaign that saw him one game shy of a Super Bowl appearance.
Simpson’s own college career was modest by elite standards. After spending his early years backing up Bryce Young and Jalen Milroe at Alabama, he earned the starting job for a single season. Over 15 starts he completed 305 of 473 attempts for 3,567 yards, throwing 28 touchdowns against five interceptions. The season unfolded in two distinct halves: an early stretch marked by efficient play, followed by a later period where he threw seven touchdowns but also four picks, raising questions about his consistency and draft outlook.
Reinebold emphasized the importance of body language in evaluating prospects, noting that McVay, typically known for his upbeat demeanor, appeared unusually restrained when discussing Simpson. "Sean is usually very gregarious and positive, but he wasn’t the guy stepping up to the podium to talk about Ty Simpson," Reinebold observed. The Rams still have other quarterback options on the roster. Third‑round pick Stetson Bennett, selected out of Georgia in 2023, remains a viable backup, while veteran Jimmy Garoppolo is reportedly contemplating retirement.
Reinebold drew a parallel between Bennett and Simpson, saying, "Both are guys who didn’t see a ton of playing time in college, but they’re accurate, have good mechanics, and may not wow you with raw arm strength or athleticism. If you’re going to take one, you’re taking a different kind of player." The drama of the night extended beyond the quarterback selections. USC wide receiver Makai Lemon became a focal point when the Philadelphia Eagles traded up to the 20th overall pick to secure him, snatching the prospect from a pending deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Lemon had been on the phone with the Steelers, apparently set to fall to the 21st spot, when Eagles general manager Howie Roseman made a decisive move to leapfrog the Steelers and lock him in at 20.
This maneuver occurred amid swirling rumors that the New England Patriots might acquire AJ Brown after the June 1 trade deadline. Reinebold praised Roseman's boldness, saying, "I don’t want to call him a genius—that’s too strong—but he’s incredible. He saw an opportunity and acted on it." He added that the Eagles were looking for a younger, cheaper, faster receiver with a strong work ethic to complement Jalen Hurts, DeVonta Smith, and Saquon Barkley. "He’ll be a hero there, absolutely a hero, and he’ll make Jalen Hurts even better," Reinebold predicted.
Analysts had previously compared Lemon to Detroit Lions wideout Amon‑Ra St Brown, and the Eagles’ fan base seemed eager for a player with Lemon’s grit. "He came on looking like he wanted to start playing a game right there and then," said one commentator. "He looked tough, competitive, and he said these Eagles fans are getting a dog. He’s the kind of player the Philadelphia crowd will love—hard‑nosed, willing to make plays, and ready to give everything on the field." The second day of the NFL Draft concluded on Friday night, with live coverage on Sky Sports Main Event, Action, and Mix, and the event wrapped up on Saturday with the final round broadcast on Sky Sports Action.
The selections of Ty Simpson and Makai Lemon underscore how teams balance immediate needs, long‑term planning, and the unpredictable nature of player evaluation. While some fans may still be processing the Rams’ decision to reach for a quarterback with limited starting experience, the move reflects a broader trend of franchises willing to gamble on upside and fit rather than strictly adhering to conventional draft charts. As the new season approaches, all eyes will be on how these bold choices translate into on‑field performance and whether the surprise picks become the hidden gems that reshape the league’s competitive landscape.