The NFL Draft never fails to deliver a few jaw‑dropping moments, and Thursday night’s selections produced perhaps the most startling surprise of the entire event: the Los Angeles Rams reached for Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick. Going into draft week, Simpson’s stock was a subject of heated debate among scouts and analysts. Some projected him as a late‑first‑round talent, praising his poise and arm strength, while others doubted he would even break into the first round, citing limited starting experience and inconsistent play in his final college season. In the end, the consensus proved wrong – the Rams chose him well before the halfway point of the first round, sparking a flurry of commentary and speculation across the football world.
The reaction from Rams head coach Sean McVay was notably restrained. Known for his upbeat demeanor and animated press conferences, McVay appeared unusually subdued when asked about the decision. Sky Sports NFL analyst Jeff Reinebold, speaking on the Inside the Huddle podcast, tried to capture the coach’s surprise: “I can’t quote him directly, but it was basically, ‘are you kidding me?’ – I think Sean was genuinely shocked that they took Ty Simpson right there.” Reinebold went on to explain that the pick forced McVay to rethink his entire draft strategy. “I spent the rest of the night trying to piece it together,” he said.
“I was thinking about Matthew Stafford’s remaining two years, the transition plan we have in place, and then I saw six games of solid film from Simpson and nine that were, frankly, not great.” The Rams’ front office apparently saw something beyond the raw tape. Reinebold noted that the team’s scouting department compared Simpson to wide receiver Makai Lemon – a player they felt was a perfect fit for their offensive scheme. With a receiver like Puka Nacua still recovering from injury and a veteran like Davante Adams nearing the end of his career, the Rams were eager for a quarterback who could develop alongside their existing talent pool.
“They felt Simpson checked enough boxes to justify a long‑term commitment,” Reinebold added. Simpson now joins a quarterback room anchored by the 38‑year‑old Matthew Stafford, who is coming off an MVP‑caliber season that saw him just one game shy of the Super Bowl. While Stafford provides veteran leadership, the Rams clearly want a younger arm to groom for the future. In college, Simpson spent most of his time backing up Bryce Young and Jalen Milroe at Alabama.
He only started one full season, completing 305 of 473 attempts for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns, and five interceptions over 15 starts. His senior year was a tale of two halves: early on he displayed the poise and accuracy that earned him early hype, but a late‑season slump saw him throw seven touchdowns against four interceptions, raising questions about his consistency. Reinebold emphasized that body language is a huge factor in evaluating quarterbacks. “Sean McVay is usually very gregarious and positive,” he said, “but the fact that he was the one to step up to the podium and talk about Simpson tells you how unexpected this move was.” The Rams still have other options at the position.
Third‑round pick Stetson Bennett, selected out of Georgia in 2023, remains on the roster, and veteran Jimmy Garoppolo is reportedly contemplating retirement. Reinebold drew a parallel between Bennett and Simpson, noting that both are “accurate, have good mechanics, but aren’t necessarily going to wow you with raw arm strength or elite athleticism.” He suggested that the Rams were looking for a different kind of quarterback profile – one who could manage the game efficiently and grow within their system.
The night also featured drama on the wide‑receiver side of the draft. USC’s Makai Lemon, who had been in talks with the Pittsburgh Steelers and seemed poised to fall to the 21st pick, was snatched by the Philadelphia Eagles after General Manager Howie Roseman traded up to the 20th slot. Reinebold praised Roseman’s maneuver, calling it “incredible” and noting that Lemon’s arrival could provide a younger, cheaper, and faster target for quarterback Jalen Hurts.
Analysts had compared Lemon to Detroit Lions star Amon‑Ra St. Brown before the draft, and now he will line up alongside DeVonta Smith, Saquon Barkley, and Hurts in an Eagles offense that faced heavy criticism last season.
“He came in looking ready to play immediately,” said Eagles analyst Reynolds. “He looks tough, competitive, and the fans will love his gritty, dog‑like mentality.” Overall, the Rams’ decision to select Ty Simpson reflects a broader trend in the league: teams are increasingly willing to gamble on quarterbacks with limited starting experience but high upside, especially when they believe the player fits a specific scheme or culture. The move also underscores the importance of scouting departments that can see beyond the obvious statistics and identify traits that align with a coach’s vision.
As the draft moves into its final day, fans can continue to follow the action live on Sky Sports Main Event, Action, and Mix, with day three concluding on Saturday afternoon. Whether Simpson’s selection proves to be a masterstroke or a misstep will only become clear after he steps onto the field and begins his professional journey with the Los Angeles Rams.