The NFL Draft never fails to deliver a few surprises, and Thursday night’s selections provided perhaps the most eyebrow‑raising moment of the entire event: the Los Angeles Rams reached for Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick. Simpson’s draft stock had been the subject of heated debate throughout the week. Some analysts 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 majority of those predictions proved wrong when the Rams chose him well before the midway point of the first round.
The reaction was immediate and divided. Fans and pundits alike started a fresh round of debate, while Rams head coach Sean McVay, usually known for his upbeat demeanor, appeared unusually restrained on the sidelines. It was as if the pick had taken him by surprise. Jeff Reinebold of Sky Sports NFL, speaking on the Inside the Huddle podcast, captured the sentiment perfectly: “I can’t put it into words on the podcast, but basically—are you kidding me?
I think Sean McVay was a little shocked that they took Ty Simpson right there.” Reinebold went on to explain how the decision forced him to re‑evaluate the Rams’ entire draft strategy. “It really knocked me for a loop,” he said.
“I spent the rest of the draft trying to piece it together. I was thinking, ‘Okay, we have Matthew Stafford for the next two years, and then we’ll have a transition plan in place.’” He noted that the Rams have a mixed body of film on Simpson: six games of solid performance and nine that were less convincing. Yet the Rams apparently saw enough potential to commit to him for the long term.
The Rams’ quarterback room now features a veteran quarterback in Matthew Stafford, a 38‑year‑old who just came off an MVP‑caliber season that almost carried Detroit to a Super Bowl appearance. Adding Simpson to that mix suggests the organization is looking for a bridge between the present and the future.
Simpson’s college résumé is modest but respectable. After serving as a backup to Bryce Young and Jalen Milroe at Alabama, he earned the starting job for one season, completing 305 of 473 attempts for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns and five interceptions across 15 starts.
His performance was a tale of two halves: early success gave way to a late‑season slump in which he threw seven touchdowns against four interceptions, raising questions about his consistency and draft value. Reinebold highlighted the importance of body language in evaluating a player, noting that McVay’s normally gregarious and optimistic presence was missing when he addressed the media about Simpson. “He’s not the kind of guy who steps up to the podium and talks about Ty Simpson with enthusiasm,” Reinebold observed. The Rams also retain other quarterback options.
Third‑round pick Stetson Bennett, selected out of Georgia in 2023, remains on the roster, and veteran Jimmy Garoppolo is reportedly weighing retirement. Reinebold drew a comparison between Bennett and Simpson, stating, “Both are quarterbacks who didn’t see a lot of playing time in college.
They’re accurate, have good mechanics, but they won’t wow you with raw arm strength or elite athleticism. If you’re going to pick one, you need to decide which skill set fits your scheme better.” The night also featured drama on the wide‑receiver side of the board.
USC’s Makai Lemon, a highly touted receiver, was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles at the 20th overall spot after a last‑minute trade. Lemon had been in talks with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who seemed poised to take him at No.
21, but Eagles general manager Howie Roseman leapt ahead, trading up to secure the player. Reinebold praised Roseman’s move, calling it “incredible” and suggesting that the Eagles were looking for a younger, cheaper, faster option to complement Jalen Hurts and boost the offense that had faced harsh criticism the previous season.
Analysts had previously compared Lemon to Detroit Lions receiver Amon‑Ra St. Brown, and now he will join a talented receiving corps that includes DeVonta Smith, Saquon Barkley and Hurts himself. Eagles analyst Reynolds described Lemon’s draft day demeanor as “tough, competitive, and ready to make an immediate impact.” He added that fans will likely embrace Lemon’s gritty style, likening him to a “dog‑like” player who will do whatever it takes to win.
The Rams’ decision to draft Simpson reflects a broader trend in the league: teams are increasingly willing to take calculated risks on players with limited starting experience but high upside. By selecting a quarterback who showed flashes of brilliance at a storied program like Alabama, Los Angeles signals that they are not merely looking for a stop‑gap but are investing in a developmental project that could pay dividends once he matures under the tutelage of Stafford and McVay. For fans who missed the live coverage, the NFL Draft’s second day aired from midnight on Friday across Sky Sports Main Event, Action and Mix, with the final day wrapping up on Saturday afternoon. The drama, surprise picks, and strategic maneuvering made this year’s draft one of the most intriguing in recent memory, and the ripple effects of decisions like Simpson’s will be analyzed for months to come as the Rams and Eagles look to reshape their rosters for the upcoming season.