The NFL Draft never fails to deliver a few jaw‑dropping moments, and Thursday night produced perhaps the most startling of them all: the selection of Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. Going into the draft, analysts were split on where Simpson belonged.
Some projected him as a late first‑round talent, while others doubted he would even crack the first round at all. In the end, the consensus proved wrong—Los Angeles Rams reached for Simpson with the 13th overall pick, sparking a wave of debate, division, and a noticeably restrained reaction from head coach Sean McVay, who seemed unusually subdued. Sky Sports NFL analyst Jeff Reinebold captured the sentiment on the "Inside the Huddle" podcast, saying, "I can’t use the exact words from the podcast, but essentially, are you kidding me?" He suggested that McVay might have been genuinely surprised by the Rams’ decision to grab Simpson at that spot.
Reinebold admitted the pick threw him for a loop and that he spent the remainder of the draft trying to rationalize the move. He reflected on the Rams’ quarterback timeline, noting that veteran Matthew Stafford still had two years left on his contract, implying the team already had a transition plan in place.
Reinebold highlighted the mixed tape on Simpson, noting six games of solid film contrasted with nine games that were less impressive. He also referenced wide receiver Makai Lemon, who was recovering from injury at the time, and veteran Davante Adams, who was nearing the end of his career. "I looked at Lemon and thought, ‘that’s a perfect fit,’" Reinebold said.
"You can never have too many quality receivers, and Simpson seemed to check enough boxes for the Rams to commit to him long‑term." Simpson now joins a quarterback room led by Matthew Stafford, a 38‑year‑old who had just finished an MVP‑caliber season that brought the Rams within a single game of the Super Bowl. Simpson’s college résumé is modest: 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 across 15 starts.
His senior year was a tale of two halves; he struggled in the latter part, throwing seven touchdowns to four interceptions and raising questions about his draft stock. Reinebold emphasized his belief in body language, noting that McVay—normally gregarious and upbeat—was unusually restrained when discussing Simpson. "He wasn’t the type to step up to the podium and praise Ty Simpson," Reinebold observed, underscoring how unexpected the pick seemed to the coaching staff.
The Rams still have other quarterback options. Third‑round pick Stetson Bennett, selected out of Georgia in 2023, remains in the mix, while veteran Jimmy Garoppolo is reportedly weighing retirement.
Reinebold drew a comparison between Bennett and Simpson, saying, "Both are quarterbacks who didn’t get a ton of playing time in college. They’re accurate, have good mechanics, but they aren’t going to wow you with raw arm strength or elite physical traits. If you’re going to pick one, you’re choosing a different kind of player." The night also featured drama involving USC wide receiver Makai Lemon, who was taken by the Philadelphia Eagles at the 20th overall spot. Lemon had been in talks with the Pittsburgh Steelers and seemed poised to fall to the 21st pick, but Eagles GM Howie Roseman traded up to secure him.
The move came amid speculation that the Eagles might trade star receiver A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots after June 1.
Reinebold praised Roseman’s maneuver, calling it "incredible" and noting that the Eagles were acquiring a younger, cheaper, faster player with a strong attitude who could become a hero in Philadelphia and elevate quarterback Jalen Hurts. Analysts had previously compared Lemon to Detroit Lions receiver Amon‑Ra St. Brown, and now Lemon will join a talented Philadelphia offense featuring DeVonta Smith, Saquon Barkley and Hurts—a unit that faced heavy criticism last season.
One commentator, Reynolds, said Lemon arrived looking ready to start playing immediately, describing him as tough, competitive, and the type of player Philadelphia fans love. Beyond the quarterback and receiver storylines, the draft continued to generate buzz across multiple platforms. Sky Sports broadcast the second day of the draft live from midnight on Friday, with coverage on Sky Sports Main Event, Action and Mix, and concluded with day three on Saturday at 5 p.m. on Sky Sports Action.
The event not only reshaped team rosters but also sparked endless discussion among fans, analysts, and insiders about the strategic directions of franchises and the future of the league. In summary, the Rams’ selection of Ty Simpson at No. 13 was a surprise that reverberated through the NFL community. It forced a reevaluation of the team’s quarterback succession plan, highlighted the value placed on versatile receivers like Makai Lemon, and underscored the ever‑present uncertainty and excitement that makes the NFL Draft a must‑watch spectacle each year.