The NFL Draft never fails to deliver a few shockers, and Thursday night offered perhaps the most eye‑catching surprise of the evening: the selection of Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. Going into draft week, analysts were split on Simpson's potential.
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 when the Los Angeles Rams chose him with the 13th overall pick. The pick instantly sparked debate among pundits and fans alike, and even prompted a rare, subdued reaction from Rams head coach Sean McVay, whose usually upbeat demeanor seemed muted.
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 show, but essentially, are you kidding me?" He suggested that McVay was probably taken aback by the Rams' decision to reach for Simpson at that spot. Reinebold went on to explain his own thought process during the remainder of the draft. He recalled, "I spent the rest of the night trying to make sense of it.
I was thinking about Matthew Stafford, his contract for two more years, and the transition plan we have in place. There are six games of solid film and nine games that raise concerns." He then compared Simpson to other recent selections, noting, "I looked at Makai Lemon and thought, ‘that’s a perfect fit.’ You have a receiver in rehab—Puka Nacua—and you can never have too many reliable pass‑catchers.
Then there’s a veteran like Davante Adams at the tail end of his career. Simpson checked enough boxes for the Rams to commit to him for the long term." Simpson now joins a quarterback room led by 38‑year‑old Matthew Stafford, who is coming off an MVP‑caliber season that brought the Rams within a single game of the Super Bowl.
Simpson’s college résumé is modest: after backing up 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. The season was split into two distinct halves; he struggled late, throwing seven touchdowns against four interceptions, which fueled questions about his draft stock.
Reinebold emphasized the importance of body language in evaluating players, noting, "Sean McVay is usually very gregarious and positive, but his tone when discussing Simpson was noticeably different." He also highlighted the Rams' 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, saying, "Both are quarterbacks who didn’t log a huge number of college snaps.
They’re accurate, have good mechanics, but they aren’t going to wow you with raw arm strength or athleticism. If you’re going to take one, you need to consider how they differ." The draft night also featured drama surrounding 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, apparently set to fall to the 21st pick, but Eagles general manager Howie Roseman traded up to secure him.
Reinebold praised Roseman's maneuver, calling it "incredible" and suggesting it positioned the Eagles for a younger, cheaper, and faster offensive weapon who could complement quarterback Jalen Hurts. Analysts had compared Lemon to Detroit Lions star Amon‑Ra St. Brown before the draft, and now he will join a talented Eagles receiving corps that includes DeVonta Smith and Saquon Barkley, alongside Hurts.
One commentator, Reynolds, described Lemon’s draft moment: "He came on looking like he wanted to start playing a game right there and then. He looked tough, competitive, and he said Eagles fans are getting a dog. You can feel he’s that kind of player—hard‑nosed, ready to make plays, and exactly the type of personality the Philadelphia fan base loves." Overall, the Rams’ decision to reach for Simpson reflects a broader trend in the league: teams are willing to gamble on players with limited starting experience but who possess a blend of size, arm talent, and developmental upside. By pairing Simpson with a veteran like Stafford, Los Angeles hopes to nurture a future starter while still competing now.
Meanwhile, the Eagles’ aggressive move for Lemon underscores how franchises value versatility and youth at skill positions, especially when they can secure a player ahead of a rival. Fans can catch the remainder of the draft action live on Sky Sports. Day two begins at midnight on Friday across Sky Sports Main Event, Action, and Mix, with the final day wrapping up on Saturday at 5 p.m.
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