The NFL Draft never fails to deliver a few shockers, and Thursday night’s most eye‑catching moment involved Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. Going into the draft, analysts were split: some projected Simpson as a late first‑round talent, while others doubted he would even crack the first round. In the end, the Los Angeles Rams reached for him with the 13th overall selection, catching many observers off guard. The unexpected pick sparked immediate debate and left Rams head coach Sean McVay looking unusually subdued.
Whether he was simply fatigued or genuinely surprised, his reaction was noticeably restrained compared to his usual animated demeanor. "I can’t quote the exact words from the podcast, but essentially it was, ‘Are you kidding me?’" Sky Sports NFL analyst Jeff Reinebold said on the Inside the Huddle show. "I think Sean McVay was taken aback by the decision to take Ty Simpson right there. 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 two more years, and then we’ll have a transition plan.’" Reinebold continued, "There are six games of solid film and nine games that are less impressive. I looked at Makai Lemon and thought, ‘That’s a perfect fit.’ You have a receiver in rehab—Puka Nacua—you can never have enough good receivers, and you also have a veteran like Davante Adams winding down his career.
Yet the Rams saw something in Simpson that checked enough boxes for a long‑term commitment." Simpson now joins a quarterback room anchored by 38‑year‑old Matthew Stafford, who just finished an MVP‑caliber season that left him one win shy of the Super Bowl. After spending his college years behind Bryce Young and Jalen Milroe at Alabama, Simpson only started one full season.
In that year he completed 305 of 473 attempts for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns and five interceptions across 15 starts. The season unfolded in two distinct halves: early success gave way to a late‑season slump where he threw seven touchdowns against four interceptions, raising questions about his draft stock.
Reinebold emphasized the importance of body language, noting, "Sean McVay is usually very gregarious and positive, but he wasn’t the guy who stepped up to the podium to talk about Ty Simpson." The Rams still have 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 compared Bennett and Simpson, saying, "Both are players who didn’t get massive 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 take one, you’re choosing a different kind of project." Another dramatic moment came when USC wide receiver Makai Lemon was taken by the Philadelphia Eagles at the 20th overall spot. Lemon had been in talks with the Pittsburgh Steelers, seemingly poised to fall to the 21st pick, but Eagles general manager Howie Roseman traded up to secure him.
This move occurred amid swirling rumors that the Eagles might trade star receiver A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots after June 1. Reinebold praised Roseman’s maneuver, "I don’t want to call it genius because that’s a strong word, but he was incredible. The talk before the draft was all about A.J.
Brown possibly moving after June 1. The Eagles opted for a younger, cheaper, faster player with a great attitude—someone who wants to be there and can become a hero for Philadelphia." Analysts had previously likened Lemon to Detroit Lions receiver Amon‑Ra St. Brown, and now he will join a Philadelphia offense featuring DeVonta Smith, Saquon Barkley and quarterback Jalen Hurts—an attack that faced heavy criticism last season. Eagles analyst Reynolds observed, "He came on looking like he wanted to start playing a game right then and there.
He looked tough, competitive, and he said these Eagles fans are getting a dog. He’s the kind of gritty player fans will love." The Rams’ decision to draft Simpson reflects a broader trend in the league: teams are increasingly willing to gamble on quarterbacks with limited starting experience but strong fundamentals, hoping to develop them under veteran mentorship.
With Stafford’s contract entering its final years, the Rams appear to be constructing a pipeline that could see Simpson take over once the veteran retires or moves on. Meanwhile, the Eagles’ acquisition of Lemon adds depth to a receiving corps that lost a premier talent in Brown. By securing a player with a reputation for precise route running and reliable hands, Philadelphia hopes to maintain its offensive firepower while giving Hurts a fresh weapon. Both picks illustrate how the draft can reshape team strategies in a single night, turning speculation into reality and forcing fans and analysts alike to reassess their preseason narratives.
As the draft moves into its final day, more surprises are likely, and the ripple effects of Thursday’s selections will continue to be felt throughout the league. Fans can watch the remainder of the NFL Draft live on Sky Sports Main Event, Action and Mix, with day three concluding on Saturday at 5 p.m. on Sky Sports Action.