The NFL Draft never fails to deliver a few jaw‑dropping moments, and Thursday night added another headline‑grabbing surprise that has fans and analysts buzzing. The most talked‑about selection was Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, whose draft stock had been the subject of heated debate all week. Some pundits projected him as a late first‑round talent, while others doubted he would even crack the top thirty‑two picks. In the end, the Los Angeles Rams reached for him at number thirteen overall, catching many observers off guard.
The pick sparked immediate discussion and divided opinion, and even the usually effervescent Rams head coach Sean McVay appeared unusually restrained in his post‑draft comments. It seemed as though the surprise had taken the wind out of his sails. Sky Sports NFL analyst Jeff Reinebold captured the sentiment perfectly during his appearance on the Inside the Huddle podcast.
"I can't use the exact words from the podcast, but essentially, are you kidding me?" Reinebold said, suggesting that McVay himself might have been startled by the decision. Reinebold went on to explain his own thought process throughout the remainder of the draft.
"I spent the rest of the night trying to make sense of it. I thought, okay, we have Matthew Stafford with two more years left, and we need a clear transition plan," he recounted. He added that the Rams had only a handful of games of high‑quality film on Simpson, contrasted with several outings that were less impressive. Yet the Rams saw something that fit their long‑term vision.
"I looked at Makai Lemon and thought, 'that's a perfect fit,'" Reinebold continued. "You have a receiver in rehab—Puka Nacua—who you can never have too many of, plus a veteran like Davante Adams at the tail end of his career.
In that context, Ty Simpson checked enough boxes for the Rams to commit to him for the future." Simpson now joins a quarterback room anchored by the veteran Matthew Stafford, a 38‑year‑old who just came off an MVP‑caliber season that left him one game shy of the Super Bowl. Simpson’s own college résumé is modest but intriguing. After serving as a backup to Bryce Young and Jalen Milroe at Alabama, he only started one full season.
In that year he completed 305 of 473 attempts for 3,567 yards, throwing 28 touchdowns against five interceptions across 15 starts. The season was a tale of two halves: early on he displayed poise and accuracy, but his performance dipped toward the end, with seven touchdowns to four picks and lingering questions about his draft viability. Reinebold highlighted the importance of body language in evaluating players, noting that McVay—usually known for his upbeat demeanor—seemed unusually subdued when discussing Simpson. "Sean McVay is normally very gregarious and positive, but he wasn’t the kind of guy who stepped up to the podium to champion Ty Simpson," Reinebold observed.
The Rams still have other quarterback options on the roster. 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, but they’re accurate, have solid mechanics, and lack the eye‑popping arm strength or physical gifts of a prototypical franchise QB. If you’re going to take one, you have to decide which profile fits your scheme better." The night also featured drama on the wide‑receiver side of the board. USC’s Makai Lemon, who had been in talks with the Pittsburgh Steelers and seemed poised to fall to the 21st spot, was snatched by the Philadelphia Eagles at the 20th pick after General Manager Howie Roseman traded up.
The move came amid speculation that the Eagles might consider trading star receiver A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots after June 1. Roseman’s maneuver was praised by Reinebold, who called him "incredible" and suggested the Eagles were looking for a younger, cheaper, faster option with a strong work ethic to complement quarterback Jalen Hurts. Analysts had previously likened Lemon to Detroit Lions receiver Amon‑Ra St.
Brown, and now he will join a talented Eagles offense that includes DeVonta Smith, Saquon Barkley and Hurts himself. Reinebold noted the immediate impact Lemon made in his interview: "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.
He’s the kind of gritty player the fan base will love." 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 can pair them with a strong supporting cast of receivers and veteran mentors. Whether Simpson can translate his college flashes of accuracy into a sustainable NFL career remains to be seen, but the Rams have clearly signaled that they view him as a key piece of their future offensive puzzle. Fans can catch day two of the NFL Draft starting at midnight on Friday, with live coverage on Sky Sports Main Event, Action and Mix, and the draft will conclude on day three at 5 p.m.
on Sky Sports Action.