The NFL Draft never fails to deliver unexpected twists, and Thursday night produced perhaps the most jaw‑dropping moment of the entire event: the selection of Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. Going into draft week, 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 when the Los Angeles Rams reached for him with the 13th overall pick, sparking a flurry of debate, division, and a noticeably subdued reaction from head coach Sean McVay, who seemed unusually restrained on the podium.
"I can’t quote the exact words from the podcast, but essentially, are you kidding me?" Sky Sports NFL analyst Jeff Reinebold exclaimed on the Inside the Huddle show. He suggested that McVay himself might have been taken aback by the Rams’ decision to grab Simpson at that spot.
"It really knocked me for a loop," Reinebold continued. "I spent the rest of the draft trying to make sense of it. I thought, okay, we have Matthew Stafford for a couple more years, then we’ll have a transition plan in place." Reinebold broke down the film on Simpson, noting that while there were six games of solid performance, there were also nine games that raised concerns. He then compared Simpson to the Rams’ other receiving options, saying, "I looked at Makai Lemon and thought, ‘that’s a perfect fit.’ You have a receiver in rehab—Puka Nacua—plus a veteran like Davante Adams who’s nearing the end of his career.
The Rams needed depth at the position, and they felt Simpson checked enough boxes to merit a long‑term commitment." Simpson now joins a quarterback room led by the 38‑year‑old Matthew Stafford, who is coming off an MVP‑caliber season that saw him within a single game of a Super Bowl appearance. 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. That season unfolded in two distinct halves.
Early on, he displayed poise and accuracy, but his performance waned in the latter part of the year, where he threw seven touchdowns against four interceptions, prompting lingering questions about his draft stock. Reinebold emphasized his belief in body language, observing, "Sean McVay is usually very upbeat and gregarious, but he wasn’t the kind of guy who stepped up to the podium to talk about Ty Simpson. That says a lot about how surprised he might have been." The Rams still have other quarterback options on the roster. Third‑round pick Stetson Bennett, drafted out of Georgia in 2023, remains a viable backup, while veteran Jimmy Garoppolo is reportedly weighing retirement.
Reinebold drew a parallel between Bennett and Simpson, noting that both are players who didn’t log a massive amount of college snaps but possess accuracy and sound mechanics. "They’re not going to wow you with raw arm strength or athleticism, but they’re fundamentally sound. If you’re going to take one, the other offers a different skill set," he explained. The night also featured a dramatic moment involving USC wide receiver Makai Lemon, who was selected 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 general manager Howie Roseman traded up to claim him. This move came 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, calling it “incredible” and suggesting that the Eagles were looking for a younger, cheaper, faster receiver with a strong work ethic to complement quarterback Jalen Hurts. Analysts had previously compared Lemon to Detroit Lions receiver Amon‑Ra St. Brown, and now he will join a talented Philadelphia offense featuring DeVonta Smith, Saquon Barkley and Hurts himself.
Eagles coach Nick Saban (sic – actually Eagles coach) Reynolds described Lemon’s demeanor on draft night: "He came on looking like he wanted to start playing a game right there and then. He looked tough, competitive, and he said these Eagles fans are getting a dog. You feel like he’s that kind of player—hard‑nosed, ready to make plays, and exactly the type of personality the fanbase will love." Beyond the headline picks, the draft continued to unfold across three days of live coverage on Sky Sports, with day two beginning at midnight on Friday and day three concluding at 5 p.m.
on Saturday. The event highlighted the ever‑changing landscape of NFL talent evaluation, where a single surprise selection can ripple through coaching staffs, front offices, and fan discussions alike.
As the Rams integrate Simpson into their system, all eyes will be on how quickly he can adapt to the professional level, learn from veteran Stafford, and potentially become the heir apparent in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, the broader narrative of the draft—filled with unexpected trades, strategic gambles, and the perpetual quest for the next breakout star—remains a testament to the league’s relentless pursuit of competitive advantage.