The NFL Draft never fails to deliver a few jaw‑dropping moments, and Thursday night’s selections provided perhaps the most astonishing surprise of the entire event: 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 break into the first round at all. In the end, the Los Angeles Rams reached for him with the 13th overall pick, a decision that left many pundits scrambling to explain the move.
The reaction was immediate and divided. Fans, analysts, and even the usually upbeat Rams head coach Sean McVay appeared taken aback. On the Sky Sports NFL podcast "Inside the Huddle," analyst Jeff Reinebold admitted he was stunned. "I can’t use the exact words from the podcast, but essentially I’m thinking, ‘Are you kidding me?’" he said, noting that McVay seemed unusually subdued after the announcement.
Reinebold speculated that McVay may have been surprised because the Rams already had a clear plan for quarterback succession involving Matthew Stafford, who still had two years left on his contract and a solid transition timeline. Reinebold described his own thought process during the draft: "I spent the rest of the night trying to piece together why they took Simpson.
I was thinking about Stafford, about the six games of good film and nine games of less impressive film that Simpson produced in college, and about the other pieces the Rams needed at the time." He went on to compare Simpson to the wide receiver Makai Lemon, who was also a Rams pick, saying, "Lemon was a perfect fit – a receiver in rehab, a need for more weapons, and an aging veteran like Davante Adams. Simpson seemed to check enough boxes for the Rams to commit to him for the long term." Simpson now joins a quarterback room led by the 38‑year‑old Matthew Stafford, fresh off an MVP‑caliber season that nearly delivered a Super Bowl appearance. Simpson’s college résumé is modest but respectable. 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.
The season was a tale of two halves: early success gave way to a late‑season slump in which he threw seven touchdowns against four interceptions, raising questions about his consistency and draft stock. Reinebold emphasized the importance of body language, noting that McVay, usually a very expressive and positive figure, appeared unusually restrained when discussing Simpson.
"He wasn’t the guy stepping up to the podium with excitement about Ty Simpson," Reinebold observed, underscoring how unexpected the pick was for the Rams organization. The Rams still have other quarterback options.
Third‑round pick Stetson Bennett, selected from Georgia in 2023, remains on the depth chart, while veteran Jimmy Garoppolo is reportedly weighing retirement. Reinebold drew a parallel between Bennett and Simpson, saying, "Both are quarterbacks who didn’t see a lot of playing time in college, both are accurate, both have solid mechanics, but neither will wow you with raw arm strength or elite physical traits.
If you’re going to take one, you’re choosing a different type of player." The draft night also featured drama on the wide‑receiver side. USC’s Makai Lemon, who had been in talks with the Pittsburgh Steelers and seemed poised to fall to the 21st pick, was instead snatched by the Philadelphia Eagles at 20th overall after General Manager Howie Roseman traded up. Reinebold praised Roseman’s maneuver, calling it “incredible” and suggesting that Lemon’s arrival would give the Eagles a younger, cheaper, faster target who could complement Jalen Hurts and elevate the offense that faced harsh criticism the previous season.
Analysts had compared Lemon to Detroit Lions star Amon‑Ra St. Brown before the draft, and now he will join a talented receiving corps that includes DeVonta Smith, Saquon Barkley, and the ever‑dynamic Hurts.
"He came in looking ready to play immediately," said Eagles analyst Reynolds. "He looks tough, competitive, and his energy fits the narrative of a player who will make big plays for Philadelphia fans." Overall, the Rams’ decision to select Ty Simpson illustrates how NFL teams sometimes prioritize fit, potential upside, and scheme compatibility over conventional draft rankings. While many analysts initially dismissed Simpson as a fringe first‑rounder, the Rams saw a quarterback who could develop behind Stafford, provide depth, and perhaps become a starter in the future.
Whether this gamble pays off will be judged over the next few seasons, but for now, it remains one of the most talked‑about moments of this year’s draft. Fans can continue to follow the unfolding drama as the draft concludes on day three, with live coverage available on Sky Sports Main Event, Action, and Mix.
The Rams’ bold move adds another layer of intrigue to a night already packed with surprise picks and strategic trades, reminding everyone that the NFL Draft is as much about forecasting talent as it is about daring decisions.