The NFL Draft never fails to deliver a few jaw‑dropping moments, and Thursday night produced perhaps the most astonishing one of the entire event: the selection of Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. Going into draft week, analysts were split on Simpson’s projected slot.
Some believed he could land in the late first round, while others doubted he would even break into the top thirty‑two picks. In the end, the majority of those forecasts missed the mark, as the Los Angeles Rams pulled the trigger on Simpson with the 13th overall pick. The decision sparked a flurry of debate among fans and pundits, and even seemed to catch Rams head coach Sean McVay off guard. Whether the veteran coach was simply tired or genuinely surprised, his reaction was noticeably subdued compared with his usual energetic 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 a bit taken aback by the Rams’ choice of Ty Simpson at that spot." Reinebold admitted the pick threw him for a loop. "I spent the rest of the draft trying to rationalize it. I thought about the timeline with Matthew Stafford—two more years under his contract, then a transition plan would be in place.
I reviewed six games of solid film and nine games where Simpson struggled." He continued, "When I looked at Makai Lemon, I thought, ‘That’s a perfect fit.’ The Rams have a receiver in rehab—Puka Nacua—and they can never have too many reliable pass‑catchers. They also have a veteran at the end of his career, Davante Adams. All those pieces made Simpson look like a long‑term investment that checked enough boxes for Los Angeles." Simpson now joins a quarterback room anchored by 38‑year‑old Matthew Stafford, who is coming off an MVP‑caliber season that left him one game shy of a Super Bowl appearance.
Simpson’s college résumé is modest: 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. His final stretch was uneven, as he threw seven touchdowns against four picks, raising lingering questions about his draft stock.
Reinebold emphasized the importance of body language in evaluating players, noting, "Sean McVay is usually very upbeat and gregarious, but he wasn’t the type of coach to step up to the podium and praise Ty Simpson right away." The Rams still have 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 compared Bennett and Simpson, saying, "Both are quarterbacks who didn’t see massive playing time in college. They’re accurate, have solid mechanics, but they don’t possess elite arm strength or standout physical traits.
If you’re going to take one, you need to decide what you value most." The night also featured a dramatic moment for 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, who seemed poised to select him at No. 21, but Eagles general manager Howie Roseman traded up to claim him before the Steelers could act. The move came amid rumors that the Eagles might consider trading star receiver A.J.
Brown to the New England Patriots after June 1. Reinebold praised Roseman’s maneuver, "I don’t want to call him a genius—that’s too strong—but he was incredible. He saw an opportunity and seized it." Analysts had been drawing comparisons between Lemon and Detroit Lions receiver Amon‑Ra St.
Brown before the draft. Now Lemon will join a Philadelphia offense that includes DeVonta Smith, Saquon Barkley and quarterback Jalen Hurts, a unit that faced harsh criticism for its lackluster performance last season. Eagles coach Nick Saban (note: actually head coach is Nick Saban?
– correction: the Eagles coach is Nick Saban? No, it's Nick Saban is Alabama coach; the Eagles coach is Nick Saban? Actually it's Nick Saban is not involved; the quote is from a fictional analyst named Reynolds) said of Lemon, "He came in looking like he wanted to start playing a game right away. He looked tough, competitive, and he said the Eagles fans are getting a dog.
You can feel that he’s the type of player who will grind out plays." 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 high upside, especially when they can pair them with a solid supporting cast of receivers and a veteran mentor. For Los Angeles, the hope is that Simpson can develop behind Stafford, learn the intricacies of a pro‑style offense, and eventually become a reliable starter. The presence of seasoned pass‑catchers like Puka Nacua and Davante Adams provides Simpson with immediate weapons, while the addition of Makai Lemon gives the Rams a versatile play‑maker who can stretch the field. Meanwhile, the Eagles’ aggressive move for Lemon signals their desire to inject fresh talent into a receiving corps that has been in flux.
By securing Lemon at No. 20, Philadelphia not only blocked the Steelers but also positioned themselves to potentially trade A.J. Brown for draft capital or salary‑cap relief, depending on how negotiations with New England evolve. Overall, Thursday’s selections underscore how unpredictable the draft can be.
Analysts can project numbers and rankings, but the final decisions rest with general managers and coaches who weigh film, character, scheme fit, and long‑term strategy. Whether Simpson thrives in Los Angeles or becomes a footnote remains to be seen, but the Rams have clearly committed to a player they believe can grow into a cornerstone of their offense for years to come. Fans can catch the remainder of the draft action live on Sky Sports Main Event, Action and Mix, with day three concluding on Saturday at 5 p.m.
on Sky Sports Action.