Rams Pass on Proven Talent for a Long-Term Quarterback Plan with its First Round Pick

On The Rampage: The Rams’ No. 13 Pick Reflects a Misread of Timing, Urgency, and Draft Value

Apr 24, 2026

Rams’ Selection of Ty Simpson at No. 13 Raises Questions About Timing and Draft Value

The Los Angeles Rams used the 13th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, a decision that immediately shifted attention away from the roster’s current trajectory and toward a longer-term projection at the most important position in the game. For a team structured to compete now, the selection stands out not because of the player alone, but because of the context surrounding it.

At the time of the pick, the board still offered players expected to contribute immediately. Rueben Bain Jr. remained available and was selected at No. 14. The Philadelphia Eagles then traded up to secure Mikael Lemon. Both players project as contributors in the near term at positions where performance is measured on every snap. The Rams passed on both. They also passed on Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq, who, despite the Rams’ existing depth at the position, was widely regarded as one of the strongest overall prospects still available.

The selection becomes more difficult to reconcile when placed alongside the current quarterback situation. Matthew Stafford remains the starter and continues to perform at a level that supports contention, especially considering he was the MVP last season. His contract runs through the 2026 season, and while there has been periodic discussion about retirement, the organization has maintained a flexible, year-to-year approach rather than signaling an immediate transition.

“We’ve been like that,” head coach Sean McVay said when asked about Stafford’s status. “You’ll probably see us put another year in there as kind of a placeholder, like we’ve done each of the last couple years. But he’s earned the right to be able to be on a year-to-year basis, and that’s something that we’re comfortable with out of respect for him. And hopefully he continues to say, every year, ‘I’m ready to go again.’”

That framework suggests continuity rather than urgency. Stafford is “ready to go again” this season, and beyond 2026 remains open-ended rather than defined.

The organization has clearly been thinking about succession. During the 2025 draft, the Rams moved their first-round pick and acquired a future asset, which ultimately became the selection used on Simpson. They have acknowledged those internal discussions as part of their long-term planning. “I think you’re always talking about those types of things,” McVay said when asked about a quarterback succession plan prior to the draft. Both McVay and general manager Les Snead also confirmed that Stafford was part of the conversation leading into the decision to select Simpson.

Simpson’s profile aligns with what the Rams value at the position. In 2025, he threw for 3,567 yards and 28 touchdowns while completing 64.5 percent of his passes. He threw only five interceptions across 473 attempts, reflecting a level of ball security that stands out within Alabama’s history. His performance in play-action situations, where he posted a 121.4 passer rating, fits directly into an offensive system that relies heavily on that structure. He also demonstrated the ability to make high-level throws in the intermediate range, particularly between 10 and 19 yards, where timing and accuracy are essential.

2026 NFL Draft: Quarterback Ty Simpson, Alabama, Round 1, Pick 13

McVay has been consistent in describing what he looks for in a quarterback. “Being able to throw the ball with accuracy and anticipation and being an extension of the coaching staff,” he said. “Basically, if you said all the things that make Matthew so special and great, those are the things that you’d love to be able to try to find. You’re not naive to think those things exist. But decision making, accuracy, anticipation and being able to play with timing and rhythm—those are some of the most important things.”

Those traits define Simpson’s evaluation. On tape, he shows the ability to process quickly and operate within structure, delivering the ball with timing and precision. He was productive in his one full season as a starter and led Alabama to the College Football Playoff, earning Second-Team All-SEC honors.

At the same time, his profile is based on a limited sample. He started one full season and showed periods of inconsistency late in the year. That evaluation places him in a category where projection plays a significant role. Using the 13th overall pick on that type of profile introduces a different level of risk than selecting a player with a longer track record of production.

The decision also reflects a broader shift in priority. The Rams have a roster capable of competing immediately and a quarterback still playing at a high level. Selecting Simpson indicates a willingness to allocate a premium asset toward a future transition rather than present reinforcement. That approach assumes both that Simpson will develop into a starting-caliber player and that the current roster does not require additional impact at the positions that were available at the time of the pick.

That type of decision is often evaluated against historical outcomes. Growing up in the Philadelphia region and attending the University of Maryland during the Len Bias era, there is a clear understanding of how a single draft decision can shape a franchise. The Philadelphia 76ers held the No. 1 pick in 1986 and chose to move it, tying themselves to short-term pieces that barely contributed, including the sequence involving Roy Hinson and the subsequent Jeff Ruland trade. The long-term impact of that decision extended well beyond the moment itself. In practical terms, the outcome was so poor that even the alternative of drafting Bias and losing him immediately to death, would have left the franchise in a stronger position than what followed over the next several years and almost two decades until they went deep into the Playoffs.

That is the same lens applied here. With a different decision on defense, the Rams could have added Rueben Bain Jr. to a front that already includes Byron Young and Jared Verse. The potential impact of that combination is not difficult to project, particularly within the current defensive structure.

I also remember when the New York Jets selected Ken O’Brien over Dan Marino in 1983, the reaction was immediate, with fans questioning the selection as it was announced. The fans at Radio City Music Hall literally boo’ed just like I gasped last night when I did not see Roger Goodell’s mouth saying “Ruben” and I get it, O’Brien went on to have a productive career, but the decision is remembered for passing on a Hall of Fame quarterback. The same principle applied in 1995, when the Jets selected Kyle Brady while Warren Sapp remained available, prompting the now-famous “WE WANT SAPP” reaction. In 1989, after the selection of Jeff Lageman, Mel Kiper Jr. publicly questioned the organization’s approach, stating, “It’s obvious to me that the Jets just don’t understand what the draft is all about.”

Those examples persist because of the comparison between the player selected and the player who was available. That same standard will apply here.

The Rams have identified Simpson as a potential successor to Stafford and placed him in a situation where he can develop without immediate pressure. He will spend his first season as a backup, learning within an offensive system that emphasizes the same traits he has already shown. The long-term plan is clear.

The short-term impact is not.

For a team with a roster capable of competing at a high level, the decision to use the 13th pick on a quarterback who is not expected to play immediately places the emphasis on future stability rather than present opportunity. That balance between long-term planning and immediate contribution is where the evaluation of this decision will ultimately be focused.

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