The Los Angeles Rams surprised everyone by selecting Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the No. 13 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Heading into Day 2, the Rams are looking to capitalize on available talent to bolster their Super Bowl aspirations.
Key points
Rams picked Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with No. 13 pick
Sean McVay and Les Snead made the surprising choice
Rams are in Super Bowl or bust mode
Well-rounded roster allows for future-focused drafting
Sean McVay and Les Snead chose to take advantage of their positioning just outside of the top 10 thanks to a previous trade with the Atlanta Falcons to bring in the successor to reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford.
But that doesn't change that the Rams are still in Super Bowl or bust mode. With a well-rounded roster devoid of any true holes on both sides of the ball, LA had the luxury of drafting with the future in mind in the first round. After all, there's still plenty of players that can make an impact available in Day 2.
Here's a look at the best players who are likely to still be on the board by the time the Rams pick on Friday.
Las Vegas Raiders – QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft brings franchise‑defining moments as teams make their selections from the top of the board.
See how picks 1 through 32 came off the clock as the next generation of NFL talent enters the league.
New York Jets – OLB/DE David Bailey, Texas Tech
Q&A
Who did the Rams draft with the No. 13 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Rams drafted Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the No. 13 overall pick.
What is the Rams' strategy heading into Day 2 of the NFL Draft?
The Rams aim to enhance their well-rounded roster by selecting impactful players still available.
Why did the Rams choose Ty Simpson as their first-round pick?
The Rams selected Ty Simpson to secure a successor for reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford.
What is the Rams' current team status heading into the NFL Draft?
The Rams are in a 'Super Bowl or bust' mode, indicating high expectations for the upcoming season.
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See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Chicago Bears − S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
26 / 32
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Houston Texans (from Bills) − G Keylan Rutledge
27 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Dolphins (from 49ers) − CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State
28 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
New England Patriots (from Texans via Bills) − OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
29 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Chiefs (from Rams) − DT Peter Woods, Clemson
30 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Jets (from Denver Broncos via Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers) − WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana
31 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Titans (from Patriots via Buffalo Bills) − DE Keldric Faulk, Auburn
32 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Seattle Seahawks − RB Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
Best available players for the Rams in Day 2 of the NFL Draft
Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy is the best player available heading into the second round on Friday, but he'll likely be long gone before the Rams are on the clock with the 61st overall pick. Here are some of the best remaining players that should be available late in the second round for LA, according to USA TODAY Sports' Michael Middlehurst Schwartz:
51. Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
If not for the torn anterior cruciate ligament, Bell would occupy a fascinating place in discussions about the top of the pecking order for receivers. That injury late last season, however, has left a good deal of uncertainty about a player whose contributions depend on his blend of size (6-2, 222 pounds) and acceleration. Bell still has to find his stride as a route runner if he's ever to truly integrate into an offense, but he's already proven he can overwhelm defenders with the ball in his hands.
52. Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
At 6-4 and 318 pounds, Hunter is a big body and even bigger personality. Despite being fairly nimble for a player of his size, he likely maxes out as a space-eater who denies opposing ground game's anything up the middle. There's a distinct value in that, however, as he'll still be a force opposing fronts have to consistently account for.
A former edge rusher at Central Arkansas, Golday is now one of the premier jumbo athletes in his class. He's much more comfortable chasing the ball than diagnosing plays, and quicker keys will be paramount to getting the most out of his linear explosiveness.
54. Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
While he's one of the more impressively built corners in this class, Cisse isn't quite on par with former Gamecocks standout Nick Emmanwori in terms of athleticism. Then again, who is? Rolling with Cisse still requires a leap of faith that he'll sort out his feel for coverage, but Emmanwori's star turn in the NFL might help remind teams to focus on his former teammate's unrealized potential rather than his most recent slip-ups.
Last year's John Mackey Award winner might soon be a tight end in name only. No matter the label, a target who's 6-4 and 239 pounds with serious wheels (4.51-second 40-yard dash) and hops (45 1/2-inch vertical) will be sure to pose problems for defenses. Stowers ultimately figures to be a supersized detached receiver in some form, though getting stronger and coming down with contested catches more often will be critical to his ongoing development.
58. Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State
If he's still known to some solely as Trey's younger brother, he should break out of that rather soon. The 6-3, 204-pound target dominated as a downfield weapon, recording 2,157 receiving yards and 25 scores. Lance demonstrates an appreciation for nuance that suggests his repertoire should grow, though he's still likely in for an extensive acclimation period to the NFL given the significant jump in quality of competition.
Don't pigeonhole him into the same box as recent Tennessee receivers. Yes, the Tulane transfer is a legitimate field stretcher. But even at 6-4 and 198 pounds with plenty of long speed, he's a more fluid and precise route runner than many of the recent Josh Heupel pass catchers who haven't fared particularly well in the pros. He might struggle early to counter receivers who challenge his play strength, but he'll punish anyone who doesn't manage to disrupt him.
63. Chase Bisontis, G, Texas A&M
A good athlete, Bisontis still falls below the desired arm length threshold for many teams even on the interior. But he brings the requisite mindset to get the job done, and a more patient approach to pass protection could make him a solid starter.
64. Gennings Dunker, OT/G, Iowa
A classic tackle-to-guard convert, Dunker launches all comers out of the way whenever he gets a hand on them. Even with the position switch, however, he still has a good deal of work to do in order to become a reliable pass protector.
Slippery and unpredictable, Williams can own the underneath and middle areas of the field. His size and lack of long speed might limit him to working out of the slot, but he can lighten the load for any quarterback and add value on special teams.
66. Kyle Louis, LB, Pitt
The linebacker label might be affixed to the 6-0, 220-pounder somewhat liberally. Whatever you call Louis, there's little question that he's a magnet to the ball. A hybrid role that takes advantage of his coverage upside and playmaking prowess could provide substantial returns for a creative defensive coordinator, but Louis is also prone to being washed out of plays when he can't outmaneuver blockers.
With 15 interceptions in his career, Clark has established himself as one of college football's premier ballhawks. He brings an alpha attitude to every assignment, though teams can weaponize that overconfidence against him with double moves and misdirection. Still, having him on the back end could be a significant deterrent against deep shots.
68. Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona State
Abney isn't shy about getting in the face of bigger receivers, challenging them at the line of scrimmage and on any throws made to his area. Still, his instinctual play might be best suited for a shift to the slot, where his pedestrian long speed and size likely won't be sticking points.
69. Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State
The vertical game will make up a good chunk of Hurst's early responsibilities, and it's not difficult to see why. Of course, those deep shots won't materialize as easily for the 6-4, 206-pound target against much more athletic and instinctual cornerbacks at the next level. Hurst should still stretch defenses and do some damage after the catch, but he must expand his route tree and learn to rely on more than pure straight-line speed if he is to avoid becoming a one-note pass catcher.
70. Max Klare, TE, Ohio State
No one will confuse him for Sadiq or Sowers, but Klare still has intriguing athleticism for a tight end. The Purdue transfer can pull away from linebackers in coverage, and his determination creates consistent run-after-catch opportunities. He profiles more as a complementary piece to a passing attack than a featured target.
