Mel Kiper Jr. flames Rams draft, says Ty Simpson pick 'makes little sense'

Mel Kiper Jr. flames Rams draft, says Ty Simpson pick 'makes little sense' originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Los Angeles Rams, with Matthew Stafford coming back and the team looking poised for an all-in season with a very real chance at the Super Bowl, had the No. 13 pick in the NFL Draft to select an instant-impact player.

Instead, they shocked the world by taking Ty Simpson, the Alabama quarterback, at the 13th pick. It wasn't just a shocker; it was a move that drew heavy criticism from fans and media alike.

After their 2026 NFL Draft was over, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. flamed Les Snead and Sean McVay over this selection of Simpson, saying it "makes little sense" and handing the team a C+ grade for their 2026 NFL Draft class.

Mel Kiper Jr. says Ty Simpson pick 'makes little sense' amid C+ grade

"This still makes little sense," Kiper writes. "When Los Angeles got on the clock at No. 13, Monroe Freeling and Blake Miller were there. Makai Lemon, whom I projected to the Rams in my final mock draft, was still there. It was all lining up for coach Sean McVay and the Rams. But then Los Angeles shocked everyone and took Ty Simpson."

The Rams taking Simpson is a massive blow for their draft grade, and is a move that Kiper still cannot wrap his head around. And it's a move that's hard to comprehend in general, especially with wide receiver Makai Lemon on the board still.

Having a succession plan for Stafford makes sense. There were far better ways to go about it than taking Simpson in the first round.