The Los Angeles Rams drafted Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson at No. 13, potentially signaling a future transition from veteran Matthew Stafford. This decision has sparked debate over whether it was a strategic move or an overreach in a weak quarterback draft class.
Key points
Rams drafted Ty Simpson at No. 13 in the NFL Draft
Matthew Stafford was informed about the decision
Simpson is seen as a potential heir-apparent to Stafford
Debate exists over the value of Simpson in a weak QB draft
Rams may be planning for the future despite current success
Mentioned in this story
Matthew StaffordTy SimpsonKirk CousinsMichael Penix Jr.
Los Angeles RamsAtlanta Falcons
There’s no small irony in the fact that the Los Angeles Rams used the pick they received from the Atlanta Falcons to choose an heir-apparent quarterback with a veteran QB already on the roster. Two years ago, the Falcons did the same thing, drafting Michael Penix Jr. shortly after signing Kirk Cousins.
But unlike the Falcons, the Rams made certain to give Matthew Stafford the heads-up that they would be drafting his possible replacement, Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Stafford has also built up a bit of equity that Cousins hadn’t in Atlanta; winning both an MVP and a Super Bowl gives you a bit of leverage.
In the first true shock of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Rams took Simpson at No. 13, long before most big boards’ projections. So is Los Angeles reaching, overvaluing a marginal quarterback in a QB-shallow draft pool? Or are the Rams playing 3-D chess, checkmating the rest of the NFL and keeping their dynasty going before it even shows cracks?
Either way, the results won’t be in for several seasons … which is a bold angle to take with a high pick.
Clearly, the Rams used that draft pick like a found $20 bill, spending it on a want rather than a need. Los Angeles was already one of the best teams in the NFL last season, and could afford to splurge on rich-get-richer luxury.
Q&A
Why did the Rams draft Ty Simpson at No. 13 in the NFL Draft?
The Rams drafted Ty Simpson to secure a potential heir-apparent to quarterback Matthew Stafford, indicating a long-term strategy for the team's future.
How does Matthew Stafford feel about the Rams drafting a quarterback?
Matthew Stafford was informed ahead of time about the Rams' decision to draft Ty Simpson, suggesting a level of communication and respect for his position.
What does Ty Simpson's selection mean for the Rams' future?
Ty Simpson's selection could indicate the Rams' plans to transition away from Stafford in the coming seasons, aiming to maintain their competitive edge.
Is Ty Simpson considered a good pick in a weak quarterback draft class?
Opinions are divided on Ty Simpson's value, with some questioning if the Rams overvalued him given the overall lack of depth in this year's quarterback draft pool.
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PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: Ty Simpson of Alabama celebrates after being selected thirteenth overall pick by the Los Angeles Rams during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Ty Simpson of Alabama celebrates after being selected 13th overall pick by the Los Angeles Rams. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
(Emilee Chinn via Getty Images)
The draft ROI issue with picking a quarterback when you’ve already got a quarterback, of course, is that the new guy (presumably) won’t help you win in Week 1. Barring catastrophe, drafting a QB for development rather than immediate need is a long-term investment … and a high first round pick isn’t generally one you use on a long-term investment.
Yes, Stafford was the MVP last season, but even he can’t play forever — he’s 38, beyond the age when virtually every quarterback not named Tom Brady began sliding downhill. And if all goes as expected on-field for the Rams, and if Los Angeles isn’t able to find a team as hospitable-slash-desperate as Atlanta prior to the stacked-QB 2027 draft, well, they could be sending Stafford into the sunset with no clear successor. Jimmy Garoppolo has flirted with the idea of retirement, Stetson Bennett isn’t a long-term answer.
Simpson could well follow the Green Bay path of Jordan Love, who sat for two years behind Aaron Rodgers. With two seasons to watch a Hall of Famer at work, Love entered his third year fully ready … and Green Bay has won 29 games and made the playoffs in all three seasons he’s started since.
For Simpson, this pick is like hitting a flush on the river. He was perhaps the last patient player college football will ever see. Recruited by Nick Saban, he waited his turn behind Jalen Milroe before finally starting last season. Reliably dependable, occasionally spectacular, he faded as the season went on, carrying the entire load for an erratic Alabama offense. He returned the Tide to the College Football Playoff, but was unable to do much against Indiana in the Rose Bowl. (He and Alabama weren’t alone in that particular struggle.)
Simpson said during the offseason that he turned down NIL offers in the neighborhood of $6 million to play one more year. Had he slid to the second round or lower, that would have looked like a disastrous mistake; now, his decision to turn pro looks both prescient and profitable.
The Saban imprimatur alone may have given Simpson the early benefit of the doubt; the five Alabama quarterbacks before him are all still on NFL rosters. But he’s smaller than most current quarterbacks, and questions still persist about his arm strength, his decisionmaking and his battle-ready skills — he’s only started 15 games, after all.
Yahoo’s Charles McDonald gave the pick an F: “An undersized QB without great traits going this high doesn’t make much sense … Maybe sitting on the bench behind Stafford will unlock some latent talent in Simpson, but the back half of his season was legitimately not good.”
The verdict on the Ty Simpson pick won’t come down until 2027 at least. By then, it will be far too late for the Rams to do anything but live with it … for better or worse.
