Rams select QB Ty Simpson in 2026 NFL Draft

TL;DR

The Los Angeles Rams selected quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, surprising many who expected him to be a later pick. Rams GM Les Snead had previously assured Simpson he would be a first-round selection.

Key points

Rams drafted Ty Simpson with the 13th pick
Simpson had 28 touchdowns and 5 interceptions in 2025
Les Snead assured Simpson he would be a first-round pick

Los Angeles RamsTy SimpsonJalen Milroe

PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 23: Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson poses for a photo on the red carpet for the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) | Getty Images With the 13th pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Rams drafted quarterback Ty Simpson. The move is shocking to almost everybody as there was speculation that Simpson would fall to the second round at worst and would be a late first round pick at best. Instead, the few reports that said that the Rams were very high on Simpson and that he could go earlier than expected have turned out to be true instead. Earlier on Thursday, Ian Rapoport reported that Simpson was convinced to enter the draft by Rams general manager Les Snead by telling the Alabama quarterback that he would be a first round pick. Now Snead has guaranteed that his prediction would come true by drafting Simpson. Simpson started only 15 games in college, all during the 2025 season, after backing up Jalen Milroe over the previous two seasons. Simpson entered a quarterback competition at Alabama in 2025 against two other quarterbacks and ended up winning it out but many remained skeptical that he would prove to be the right choice because he’s not as ‘prototypical” as others in height and athleticism. Simpson is 6’1, 211 lbs. He had 28 touchdowns and five interceptions in 2025, but faltered in the second half when he had previously been considered a favorite to win the Heisman. Lance Zierlein compared him to former Alabama quarterback Mac Jones. Now the Rams have their heir apparent to Matthew Stafford. It’s not apparent that every Rams fans is going to be happy about this, but the Rams have drafted Ty Simpson 13th overall.

Q&A

Why did the Rams draft Ty Simpson in the 2026 NFL Draft?

The Rams drafted Ty Simpson to secure their future quarterback, believing he could be a first-round talent despite speculation he might fall to later rounds.

What are Ty Simpson's college stats from the 2025 season?

In the 2025 season, Ty Simpson threw for 28 touchdowns and 5 interceptions while starting 15 games for Alabama.

How does Ty Simpson compare to other quarterbacks in the draft?

Ty Simpson has been compared to former Alabama quarterback Mac Jones, but some analysts question his prototypical size and athleticism.