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The Los Angeles Rams kept their interest in drafting Ty Simpson under wraps, surprising many by selecting the Alabama quarterback with the No. 13 pick instead of expected choice Makai Lemon. Simpson had minimal interaction with Rams scouts prior to the draft.
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The Los Angeles Rams were secretive about their plans for the No. 13 pick. But multiple sources expected the Rams to draft USC wide receiver Makai Lemon. Instead, Los Angeles shockingly selected Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson.
Apr 24, 2026; Inglewood, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams first-round draft pick Ty Simpson speaks to media during a press conference at Code Next at Hollywood Park. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
After he was drafted on Thursday, Simpson told reporters he only had a âbriefâ interaction with some Rams scouts at Alabamaâs Pro Day workout.
On Monday, Simpson revealed he had actually had a secret meeting with Rams coach Sean McVay that lasted hours before the draft. Simpson said the franchise wanted to keep their interest in him a secret for as long as they could.
âWe tried to keep this under wraps as long as we could,â Simpson said in an interview with Ian Fitzsimmons on ESPN Radioâs âAmber & Ianâ on Monday. âIt was something to where I knew they were interested, but they wanted to make it private and didnât want people to know that they were interested.
The Rams surprised analysts by selecting Ty Simpson, indicating a strategic decision that diverged from expectations to draft Makai Lemon.
Ty Simpson mentioned he had only a 'brief' interaction with Rams scouts during Alabama's Pro Day workout.
The Rams' No. 13 pick was significant as it marked a pivotal moment for the team's future, showcasing their choice to invest in a quarterback like Ty Simpson.
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âSo, I had some secret meetings with Coach McVay, and I just was trying to be on script and do what everybody told me and not to tell anybody.â
Simpson said he spoke with McVay for multiple hours strictly about football and how he would be coached on the Rams. The All-SEC Second Team selection said the conversation made him excited about the possibility of playing for the Rams.
âIt was just straight football,â Simpson said to Fitzsimmons. âAnd it was like a kid in a candy store. Me and him are sitting there, and weâre just going back and forth. You can tell the obsession he has for the game, and you can tell the love he has for quarterback play.
âItâs something that I appreciate, and itâs something that I enjoy because I really enjoy playing the position and value the position. So, being with him and then getting to know him and then just seeing a little bit of how I would get coached if I was fortunate enough to go there was something that I couldnât have asked for a better situation.â
Simpson will start his NFL career as a backup for reigning NFL Most Valuable Player, Matthew Stafford. Joining the Rams gives Simpson the chance to learn from a veteran quarterback before eventually taking on a starting role in the future.
Photo Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
The post Rams Wanted to Keep Interest in Drafting Ty Simpson A Secret appeared first on LA Sports Report.