Rams Shock NFL World: Alabama’s Ty Simpson Selected No. 13 Overall

In a move that sent shockwaves through the NFL Draft landscape on Thursday night, the Los Angeles Rams selected Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the No. 13 overall pick. For a franchise that has famously traded away its first-round selections for proven veterans, this decision by general manager Les Snead was not just rare—it was a genuine stunner. Simpson, widely projected as a Day 2 or even Day 3 prospect on many draft boards, now finds himself in the spotlight of Hollywood, tasked with learning behind the reigning NFL MVP, Matthew Stafford.

The pick marks only the second time in the last ten years that Snead has stayed put in the first round. The last time? They selected offensive lineman Logan Bruss in 2022—a pick that didn’t exactly pan out. This time, the Rams didn’t just stay at the table; they rolled the dice on a player whose college tape raised more questions than answers for many analysts. But as Snead and head coach Sean McVay have proven time and again, they see the game differently than the rest of us.

Why Ty Simpson? Breaking Down the Rams’ Unconventional Logic

Let’s be clear: Ty Simpson was not the consensus top quarterback in this class. That honor belonged to Fernando Mendoza, who went No. 1 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders. Simpson, a former five-star recruit from West Tennessee, spent three seasons at Alabama in a quarterback room that included Bryce Young and Jalen Milroe. He started only eight games for the Crimson Tide, completing 62% of his passes for 2,145 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. Those numbers don’t scream “top-15 pick.”

So why did the Rams pull the trigger?

• Arm Talent: Simpson possesses a live, whip-quick arm that can drive the ball into tight windows. His deep ball accuracy, particularly on post routes, is elite.
• Pocket Poise: Despite limited action, he showed an uncanny ability to stand in against SEC pressure and deliver strikes. He doesn’t panic.
• System Fit: McVay’s offense demands a quarterback who can process pre-snap reads and get the ball out on time. Simpson’s background in Nick Saban’s pro-style system makes him a schematic match.
• Developmental Ceiling: The Rams believe his best football is ahead of him. He was never the full-time starter in Tuscaloosa, meaning his raw tools are largely untapped.

“We had a first-round grade on him. Period,” Snead told reporters after the pick. “We know what the noise says. We don’t draft for the noise. We draft for the player. Ty has the makeup, the arm, and the mind to be a long-term franchise quarterback in this league.”

The Stafford Shadow: Backup Role and the MVP Factor

Let’s address the elephant in the room. The Rams already have Matthew Stafford, who just completed an MVP season at age 37. He threw for 4,500 yards, 38 touchdowns, and led the Rams to the NFC Championship Game. He is the undisputed leader of this offense. McVay wasted no time making that clear.

“Let’s make one thing crystal clear: This is Matthew’s team,” McVay said. “Ty is coming in to learn, to grow, and to be the best backup we can have. He is not being drafted to compete for the starting job in 2025. That is not the plan.”

This is a critical distinction. The Rams are not in a rebuild. They are in a win-now window, leveraging Stafford’s elite play and a stout defense. Drafting a quarterback in the first round—especially one considered a reach—suggests the front office is thinking about life after Stafford, perhaps as early as 2026 or 2027. For now, Simpson will be the clipboard holder, running the scout team and absorbing McVay’s complex offense from the sideline.

Expert analysis: This is a high-risk, high-reward move. If Simpson develops into a starter, the Rams have their heir apparent on a cheap rookie contract. If he busts, the Rams wasted a premium pick on a player who might never see the field in a meaningful role. The pressure on McVay’s coaching staff to develop Simpson will be immense.

Draft Reaction: Shock, Skepticism, and a Little Bit of Genius

The NFL Draft is a theater of emotions, and the Rams’ pick provided one of the most dramatic moments of the first round. Social media exploded with confusion. Analysts on ESPN and NFL Network scrambled to find tape on Simpson that justified the selection. Some called it a “reach of epic proportions.” Others praised the Rams for being bold.

“I’ll be honest, I didn’t see this coming,” said one AFC scout who spoke on condition of anonymity. “Simpson is a talented kid, but he’s raw. He needs reps. Taking him at 13 means you believe he’s a top-10 talent in this class. That’s a bet on projection, not production.”

However, there is a method to the madness. The Rams have a history of hitting on unconventional picks. They drafted Aaron Donald (a tweener defensive tackle) and Cooper Kupp (a small-school receiver) when others passed. They traded for Stafford and won a Super Bowl. Snead and McVay operate with a “f*** them picks” mentality—but this time, they actually used one.

Key factors that influenced the pick:

• Quarterback scarcity: After Mendoza went No. 1, the next tier of QBs (Simpson, a few others) was thin. The Rams feared losing him if they traded back.
• No trade offers: Snead admitted they fielded calls but didn’t like the value. “We had our guy. We took him.”
• Stafford’s age: At 37, the Rams need a succession plan. Waiting until 2026 might be too late.

Predictions: What Does the Future Hold for Ty Simpson in Los Angeles?

Predicting the trajectory of a raw rookie quarterback is a fool’s errand, but we can make educated guesses based on the Rams’ roster construction and coaching philosophy. Here are three scenarios for Simpson’s career in LA:

Scenario 1: The Patient Successor (Most Likely)
Simpson spends 2025 as the No. 2, learning behind Stafford. He plays sparingly, maybe in garbage time or if Stafford misses a game. In 2026, Stafford begins to show signs of decline. Simpson takes over in 2027 and becomes a top-15 starter. This is the ideal path.

Scenario 2: The Immediate Contributor (Less Likely)
Stafford suffers an injury early in 2025, and Simpson is thrust into the lineup. He plays well enough to keep the Rams competitive, but the offense becomes more conservative. McVay adapts his scheme to fit Simpson’s legs and arm. This would accelerate the timeline but risk stunting Simpson’s long-term growth.

Scenario 3: The Bust (The Risk)
Simpson never adjusts to NFL speed. His accuracy issues from college (he had a 62% completion rate) worsen against pro defenses. He becomes a career backup, and the Rams are back to square one at quarterback in 2027. This is the nightmare scenario that critics fear.

Personally, I lean toward Scenario 1. McVay is one of the best offensive minds in football, and Stafford is the perfect mentor. Simpson has the physical tools and the right attitude. The pick was a reach, but the plan is sound.

Conclusion: A Gamble That Defines the Rams’ Future

The Los Angeles Rams have never been a franchise that plays it safe. From the “F them picks” era to the blockbuster trade for Stafford, they operate on the edge. Selecting Ty Simpson at No. 13 is the latest example of their willingness to bet on talent over conventional wisdom. It is a move that could either be remembered as the moment they found their next franchise quarterback—or the moment they wasted a golden opportunity.

For now, the ball is in Simpson’s hands. He will sit, he will learn, and he will wait. The Rams’ championship window is open now, thanks to Stafford. But the future? That belongs to the kid from Alabama who nobody expected to hear called on Thursday night. In Los Angeles, the show must go on—and Ty Simpson just became the most intriguing understudy in the NFL.

Final take: Don’t sleep on this pick. The Rams know what they’re doing. And if Ty Simpson reaches his ceiling, the rest of the league will be asking themselves one question: Why didn’t we see this coming?

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.