After acquiring a first-round pick from the Falcons at last year’s draft, the Rams entered this offseason with two No. 1s. They were scheduled to select 13th and 29th until general manager Les Snead made yet another win-now move in a March trade with the Chiefs. Snead gave up No. 29 in a package for star cornerback Trent McDuffie, whose presence should boost the Rams’ Super Bowl chances next season.
Once the Rams lost the 29th pick, their odds of using a first-rounder on a developmental quarterback reportedly decreased. Expectations were they would look for immediate aid at No. 13, where USC wide receiver Makai Lemon and Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq were still on the board. Either could have improved an already formidable offense and provided another weapon for quarterback Matthew Stafford. However, instead of drafting Lemon, Sadiq or another pro-ready prospect, Snead decided to take a long-term gamble on Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson.
With Stafford entering his age-38 season and the unproven Stetson Bennett as the Rams’ only other quarterback, it is not surprising they drafted a passer. It did come as a shock that they spent their top pick on one, though, especially in a weak class for the position.
Simpson was considered the second-best QB available throughout the pre-draft process, trailing Raiders No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza, but there was some doubt he would go in the first round. After making a mere 15 starts at Alabama, Simpson entered the draft as a polarizing prospect. He had Snead in his corner all along, though. Even before Simpson officially left school in January, Snead had a first-round grade on him. He said as much to Simpson’s father, Tennesee-Martin head coach Jason Simpson, back in December.
While there was talk that Rams head coach Sean McVay was unhappy with the Ty Simpson pick in the immediate aftermath, he and Snead “were on the same page on this,” Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic said as a guest on Check The Mic with Steve Palazzolo & Sam Monson. Rodrigue added that the Rams would not have taken Simpson without McVay’s blessing.
If Simpson stayed in school for his senior season, the 23-year-old could have taken a $6.5MM offer from Miami to transfer and replace Cardinals third-rounder Carson Beck, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Had he fallen out of the first round, Simpson would have made more money playing for the Hurricanes in 2026. As the 13th overall pick, though, he will sign a four-year deal worth a fully guaranteed $25.41MM.
At least from a financial standpoint, Simpson made the right move leaving college for the pros. The question is: Did the Rams make the right move when they picked him? Vote in PFR’s latest poll and weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section.
Grade the Ty Simpson pick
Drafting a backup qb while trying to contend is a F. Stafford is WAY better than Smith was when KC took Mahomes and the Rams were way closer to a superbowl then the Smith led Chiefs too.
C grade from me. Thought it was pretty dumb to not pick an impact player that could help them this year, or if you were gonna draft Simpson, trade back a bit because definitely didn’t need to pick him at 13.
That being said, it’s not a bad idea to have him learn for a few years under mcvay and Stafford.
I’d give it a more passable grade than all the reports of McVay and Snead being in “lockstep” that have followed since.
Given that the Rams are perennial contenders and rarely have a top 10-15 pick. .. smart move. Ty Simpson can sit and develop instead of getting rushed before he’s ready.
I gave the move a C grade. Too many teams wait too long with QBs in the twilight of their career and then they end up scrambling to see if Joe Flacco or Philip Rivers is still available. I have no idea if Simpson is a guy worth transitioning to but the Rams are trying to get ahead of a potential disaster if Matty misses extended time and that makes a lot of sense to me.
Gave them a D, both for drafting a backup during their contending window but also for not trading back. You cannot convince me anyone else was that high on him.
This was a case of fear of loss.
IF they knew they were going to take Simpson in the first round, trade back or better yet, make the 13 pick part of the KC trade and get something back right then (lower round pick or something) and use the 29 pick on Simpson.
They reached way too much on the pick.
That’s why I graded it a D…
Major reach but is what it is not like LA fans care lol
Can’t believe the marketing spin that McVay was on board with this pick….does this mean they go into the season with Stafford as the only guy with experience since they most likely aren’t going to pay Jimmy G to be his backup when they have Stetson who they’ve protected as if he’s Gold, and now Simpson who won’t even be holding a clipboard….they could have had a stud at 13 but instead Snead opted for a QB who wouldn’t even be in the top 5 in a normal QB year. God forbid Stafford goes down there goes their playoff window.
How can it be anything other than an F? They drafted a guy they didn’t need way too high. They almost never pick that high, so this was their chance to get an impact player to push them over the SB edge. Instead, they drafted a guy who MIGHT play in a couple years.
It’s impossible to grade draft picks this early. Ask me in 5 years.