Rams draft Simpson to succeed Stafford in early shocker

The Los Angeles Rams selected Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson 13th overall in Round 1 of the NFL draft Thursday.

Rams head coach Sean McVay told reigning MVP Matthew Stafford earlier Thursday that the franchise intended to take Simpson in hopes that he can succeed the veteran signal-caller, according to Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer.

“He was great,” McVay said Thursday when asked about Stafford’s reaction to the Simpson pick, according to Adam Grosbard of the LA Daily News. “He’s always a stud in every sense of the word.”

McVay noted that drafting Simpson doesn’t impact contract negotiations with Stafford. The 2026 season is slated to be Stafford’s last year under contract.

Simpson also revealed that he had little contact with the Rams during the pre-draft process.

“I really had no clue,” Simpson said.

Simpson is the first quarterback the Rams have selected in the first round since Jared Goff, whom the team eventually traded for Stafford.

The Alabama product became the second passer to go in Round 1 this year after Fernando Mendoza, who landed with the Las Vegas Raiders as the first overall pick.

Simpson became Alabama’s full-time starting quarterback in 2025, throwing for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns, and five interceptions.

The Rams entered the offseason with two first-round picks at their disposal, but they traded away their later pick in March to acquire All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie from the Kansas City Chiefs.

Simpson’s predraft profile

Simpson probably could have used another year in school. He showed flashes of being a first-round prospect early in his lone season as a starter, combining solid arm talent and athleticism with an ability to work through progressions and navigate the pocket. But it ultimately amounted to an extraordinarily small sample of high-level production, as the Alabama product’s play fell off toward the end of the season. Simpson reportedly dealt with injuries during that stretch, which may explain his struggles. Still, the point remains – his next team is effectively taking a swing on a quarterback based on a handful of promising games.

Simpson offers upside if a team can give him the necessary time to develop. His ability to work the middle of the field in rhythm and make plays outside the pocket will be particularly appealing for offenses on the Shanahan tree. However, he’ll have to improve his accuracy and decision-making under pressure to become a mid-level starter in the NFL. There are just too many wild misses to justify first-round draft capital here. Ultimately, Simpson should be viewed as a Day 2 prospect with starting potential in a year or two.

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