The Rams decided to mix things up with drafting a QB to kick off their draft night

The Los Angeles Rams surprised many on draft night, selecting quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. It wasn’t the flashy, plug-and-play move many expected. Mock drafts had the Rams leaning toward wide receivers like Makai Lemon or Jordan Tyson, or even bolstering the offensive line. Instead, they went with a future-facing decision—one that may define the franchise’s next era.

If you look closely, the signs were there. Months before the draft, Simpson’s father reached out to NFL personnel while his son weighed entering the draft. Rams GM Les Snead didn’t hesitate, telling him Simpson was “for sure a first rounder.” That belief never wavered apparently—and when the Rams were on the clock at 13, they made it official.

At first glance, the move feels like a luxury pick. The Rams are coming off a near Super Bowl run, with Matthew Stafford still playing at an elite level. With roster needs elsewhere—particularly at wide receiver depth and protection—it would’ve been easy to grab an immediate contributor. But this pick wasn’t about plugging a hole. It was about planning for what comes next.

“This is Matthew’s team,” head coach Sean McVay said, making it clear there’s no rush to throw Simpson into the fire.

Instead, the Rams are investing in development. Stafford may still be playing at an MVP level, but he won’t be around forever. With uncertainty behind him and questions about long-term options, the Rams chose to get ahead of the inevitable rather than react to it.