Rams decision to draft Ty Simpson makes sense. Here's why | Opinion
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Rams decision to draft Ty Simpson makes sense. Here's why | Opinion
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY·USA TODAY Sports
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4 min read
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There's a balance between strengthening a Super Bowl-caliber roster and building toward the future. TheLos Angeles Ramsperformed the tightrope walk between the two during the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Rams delivered the first stunner of this year's draft when theyselected Alabama quarterback Ty SimpsonNo. 13 overall. They could've drafted a third wide receiver to work behind starsPuka NacuaandDavante Adams. Wide receiver and local USC product Makai Lemon was available. Plus, athletic tight end Kenyon Sadiq was still on the board.
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The Rams could've chosen to beef up their offensive line. Guard Olaivavega Ioane was selected one pick later by theBaltimore Ravensat No. 14. Tackle Blake Miller went 17thto theDetroit Lions.
Instead, the Rams chose to draftMatthew Stafford's heir apparent in Simpson.
The Rams' decision to draft Simpson rocked Round 1 of the draft like a 4.0 magnitude Southern California earthquake. Stafford is a Super Bowl champion, the reigning MVP and had the Rams a win away from Super Bowl 60.
But peel back the layers and one can decipher the why.
Rams QB succession plan
Stafford's flirted with retirement as recently as this offseason, and the 38-year-old's contract only runs through the 2026 season. The Rams and Stafford are negotiating an extension, but for now they are on a year-to-year basis.
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"We've been like that," Rams coach Sean McVay said to USA TODAY Sports on Tuesday when asked if Stafford is playing on year-to-year basis. "You'll probably see us put another year in there as kind of a placeholder, like we've done each of the last couple years. But he's earned the right to be able to be on a year-to-year basis, and that's something that we're comfortable with out of respect for him. And hopefully he continues to say, every year, 'I'm ready to go again.'"
Stafford is "ready to go again" this year. Beyond 2026 is uncertain.
The Rams provided somewhat of a clue into their long-term quarterback plans during the 2025 draft when they traded their first-round pick to theAtlanta Falconsfor a 2026 first rounder. Ironically, the Rams used the pick they acquired from Atlanta to draft Simpson on Thursday. In March, the Rams dealt their own pick to theKansas City Chiefsin ablockbuster deal to get cornerback Trent McDuffie.
"I think you're always talking about those types of things," McVay said when asked if the Rams have a succession plan at QB prior to the 2026 draft.
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McVay and general manager Les Snead told reporters on Thursday that they had a conversation with Stafford about their decision to select Simpson.
1. Las Vegas Raiders – QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
The first round of the2026 NFL Draftbrings franchise‑defining moments as teams make their selections from the top of the board.
See how picks 1 through 32 came off the clock as the next generation of NFL talent enters the league.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
New York Jets – OLB/DE David Bailey, Texas Tech
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
Arizona Cardinals − RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
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Tennessee Titans − WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
New York Giants − LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
Kansas City Chiefs (from Browns) − CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
Washington Commanders − LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
New Orleans Saints − WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
Cleveland Browns (from Chiefs) − OL Spencer Fano, Utah
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
Giants (from Cincinnati Bengals) − OL Francis Mauigoa, Miami (Fla.)
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
Dallas Cowboys (from Dolphins) − S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
Miami Dolphins (from Cowboys) − OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) − QB Ty Simpson, Alabama
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
Baltimore Ravens − G Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers − DE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (Fla.)
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) − TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
Detroit Lions − OT Blake Miller, Clemson
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
Minnesota Vikings − DL Caleb Banks, Florida
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
Carolina Panthers − OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
Philadelphia Eagles (from Green Bay Packers via Cowboys) − WR Makai Lemon, USC
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
Pittsburgh Steelers − OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
Los Angeles Chargers − DE/OLB Akheem Mesidor, Miami (Fla.)
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
Cowboys (from Eagles) − DE Malachi Lawrence, Central Florida
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Chicago Bears − S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
26/32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Houston Texans (from Bills) − G Keylan Rutledge
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
27/32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Dolphins (from 49ers) − CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
28/32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
New England Patriots (from Texans via Bills) − OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
29/32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Chiefs (from Rams) − DT Peter Woods, Clemson
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
30/32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Jets (from Denver Broncos via Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers) − WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
31/32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Titans (from Patriots via Buffalo Bills) − DE Keldric Faulk, Auburn
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
32/32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Seattle Seahawks − RB Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
What Sean McVay looks for in a QB
Simpson was viewed as a borderline first-round prospect. He produced the seventh-most completions (305) and 10th-most passing yards (3,567) in college football last season. He completed 64.5% of his passes but only started in 15 games in his Alabama career.
On tape, Simpson showed characteristics of a quick processor who throws with precision and accuracy. Those are skills Stafford has excelled at throughout his career.
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"Being able to throw the ball with accuracy (and) anticipation and being an extension of the coaching staff. Basically, if you said, all the things that make Matthew so special and great, those are the things that you'd love to be able to try to find," McVay said to USA TODAY Sports when asked about the traits he looks for in a quarterback prior to the draft. "You're not naive to think those things exist. But decision making, accuracy, anticipation and being able to play with timing and rhythm. Those are some of the most important things."
The Rams believe Simpson has the potential to be Stafford's successor. The No. 13 overall pick has a future Hall of Famer to try to emulate and a QB-wizard of a head coach. He's in an ideal situation. There isn't any expectations on him this year as he backs up Stafford.
Next year, ormaybethe year after that, though, is a different story. Stafford and the Rams have a year-to-year understanding. The Rams have a loaded roster that's primed for another Super Bowl run. They chose to prioritize the future instead of the present with a premium draft pick. The team's decision is to draft Simpson is bound to be examined and critiqued, but quarterback is a position the Rams knew they had to address sooner rather than later based Stafford's uncertain timeline. Pressure will one day be on Simpson and the Rams to prove the quarterback was worthy of the No. 13 overall pick – just not for at least a year.
