Rams gamble on Ty Simpson at No. 13 in NFL Draft. Here’s why

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Rams gamble on Ty Simpson at No. 13 in NFL Draft. Here’s why

Jack McKessy, USA TODAY · USA TODAY Sports

Fri, Apr 24, 2026 ·

2 min read

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There wasn't any drama surrounding the first quarterback selected in the 2026 NFL Draft , but what about the second?

After Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza landed with the Las Vegas Raiders at the No. 1 overall pick, the attention shifted to where Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson would end up. Widely considered the second-best quarterback prospect in the 2026 class, Simpson had a variety of possible landing spots heading into the first night of the NFL draft. As it turns out, he didn't have to wait too long to hear his name called.

Outside of the Raiders , a few teams were notably in immediate need of a new signal-caller behind center. The New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals are among the most quarterback-needy teams in the NFL, though more pressing needs at other positions could take precedence over drafting a young quarterback in the first round.

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Through the first half of the draft, has Simpson heard his name called? Or does he still remain available for a team in need of young talent at the position?

Here's what to know as the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft continues on:

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See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft

Quarterbacks headline early evaluations for the 2026 NFL Draft as teams begin sorting the best available prospects at the position.

See the college quarterbacks drawing attention as draft boards take shape ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Above, Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana Hoosiers reacts after a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks during the fourth quarter of the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 09, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.

(Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images)

Ty Simpson of the Alabama Crimson Tide scrambles during the first quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2026, in Pasadena, California.

(Ronald Martinez, Getty Images)

Garrett Nussmeier of the LSU Tigers drops back to pass against the Baylor Bears during the first half in the Kinder's Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium on December 31, 2024, in Houston, Texas.

(Alex Slitz, Getty Images)

Cade Klubnik of the Clemson Tigers warms up during the first half of a football game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 29, 2025, in Columbia, South Carolina.

(David Jensen, Getty Images)

Drew Allar of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts after a touchdown against the UCLA Bruins during the fourth quarter at Rose Bowl Stadium on October 04, 2025, in Pasadena, California.

(Luke Hales, Getty Images)

Miami's Carson Beck throws during the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.

(Rich Janzaruk, USA TODAY, Imagn Images)

Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Green passes during the third quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

(Nelson Chenault, Imagn Images)

Colorado Buffaloes linebacker LaVonta Bentley #20 tackles North Dakota State Bison quarterback Cole Payton #9 in the first half at Folsom Field.

(Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY Sports, Imagn Images)

Luke Altmyer of the Illinois Fighting Illini throws a pass against the Western Illinois Leathernecks during the first half at Memorial Stadium on August 29, 2025, in Champaign, Illinois.

(Michael Reaves, Getty Images)

Diego Pavia of the Vanderbilt Commodores makes adjustments prior to the snap during the second quarter of the game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 01, 2025, in Austin, Texas.

(Kenneth Richmond, Getty Images)

Has Ty Simpson been drafted yet?

Yes. The Los Angeles Rams drafted Simpson with the No. 13 pick. He joins a locker room in Los Angeles that already includes Matthew Stafford and Stetson Bennett IV.

Stafford, who is coming off of an MVP season with the Rams, also just turned 38 years old and is due to hit free agency after the 2026 season. Simpson will have a chance to sit behind Stafford as a rookie and could take over the Rams' starting job as soon as 2027.

TY SIMPSON: Indiana DC fires back at Alabama QB's view of Hoosiers defense

Ty Simpson NFL draft grade

Grade: C

There was widespread pre-draft skepticism that Simpson would crack Day 1 at all. Instead, he makes it into the top half of the order. Los Angeles is likely the ideal landing spot for the signal-caller, who's short on experience but can be brought along slowly behind Matthew Stafford. But the Rams really must have seen something in Simpson to pivot from their plan to go all in for the reigning NFL MVP. Les Snead and Sean McVay deserve the benefit of the doubt here, as they've been one of the best teams at identifying talent in the draft in recent years. And maybe it gives the franchise the smooth transition behind center that once seemed like it would be hard to enact. But Simpson has displayed some fairly significant shortcomings and limitations as an undersized and inexperienced passer, and this certainly feels like a sizable stretch. – Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who drafted Ty Simpson? Alabama QB joins Rams in 2026 NFL Draft

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See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft

See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft

See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft

See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft

Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft

See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft

See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft

See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft

See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft

See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft

Has Ty Simpson been drafted yet?

Ty Simpson NFL draft grade

Grade: C