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Rams Take Ty Simpson; Chargers Grab Mesidor, 49ers Trade Down

4/25/2026

Summary

Rams Draft Simpson

The Los Angeles Rams selected Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Los Angeles Chargers drafted edge rusher Akheem Mesidor in the first round.
The San Francisco 49ers traded down from No. 27 to No. 33, acquiring additional picks at No. 90 and No. 179.
The 2026 NFL Draft will start rounds 2-3 on Friday, April 24 at 7 p.m. ET at Pittsburgh’s Acrisure Stadium North Shore site.

Summary

Rams Target Simpson

Les Snead spent months targeting Ty Simpson as a long-term bridge beyond Matthew Stafford’s final year.
The Rams traded their No. 29 overall pick to the Kansas City Chiefs for cornerback Trent McDuffie, pairing the corner with the Ty Simpson quarterback prospect to balance a Super Bowl push and post-Stafford planning.
Critics warn the gamble could backfire if Simpson’s durability issues, such as elbow bursitis and rib fracture, limit his progression.

History

Historical Context

In the April 15-16 2000 NFL draft at Madison Square Garden, the New England Patriots, under new head coach Bill Belichick, selected Michigan quarterback Tom Brady with the 199th pick in the sixth round. That low-profile choice sparked a franchise-defining era, culminating in seven Super Bowl titles and reshaping how teams value late-round talent.

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Rams Draft Simpson

The Los Angeles Rams selected Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Los Angeles Chargers drafted edge rusher Akheem Mesidor in the first round.
The San Francisco 49ers traded down from No. 27 to No. 33, acquiring additional picks at No. 90 and No. 179.
The 2026 NFL Draft will start rounds 2-3 on Friday, April 24 at 7 p.m. ET at Pittsburgh’s Acrisure Stadium North Shore site.

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