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Rams Draft QB Ty Simpson No. 13, Plan Backup Role

4/25/2026

Summary

Rams Draft Ty Simpson

The Los Angeles Rams selected quarterback Ty Simpson with the No. 13 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, April 24 2026.
GM Les Snead told Simpson’s family the Rams would take him in the first round, prompting his draft entry.
The Rams plan for Simpson to back up MVP Matthew Stafford, compete with Stetson Bennett for QB2, develop under a draft-and-learn approach, and provide a future successor as noted by Coach Sean McVay.

Summary

Rams Draft Simpson

The Rams drafted quarterback Simpson, citing lack of 2027 QB prospects and fear the Cardinals would trade up.
They entered the draft with two first-round picks after swapping the 29th overall for All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie.
Simpson’s father, UT Martin coach Jason Simpson, met with Snead, who posed as a College Advisory Committee advisor.
Simpson finished college with 28 touchdowns, five interceptions, and rejected NIL deals to stay at Alabama.

History

Historical Context

When the St. Louis Rams, fresh off a 4–12 2009 season, held the first pick of the April 22, 2010 NFL draft, they selected Oklahoma Heisman winner Sam Bradford, the franchise’s first first-round quarterback since Bill Munson in 1964. General manager Billy Devaney secured a six-year, $78 million rookie deal, echoing the team’s long-standing reliance on high-profile draft picks to rebuild.

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Rams Draft Ty Simpson

The Los Angeles Rams selected quarterback Ty Simpson with the No. 13 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, April 24 2026.
GM Les Snead told Simpson’s family the Rams would take him in the first round, prompting his draft entry.
The Rams plan for Simpson to back up MVP Matthew Stafford, compete with Stetson Bennett for QB2, develop under a draft-and-learn approach, and provide a future successor as noted by Coach Sean McVay.

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