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Rams Draft Ty Simpson 13th, Praise His Smarts

5/1/2026

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Summary

Rams Draft Ty Simpson

Los Angeles Rams selected quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
General manager Les Snead said Simpson’s intelligence and pro-style throws suit Sean McVay’s offense.
Scouting director Nicole Blake called him a super-smart quarterback fitting the Rams’ system.
One NFL executive described the Rams’ draft strategy as genius.
Another NFL executive said Les Snead promised Jimmy Sexton Rams would draft Simpson in round one.

Summary

Rams Draft Outlook

The Rams face free agency for Byron Young and Kevin Dotson, a 2027 draft focus.
Mock drafts list DE Will Heldt, a 7.5-sack transfer from Purdue, as a 64th-overall pick.
ESPN’s Jordan Reid projects the Rams taking Oregon rusher Matayo Uiagalelei in the first round.
The 32nd pick may be Indiana WR Nick Marsh or Ryan Coleman-Williams, with Raylen Wilson (131st) and Jayden Bellamy (211th) as Emmanuel Forbes goes free.

Summary

Ty Simpson Redshirt

Ty Simpson redshirted in 2022 and then waited behind Bryce Young and Jalen Milroe.
Coaches said Simpson was too hard on himself, leading Milroe to earn the 2023 start.
Simpson holds Alabama’s record interception rate of 0.956%, allowing five picks on 523 pass attempts.
Jason Simpson has coached at UT Martin since 2006, giving Ty constant football exposure.
Ty once hoped to play baseball for Ole Miss, Mississippi State or LSU.

History

Historical Context

After a 1-15 season in 2009, the St. Louis Rams used the 2010 draft’s #1 overall pick—held at Radio City Music Hall on April 22—to select Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford, who signed a six-year, $78 million rookie deal, then the league’s largest. The franchise’s reliance on top-draft capital resurfaced in 2026 when Los Angeles Rams chose quarterback Ty Simpson, echoing the same rebuild strategy.

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Rams Draft Ty Simpson

Los Angeles Rams selected quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
General manager Les Snead said Simpson’s intelligence and pro-style throws suit Sean McVay’s offense.
Scouting director Nicole Blake called him a super-smart quarterback fitting the Rams’ system.
One NFL executive described the Rams’ draft strategy as genius.
Another NFL executive said Les Snead promised Jimmy Sexton Rams would draft Simpson in round one.

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