Rams 2026 draft: Ty Simpson would be a ‘J.J. McCarthy’ mistake

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 24: Ty Simpson #QB17 of Alabama participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images) | Getty Images If the Los Angeles Rams draft Ty Simpson in the first round for no other reason than he’s considered the best available quarterback, then Les Snead is repeating the same mistake that countless general managers have made since the start of the draft. The Minnesota Vikings made that mistake with J.

J. McCarthy two years ago and the comparisons to Simpson are warranted. For example, McCarthy only threw 713 passes in college, which is half as many as Jayden Daniels.

Many non-ESPN draft analysts felt that he was too raw and inexperienced and unproven to draft in the first round. Simpson has thrown 523 passes in college. He didn’t do anything at Alabama until his fourth season in college and then he was handed the keys to one of the most talented and offensive-focused programs in the country.

Even then, Simpson was mediocre, especially down the stretch when the games really mattered: Over the last 7 games, Simpson completed 60% of his passes with 8 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, and Alabama went 4-3, plus they were demolished by Georgia and Indiana. Simpson’s offense scored a combined 10 points in those two games. Even so, there’s a major problem with the NFL Draft that the quarterback-starved producer hounds at ESPN are trying to fill with fluff: Colleges have been producing a far worse product at quarterback over the last 5 years than any other stretch in recent NFL draft history.