Rams given head-scratching NFL Draft grade for shocking Ty Simpson pick
This was the surprise of the night.
Rams given head-scratching NFL Draft grade for shocking Ty Simpson pick originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The Los Angeles Rams really did it.
There was at least a bit of speculation that they may take a QB at some point during the 2026 NFL Draft. Matthew Stafford isn't getting younger, and Jimmy Garoppolo is contemplating retirement. But at the 13th overall pick?
Their decision to use that spot on Ty Simpson was the shocker of Thursday night's first round. It also wasn't a highly regarded selection by The Sporting News' senior NFL writer Vinnie Iyer , who gave the pick a 'D' grade. "The Rams make the biggest early head-scratcher, going for a luxury QB stash pick behind reigning NFL MVP QB Matthew Stafford playing at the highest level of his career in Sean McVay's offense," Iyer writes.
"Simpson has a lot of smarts and accuracy but he is a long way away from being a reliable and effective winning starter with his limited college starting experience. Even if Stafford would retire next year, it's a huge reach for a Super Bowl favorite that needed more immediate impact at several other positions. " It might be good that Simpson gets to sit and learn behind Stafford, but the larger point is fair: The Rams have a good team and didn't make it immediately better with this pick.