Rams gamble on Ty Simpson at No. 13 in NFL Draft. Here’s why
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There wasn't any drama surrounding the first quarterback selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, but what about the second?
After Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza landed with the Las Vegas Raiders at the No. 1 overall pick, the attention shifted to where Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson would end up. Widely considered the second-best quarterback prospect in the 2026 class, Simpson had a variety of possible landing spots heading into the first night of the NFL draft. As it turns out, he didn't have to wait too long to hear his name called.
Outside of the Raiders, a few teams were notably in immediate need of a new signal-caller behind center. The New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals are among the most quarterback-needy teams in the NFL, though more pressing needs at other positions could take precedence over drafting a young quarterback in the first round.
Through the first half of the draft, has Simpson heard his name called? Or does he still remain available for a team in need of young talent at the position?
Here's what to know as the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft continues on:
Has Ty Simpson been drafted yet?
Yes. The Los Angeles Rams drafted Simpson with the No. 13 pick. He joins a locker room in Los Angeles that already includes Matthew Stafford and Stetson Bennett IV.
Stafford, who is coming off of an MVP season with the Rams, also just turned 38 years old and is due to hit free agency after the 2026 season. Simpson will have a chance to sit behind Stafford as a rookie and could take over the Rams' starting job as soon as 2027.
Ty Simpson NFL draft grade
Grade: C
There was widespread pre-draft skepticism that Simpson would crack Day 1 at all. Instead, he makes it into the top half of the order. Los Angeles is likely the ideal landing spot for the signal-caller, who's short on experience but can be brought along slowly behind Matthew Stafford. But the Rams really must have seen something in Simpson to pivot from their plan to go all in for the reigning NFL MVP. Les Snead and Sean McVay deserve the benefit of the doubt here, as they've been one of the best teams at identifying talent in the draft in recent years. And maybe it gives the franchise the smooth transition behind center that once seemed like it would be hard to enact. But Simpson has displayed some fairly significant shortcomings and limitations as an undersized and inexperienced passer, and this certainly feels like a sizable stretch. – Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who drafted Ty Simpson? Alabama QB joins Rams in 2026 NFL Draft
