NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
One of the most intriguing stories in the first round of the NFL Draft was where Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson might land. Well, fans received their answer sooner than expected.
The Los Angeles Rams surprisingly selected Simpson with the No. 13 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The selection isn’t completely out of left field and arguably the best-case scenario for Simpson. The Rams have Matthew Stafford as their starter for 2026, but Stafford has flirted with the idea of retiring each of the last two offseasons. It’s clear that time is running out on his NFL career.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PK Press Club APP
The Los Angeles Rams pulled off a feat and drafted Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the No. 13 pick in the NFL Draft. (CFP/Getty Images)
Now Simpson can sit behind one of the best veteran quarterbacks in the NFL, learn the position while adjusting to life in the NFL and not face immediate pressure to succeed. Additionally, the Rams are currently one of the best-run franchises in the league. Sean McVay is an elite head coach who led the team to a Super Bowl victory to close out the 2021 season and had the team just one win away from another Super Bowl berth before falling to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship.
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
The most surprising aspect is that the Rams are looking to the future, frankly. This is a team that has had no problem trading away first round picks to make their team the best it can be each season. It seemed very likely that the team would use the No. 13 pick to improve their team for next season, which could be Stafford’s last. Instead, the team decided to move into position for Stafford’s retirement without wasting any time.
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, now 38, has flirted with retirement after each of the last two seasons. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
There were several surprises in the first 13 picks of the 2026 NFL Draft: the Cardinals selected Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love at No. 3, the Titans selected Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate at No. 4, the Kansas City Chiefs traded up to take LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane at No. 6 and even the Cowboys traded up a spot to ensure they drafted safety Ohio State’s Caleb Downs at No. 11.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
But the Rams completely abandoning their recent strategy (usually trading away first-round picks and loading up for now) to select Stafford’s heir apparent is by far the biggest early shock of the 2026 NFL Draft.
