Insider addresses chatter linking Rams with Ty Simpson, Jeremiyah Love

The Los Angeles Rams hold the 13th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and are seen as wild cards regarding what they could do during the first round of the player-selection process on Thursday night. 

Recent whispers have linked the Rams with Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson and Notre Dame Fighting Irish star running back Jeremiyah Love. On Wednesday, ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano mentioned that "it's an open secret that" the Rams "like" Simpson. 

It's not "ridiculous" Rams could make this Ty Simpson move?

"The Rams don't appear to have any crying needs for which the 13th pick could help them in their effort to win the Super Bowl at home," Graziano wrote. "So, could they trade down from No. 13 and still take Simpson later in the round? Possibly. Could they just bite the bullet and take Simpson at No. 13 if they like him that much? Unlikely, but again, this is a tough team to predict. If the Rams take Simpson in the first round, they're likely to face criticism for not finding immediate help for a win-now team with 38-year-old reigning MVP Matthew Stafford at quarterback. But would they care? This is the "f--- them picks" franchise, remember? If they truly believe Simpson has the potential to be Stafford's successor, I don't think it's ridiculous to think they could go ahead and take him."

Stafford may soon put pen to paper on a contract extension, but the 38-year-old teased earlier this winter that he considered calling time on his playing career before he announced that he would return for at least one more season. While the Rams seemingly won't be "desperate" to find Stafford's eventual successor in this year's draft, they could ultimately view Simpson as a great value pick if he slides into the bottom half of the first round. 

Specifically, ESPN's Peter Schrager thinks Simpson will be available at choice No. 32. 

Could Rams make blockbuster trade to land Jeremiyah Love? 

Meanwhile, NFL writer Conor Orr of Sports Illustrated thinks the Rams could make a blockbuster trade to grab Love with the draft's third pick. Graziano indicated that Orr isn't the only person who believes such a scenario could play out on Thursday. 

"If the Rams think they can find the impact receiver in the second round or later, what do they do in the first? Could be anything," Graziano added. "Some people are even watching to see if they make a big move up for Love, who would be a very exciting cherry on top of their offensive sundae. There's always the chance they trade down the way they did last year."

It sounds like the Rams could trade down, acquire an additional draft asset and then take Simpson in the first round if they "like" him as much as Graziano hinted.