First-round QB Ty Simpson in best possible situation with Rams

Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson is selected by the Los Angeles Rams as the No. 13 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

First-round QB Ty Simpson in best possible situation with Rams

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Apr 23, 2026 11:51 PM ET

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In one of the surprises of the first round, the Los Angeles Rams selected Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th pick of the 2026 NFL Draft.

While Simpson has always been a polarizing prospect, the Rams reaching to take him early in the first round placed him in the best possible situation.

At the start of Simpson's NFL career, he's going to play for quarterback guru Sean McVay and play behind future Hall of Famer and reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford. Few quarterbacks have ever been provided a learning opportunity quite like what Simpson is going to enjoy.

Ty Simpson will now be groomed to be the future of the Rams

From the Rams' perspective, drafting Simpson, the possible future face of the franchise under center, makes sense, too. Los Angeles is coming off a 12-5 regular season that resulted in falling to the eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game.

Welcome to the #RamsHouse, @ty_simpson06! pic.twitter.com/HTv1O4JUzy
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) April 24, 2026

Knowing Stafford, 38, who contemplated retirement during the 2025 offseason, may not have many more years left in his career, the Rams felt it was time to put together a succession plan. And even though some may view Simpson as a project, Los Angeles can afford to take the risk with at least one more season with Stafford in front of them.

Ty Simpson only experienced one college season as a starter

However, the concern about Simpson stems from him coming out of nowhere in his fourth year with the Crimson Tide. After starting his college career as a redshirt freshman and then multiple years as a backup, Simpson completed 64.5% of his passes, threw for 3,567 yards and tossed 28 touchdowns to only five picks.

Playing a similar style to Stafford, if Simpson can't take advantage of the situation he's been blessed with, then maybe his doubters were right all along.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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