The Los Angeles Rams took quarterback Ty Simpson with the No. 13 overall pick in the biggest shocker of the 2026 NFL Draft.
With the Rams in win-now mode, the pick drew a lot of questions. But one of the more interesting questions posed for the Rams was their decision to stick and pick, and not trade back, pick up more value, and still likely land Simpson.
As ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler highlighted, the Rams might’ve missed a great opportunity to trade down and still take Simpson, as the teams picking after them likely wouldn’t have gone with Simpson in Round 1.
Rams missed big opportunity with Ty Simpson pick
“While the Rams’ plans for Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson at No. 13 crystallized, a look at the board suggests Los Angeles could have moved back and still gotten its passer,” Fowler writes.
The pick itself was bad enough, taking a backup developmental quarterback when in a win-now mode. But this angle makes things look worse.
After the Rams pick at No. 13, the Baltimore Ravens, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Jets, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Carolina Panthers, and Philadelphia Eagles from picks 14 through 20 didn’t go for a quarterback early in this year’s class.
The Pittsburgh Steelers were the biggest threat to the Rams in taking Simpson, as their third-round pick of Drew Allar might’ve turned into a Round 1 pick of Simpson if the Alabama QB had made it to their 21st overall pick.
More: Sean McVay reveals Rams did have Davante Adams trade talks this offseason
Of the teams between the Rams and Steelers, only the Jets might’ve gone Simpson, and most likely, they would’ve passed with their sights likely set on the 2027 class with their three first-rounders next year.
The Lions and potentially other teams calling the Rams to move in front of the Ravens for an offensive lineman, the Rams had options to move down the board.
But, they passed, taking Simpson in Round 1, much to the surprise of the fans, analysts, and media around the league.
While the Rams wanted to draft Simpson, they still might’ve been able to even if they moved down a few spots. This was a missed opportunity for the Rams, and one that might age very poorly if Simpson doesn’t turn out to be a good QB.
