What to make of Rams Ty Simpson shock: NFL…
Matthew Stafford’s reward for successful NFL MVP is a ticking clock in the form of Ty Simpson.
The Rams delivered the most important shock of the NFL Draft’s first spherical Thursday when they drafted Simpson at No. 13 and put an early end to the silly thought that the Alabama quarterback may need to wait until the second spherical to hear his title called.
The choose got here with shades of 2024, when the Falcons signed Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million free-agent contract but turned around and drafted Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 to create an awkward quarterback dynamic that seems to have double-flopped.
The Rams averted making the error that the Falcons made in not cluing in Cousins and let Stafford, 38, know forward of time that Simpson might be their choose but that the beginning job is his for as long as he desires to play. Whether that stays true under stress if the Super Bowl hopefuls falter stays to be seen in the autumn, but Simpson sat for 4 seasons at Alabama before making his first 15 profession begins last season.
Rams backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is contemplating retirement.
Before Simpson entered the draft, his father, a high college coach, reportedly spoke to Rams normal supervisor Les Snead for advice on how his son could be seen by the NFL. The phrase was that Simpson could be a first-round choose — and Snead may need tipped his hand of his own curiosity.
Simpson was a one-year starter at Alabama, and the latest observe file for quarterbacks with fewer than 30 profession faculty begins is alarming.
Twelve of the 20 quarterbacks picked in the first or second spherical of the 2021-25 drafts made fewer than 30 begins. Drake Maye and C.J. Stroud are the only Pro Bowlers on the checklist, the jury is out on Bryce Young and J.J. McCarthy, Tyler Shough impressed as a rookie, and then you could have busts Zach Wilson, Will Levis, Kyle Trask, Justin Fields, Mac Jones, Trey Lance, and Anthony Richardson, most of whom already are well-traveled.
Ty Simpson of Alabama celebrates after being chosen thirteenth total choose by the Los Angeles Rams. Getty Images
Here are 5 other takeaways from the first spherical:
1. Lucky in Love
The Cardinals made Jeremiyah Love (No. 3) the highest-drafted operating back since 2018 (Saquon Barkley). In doing so, they may hand him a four-year, $50.5 million contract with the very best guarantee ever given to a operating back and an average annual worth that already ranks No. 7 among friends.
But the Cardinals needed playmakers and a face of the franchise. Love checks both containers. Positional worth be damned.
Jeremiyah Love of Notre Dame celebrates after being chosen third total choose by the Arizona Cardinals. Getty Images
2. Brian Daboll happier than Robert Saleh?
The two fired New York head coaches are companions with the Titans and it appears the defensive-minded head coach Saleh deferred to the offensive coordinator Daboll.
The Titans delivered the first major shock of the NFL Draft by going with receiver Carnell Tate — not the No. 1-ranked receiver for all groups — at No. 4 instead of a quarterback of their protection. Even after the Titans poached 100-yard receiver Wan’Dale Robinson (4 years, $76 million) from the Giants in free company.
In the end, getting weapons to help 2025 No. 1 choose Cam Ward succeed was the precedence.
3. Buckeye Party
Four of the first 11 picks had been teammates at Ohio State: Tate, edge/linebacker Arvell Reese (Giants) at No. 5, linebacker Sonny Styles (Commanders) at No. 5 and security Caleb Downs (Cowboys) at No. 11.
Most Ohio State followers would inform you that Downs was the best participant and yet he was the last to go.
There had been a lot of mock drafts that had the Giants taking either Styles or Downs. Now they may see both of them in the NFC East.
The Cowboys yearly are one of the NFL’s best drafting groups and trading two fifth-round picks to transfer up from No. 12 to No. 11 to secure a great participant at their largest need (secondary) is an instance why.
Caleb Downs after being chosen to the Dallas Cowboys at the 2026 NFL Draft. AP
4. Run on offensive linemen began earlier than anticipated.
It was thought that the run on offensive linemen would start around No. 14 and that getting in entrance of the Lions at No. 17 was key.
Well, choose Nos. 9, 10, 12, 14, 17, 19 and 21 had been all offensive linemen. Seven offensive linemen in the first 21 picks had been the most since 2013, per NFL Network.
5. Another Cowboys-Eagles commerce.
The last time there was one of these in the first spherical was in 2021. The picks resulted in DeVonta Smith and Micah Parsons — no regrets on either aspect — and squeezed the Giants out of their supposed choose in Smith.
Five years later, the NFC East rivals did it again. The Eagles moved up from No. 23 to No. 20 for receiver Makai Lemon to say goodbye to A.J. Brown on June 1 — and the Cowboys dropped back three picks for pass-rusher Malachi Lawrence.
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