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One of the most intriguing stories coming into the first round of the NFL Draft was where Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson could land. Well, fans got their answer sooner than they expected.
The Los Angeles Rams surprisingly selected Simpson with the 13th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The selection isn’t completely out of left field and is arguably the best case scenario for Simpson. The Rams have Matthew Stafford as their starter in 2026, but Stafford has flirted with the idea of retirement each of the last two offseasons. It’s clear the clock is ticking on his NFL career.
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The Los Angeles Rams pulled off a shocker and drafted Alabama QB Ty Simpson with the 13th pick in the NFL Draft. (CFP/Getty Images)
Now Simpson gets to sit behind one of the NFL’s best veteran quarterbacks, learn the position while adjusting to life in the NFL and not face immediate pressure to succeed. Additionally, the Rams are one of the most well-run franchises in the league right now. Sean McVay is an elite head coach who led the team to a Super Bowl victory to end the 2021 season and just had the team within one win of another Super Bowl berth before falling to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship.
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The most surprising aspect is the Rams looking to the future, honestly. This is a team that has had no problem trading away first round picks to make its team the best it can be every season. It seemed most likely that the team would use the No. 13 pick to improve its squad for next season, which could be Stafford’s last. Instead, the team decided to put itself in position for Stafford’s retirement without skipping a beat.
Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford, now 38, has flirted with retirement after each of the past two seasons. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
There were several surprises in the first 13 picks of the 2026 NFL Draft: the Cardinals took Notre Dame running back Jeremiah 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 made sure they bid up Draft Ohio State and even made sure they bid up Draft Ohio State. Downs at No. 11.
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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 easily the biggest early shock of the 2026 NFL Draft.
