The Los Angeles Rams made headlines last week with their bold selection of quarterback Ty Simpson at No. 13 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. While general manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay have been vocal about their excitement for the pick, ESPN analyst Matt Miller offered a more measured take—ranking Simpson as the only Rams draft choice to crack his list of the 100 best selections this year.

Miller placed Simpson at No. 42 on his list, noting that the Alabama product was ranked as the 40th-best player on his final big board. At first glance, the value might seem off. Miller admitted he would have preferred a safer pick like wide receiver Makai Lemon. But he also acknowledged the strategic brilliance behind the move: drafting a quarterback before you absolutely need one.

It's a playbook that has worked wonders for other franchises. The Green Bay Packers did it with Aaron Rodgers and Jordan Love. The Kansas City Chiefs did it with Patrick Mahomes while Alex Smith was still winning games. For a perennial contender like the Rams, the logic is clear: if you're picking late in the first round for the foreseeable future, finding Matthew Stafford's successor now—rather than scrambling later—is a sound team-building philosophy.

Of course, this gamble comes with risk. If Simpson develops into a franchise quarterback, this pick will be remembered as a masterstroke. But if he falters like Trey Lance or Mac Jones, the Rams could face years of second-guessing. For now, though, Los Angeles is betting on the long game—and hoping their lottery ticket pays off at the most important position in sports.