The Los Angeles Rams entered the 2026 NFL Draft as the league's biggest wild card, and they certainly lived up to that reputation. General Manager Les Snead and Head Coach Sean McVay made headlines with their first-round selection of Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson at pick No. 13—a move that sent shockwaves through the NFL community and left fans with mixed emotions.
Leading up to draft night, there were whispers that the Rams had been doing extensive homework on quarterbacks, but most assumed those rumors would only matter if they kept their original pick at No. 29. That assumption changed when they traded that pick to the Kansas City Chiefs for cornerback Trent McDuffie, making the Simpson selection at 13 a true surprise. Few expected the Rams to invest such a high pick in a quarterback with just one season of starting experience.
The reaction to the pick has been sharply divided. ESPN's Dan Orlovsky and former NFL star Chris Long of the Green Light podcast have voiced strong approval, praising the Rams for thinking ahead. However, others have been far less enthusiastic. The Ringer's scathing review called it "a massive reach for an undersized, lightly experienced quarterback who was injured and played poorly for half of his only season as a starter." They noted that while sitting behind Matthew Stafford and learning from McVay is an ideal situation for Simpson, the Rams paid a steep price for a player who doesn't help them compete for a Super Bowl right now.
The Rams didn't stop there, making four more selections to round out their draft class: tight end Max Klare, offensive lineman Keagen Trost, wide receiver CJ Daniels, and defensive lineman Tim Keenan III. While the front office showed depth in their picks, many fans were hoping to see the wide receiver position addressed much earlier than the sixth round, leading to further questions about the team's draft strategy.
So, what grade did Rams fans give their five selections? The consensus seems to be a mix of cautious optimism and frustration. While the long-term potential of Simpson is intriguing, the immediate needs of a team poised for a Super Bowl run may not have been fully addressed. For a franchise known for bold moves, this draft class will be one to watch as it develops.