Day 1 of the2026 NFL Draftdelivered its share of surprises, perhaps none bigger than theLos Angeles Ramsselecting Alabama quarterback Ty Simpsonwith the 13th overall pick. Rather than picking a receiver or lineman like many thought they would to try and maximize Matthew Stafford's window, Sean McVay and Les Snead opted toprepare for life after the reigning NFL MVP.
It was a masterful smokescreen by the Rams brass, who had increasingly been linked to USC wideout Makai Lemon. Earlier in the week, McVay discussed the possibility of drafting a quarterback in the first round with USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon.
"I think the first thing is you got to make sure that you really like the player, regardless of what the position is," McVay said. "You don't ever want to overreach for a need, hypothetically. The quarterback position is really important, as are a lot of ones.
"We could talk for days about that. But number one, it always goes back to who's the person? What's their skill set, and what's the vision we have for them?"
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The Rams front office clearly felt good enough about Simpson to draft him, to the point where ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that they called Stafford earlier on Thursday to give him a heads up. But was it the right move? Here's how I grade the Rams after Day 1:
1. Las Vegas Raiders – QB Fernando Mendoza, IndianaThe first round of the 2026 NFL Draft brings franchise‑defining moments as teams make their selections from the top of the board.
See how picks 1 through 32 came off the clock as the next generation of NFL talent enters the league. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
New York Jets – OLB/DE David Bailey, Texas Tech
Arizona Cardinals − RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
Tennessee Titans − WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
New York Giants − LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State
Kansas City Chiefs (from Browns) − CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
Washington Commanders − LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
New Orleans Saints − WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
Cleveland Browns (from Chiefs) − OL Spencer Fano, Utah
Giants (from Cincinnati Bengals) − OL Francis Mauigoa, Miami (Fla.)
Dallas Cowboys (from Dolphins) − S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
Miami Dolphins (from Cowboys) − OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) − QB Ty Simpson, Alabama
Baltimore Ravens − G Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
Tampa Bay Buccaneers − DE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (Fla.)
Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) − TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
Detroit Lions − OT Blake Miller, Clemson
Minnesota Vikings − DL Caleb Banks, Florida
Carolina Panthers − OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia
Philadelphia Eagles (from Green Bay Packers via Cowboys) − WR Makai Lemon, USC
Pittsburgh Steelers − OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State
Los Angeles Chargers − DE/OLB Akheem Mesidor, Miami (Fla.)
Cowboys (from Eagles) − DE Malachi Lawrence, Central Florida
Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) − WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
Chicago Bears − S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
Houston Texans (from Bills) − G Keylan Rutledge
Dolphins (from 49ers) − CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State
New England Patriots (from Texans via Bills) − OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
Chiefs (from Rams) − DT Peter Woods, Clemson
Jets (from Denver Broncos via Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers) − WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana
Titans (from Patriots via Buffalo Bills) − DE Keldric Faulk, Auburn
Seattle Seahawks − RB Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
1. Las Vegas Raiders – QB Fernando Mendoza, IndianaThe first round of the2026 NFL Draftbrings franchise‑defining moments as teams make their selections from the top of the board.See how picks 1 through 32 came off the clock as the next generation of NFL talent enters the league.
Rams Day 1 NFL Draft Grades
13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons): Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama - Grade: C+
Simpson had been linked to the Rams early in the draft cycle this year, but had fallen almost entirely out of the first round in most pundits' minds by the time Day 1 rolled around. The initial shock of the pick is a bit tough to get over, especially considering how much LA could've benefitted by grabbing one of the many quality receivers on the board at No. 13. But once you do, it's hard to find a better fit for Simpson. He'll sit behind Stafford for at least a year, which will give him exactly what he needs after just 15 career starts for the Crimson Tide: time.
He showed flashes in his lone season as the starter at Alabama with his pocket awareness, accuracy, timing, processing and quick release, all things that should translate to the NFL. He did struggle with consistency down the stretch, though; four of his five interceptions in 2025 were thrown in the final six weeks of the season.
Simpson is going to require patience, which McVay might have plenty of as long as Stafford is still around.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Rams NFL draft grades after Day 1 Ty Simpson pick