Out of Left Field: The Rams Roll the Dice on Ty Simpson.

Written by Brandon Pulmano

Founder | Sideline Society Media

This was a bizarre move by the Los Angeles Rams one that immediately reminded me of the Atlanta Falcons selecting Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick in 2024. The Rams definitely learned from the Falcons mistake by at least letting Matthew Stafford know before hand. This decision by the Rams brass feels harder to justify.

I mean with a player like Makai Lemon still on the board he is someone who could have eased the pressure on Puka Nacua and Davante Adams they instead chose to go in a completely different direction. Makai Lemon could have been their Jaxon Smith Njigba (JSN) in the slot.

Selecting Ty Simpson a quarterback with just one full year as a starter feels like a reach at this stage. The production is solid 28 touchdowns to just five interceptions but the evaluation should go deeper than the stat line. On tape, he gives off shades of J.J. McCarthy to me. At times hes efficient, composed, but not necessarily a player you project as a clear cut franchise cornerstone right away. Maybe he develops into a capable starter. But if the Rams are expecting superstar upside, that projection feels optimistic at best.

If the plan was to address quarterback there were more logical approaches. They could have waited for a deeper quarterback class next year or targeted a developmental prospect like Taylen Green later in the draft without sacrificing premium value. The Los Angeles Rams basically got a Stetson Bennet lite or another JJ McCarthy either way you put it they wasted their draft pick.

Even Sean McVay didn’t exactly exude confidence when discussing the pick post draft which only adds to the uncertainty. It should also be noted that Les Snead the Los Angeles Rams General Manager has a strong relationship with Ty Simpson’s father.

Just goes to show you if your well connected it can get you to the places you’ve always dreamed of.