There’s a balance between strengthening a Super Bowl-caliber roster and building toward the future. TheLos Angeles Ramsperformed the tightrope walk between the two during the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Rams delivered the first stunner of this year’s draft when theyselected Alabama quarterback Ty SimpsonNo. 13 overall. They could’ve drafted a third wide receiver to work behind stars Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. Wide receiver and local USC product Makai Lemon was available. Plus, athletic tight end Kenyon Sadiq was still on the board.
The Rams could’ve chosen to beef up their offensive line. Guard Olaivavega Ioane was selected one pick later by the Baltimore Ravens at No. 14. Tackle Blake Miller went 17thto the Detroit Lions.
Instead, the Rams chose to draft Matthew Stafford’s heir apparent in Simpson.
The Rams’ decision to draft Simpson rocked Round 1 of the draft like a 4.0 magnitude Southern California earthquake. Stafford is a Super Bowl champion, the reigning MVP and had the Rams a win away from Super Bowl 60.
But peel back the layers and one can decipher the why.
Rams QB succession plan
Stafford’s flirted with retirement as recently as this offseason, and the 38-year-old’s contract only runs through the 2026 season. The Rams and Stafford are negotiating an extension, but for now they are on a year-to-year basis.
“We've been like that,” Rams coach Sean McVay said to USA TODAY Sports on Tuesday when asked if Stafford is playing on year-to-year basis. “You'll probably see us put another year in there as kind of a placeholder, like we've done each of the last couple years. But he's earned the right to be able to be on a year-to-year basis, and that's something that we're comfortable with out of respect for him. And hopefully he continues to say, every year, ‘I'm ready to go again.’”
Stafford is “ready to go again” this year. Beyond 2026 is uncertain.
The Rams provided somewhat of a clue into their long-term quarterback plans during the 2025 draft when they traded their first-round pick to the Atlanta Falcons for a 2026 first rounder. Ironically, the Rams used the pick they acquired from Atlanta to draft Simpson on Thursday. In March, the Rams dealt their own pick to the Kansas City Chiefs in ablockbuster deal to get cornerback Trent McDuffie.
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“I think you're always talking about those types of things,” McVay said when asked if the Rams have a succession plan at QB prior to the 2026 draft.
McVay and general manager Les Snead told reporters on Thursday that they had a conversation with Stafford about their decision to select Simpson.
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.
What Sean McVay looks for in a QB
Simpson was viewed as a borderline first-round prospect. He produced the seventh-most completions (305) and 10th-most passing yards (3,567) in college football last season. He completed 64.5% of his passes but only started in 15 games in his Alabama career.
On tape, Simpson showed characteristics of a quick processor who throws with precision and accuracy. Those are skills Stafford has excelled at throughout his career.
“Being able to throw the ball with accuracy (and) anticipation and being an extension of the coaching staff. Basically, if you said, all the things that make Matthew so special and great, those are the things that you'd love to be able to try to find,” McVay said to USA TODAY Sports when asked about the traits he looks for in a quarterback prior to the draft. “You're not naive to think those things exist. But decision making, accuracy, anticipation and being able to play with timing and rhythm. Those are some of the most important things.”
More:Did Rams draft heir apparent to Matthew Stafford at QB? Mel Kiper has thoughts
The Rams believe Simpson has the potential to be Stafford’s successor. The No. 13 overall pick has a future Hall of Famer to try to emulate and a QB-wizard of a head coach. He’s in an ideal situation. There isn’t any expectations on him this year as he backs up Stafford.
Next year, ormaybethe year after that, though, is a different story. Stafford and the Rams have a year-to-year understanding. The Rams have a loaded roster that’s primed for another Super Bowl run. They chose to prioritize the future instead of the present with a premium draft pick. The team’s decision is to draft Simpson is bound to be examined and critiqued, but quarterback is a position the Rams knew they had to address sooner rather than later based Stafford’s uncertain timeline. Pressure will one day be on Simpson and the Rams to prove the quarterback was worthy of the No. 13 overall pick – just not for at least a year.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Ty Simpson being taken by Rams in NFL draft makes more sense than many think
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