Ty Simpson was the big winner in the NFL draft

April 24, 2026 – PITTSBURGH, Pen. - The 2026 NFL Draft had a lot of winners and losers. Nobody was a bigger winner than former Alabama Quarterback Ty Simpson. Simpson was drafted 13th overall by the Los Angeles Rams.

The Rams have a loaded roster and were just a couple of plays away from going to the Super Bowl. Quarterback Matt Stafford won the NFL's most prestigious individual award – the MVP.

"Learning from (Rams Coach) Sean McVay and then Matthew, who is obviously one of the greatest of all time, I'm looking forward to it," Simpson said on the NFL Network after being picked.

Rams general manager Les Snead, who has served as a Simpson family advisor, made the move to move up in the draft and draft Simpson – the second quarterback taken in the draft, behind Indiana Quarterback Fernando Mendoza who went number one overall to the Los Vegas Raiders.

Simpson was picked just after Alabama teammate offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor went twelfth overall to the Miami Dolphins.

McVay has won a Super Bowl with Stafford and went to a Super Bowl with current Lions coach Jared Goff. McVay met with Simpson before the draft.

"We just talked for hours and hours, and it was just football," Simpson said. "You can tell the obsession he has for the game, and you can tell the love he has for quarterback play."

Simpson's career path to the NFL was not easy. He was initially recruited to Tuscaloosa by legendary head football Coach Nick Saban, but was beat out for the Tide starting job by Jalen Milroe (who just won a Super Bowl ring as Sam Darnold's backup with the Seattle Seahawks). Instead of transferring to another program, Simpson stayed at the University of Alabama. The Tide won a SEC Championship with Milroe. When Saban unexpectedly left the program and the University hired Washington head Coach Kalen DeBoer Simpson stayed and backed up Milroe. The Tide recruited standout quarterbacks Keelon Russell and Austin Mack -still Simpson stayed and competed for the starting job. Simpson won that battle and led the tide to a 10 to 4 season that included a playoff win over the University of Oklahoma. Simpson was injured in the next game against eventual national champion Indiana.

Simpson was highly recruited. He could have stayed for another year at Alabama, though that likely would have meant that Russell and/or Mack would have transferred. He was also offered a big payday to transfer to Tennessee or Miami. Instead Simpson believed in his talent and opted for the NFL draft. Most people rated Simpson as the number two quarterback in the draft, but some analysts did not give him a first round draft grade. Many draft analysts have criticized the move saying that the Rams should have drafted a playmaker on offense in order to try to maximize their chances in their last year or two with Stafford.

Simpson had been linked to the quarterback needy Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals. Sneed did not let him last that long, trading pick with the Atlanta Falcons to move up to 13 and snatch Simpson with the 13th pick.

The Rams have a full quarterback room. Stafford will make $40 million this year as the Rams starter. Veteran QB Jimmy Garoppolo was Stafford's backup last year, but has not re-signed with the team and (like Stafford) has mused openly about retiring. Simpson will compete with former Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett – likely for the number two spot.

Several Bama players were drafted in addition to Simpson and Proctor.

The Tide had receiver Germie Bernard go in the second round to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Defensive tackle LT Overton went in the fourth round to the Dallas Cowboys.

Center Parker Brailsford went in the fifth round to the Cleveland Browns.

Linebacker Justin Jefferson also went in the fifth round to the Cleveland Browns.

Tight end Josh Cuevas went in the fifth round to the Baltimore Ravens.

Safety Domani Jackson went in the sixth round to the Green Bay Packers.

Defensive Tackle Tim Keenan III joined Simpson in the seventh round with the Rams.

Running back Jam Miller went to the New England Patriots in the seventh round.

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