History suggests Rams' Ty Simpson selection could yield stunning results

The Los Angeles Rams took Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. He was the second quarterback selected, after Fernando Mendoza went No. 1 to the Las Vegas Raiders. While Simpson was viewed as the next-best QB, some fans still fret over what they perceive as a wasted draft pick.

History suggests they shouldn't be so worried. Many standout quarterbacks were not the first selected in the draft. One of the most recent examples is the Houston Texans' CJ Stroud outperforming the Carolina Panthers' Bryce Young. That's just one example (though perhaps not the best one given Stroud was still the second pick that year).

In 2017, the second quarterback off the board was Patrick Mahomes, at No. 10. The first quarterback was Mitch Trubisky. In 2018, the second quarterback was Sam Darnold, at 3rd overall. The first, Baker Mayfield.

In 2019, Daniel Jones went second at No. 6 overall. Kyler Murray was the first QB chosen.

While it's not a guaranteed outcome, in recent years a given draft's 'QB2' has often matched or even exceeded the production of the first. Hot take alert: although Simpson went a bit later than the names above, he is a solid bet to continue that trend.

Simpson is perfectly positioned to take full-fledged flight

No quarterback stands on an island. In many ways, he depends entirely upon his teammates. The offensive line must protect him in the pocket. The rushing attack must be capable enough to keep the defense on its toes.

The quarterback can put the perfect spiral on a perfectly placed ball, but tight ends and wide receivers still have to haul it in, move the chains, and find the end zone.

The Raiders are trying to create a productive offense around Mendoza. The Rams boast last season's top-scoring offense. While Simpson will almost certainly sit out in 2026, he should have an excellent foundation to work with whenever he's ready to take over for Matthew Stafford (meaning, whenever Stafford is ready to let him).

Fans will need superhuman patience over the next year or two if the goal is to see Simpson in the pocket. That's not a bad thing. The primary knock against him was his single season of starting experience in college. As a backup, he'll have every opportunity to watch and learn. It's the perfect scenario, and the dedicated rookie is already showing signs of development.

Players can only perform when given the chance. Simpson will not have an instant opportunity in Los Angeles, but he's on the right path, in the right environment, to optimize his potential. This kid has plenty of it. Don't be too surprised if, four or five years down the road, it's difficult to tell he went 12 picks after Mendoza in the draft.

As always, thanks for reading.

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