Rams' Ty Simpson pick was written in the tea leaves for anyone looking

Some NFL analysts were stunned. Many fans were as well. But the truth is that when the Los Angeles Rams selected Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick, nobody should have been surprised.

The Rams were high on Simpson from the start. Moreover, the quarterback room was barren at season's end, with only Stetson Bennett behind Matthew Stafford on the depth chart.

A day before the draft, analyst Todd McShay appeared on "The Herd" with Colin Cowherd and outright predicted that the Rams would select Simpson. He explained at length that Los Angeles had good reasons to make the pick.

While McShay's mock draft 5.0 had LA taking Simpson at No. 13, McShay also suggested the Rams would likely trade back to acquire additional picks and still land the Crimson Tide QB later in the first round. So what happened to derail that?

Rams-Simpson connection was obvious to anyone paying attention

Well, it takes two to tango. Without a willing trade partner, there is no trade. LA reportedly had plans to trade the 13th pick to the Lions, who owned No. 17, but Detroit didn't pull the trigger.

Reports after the fact indicated that the Lions had coveted Alabama tackle Kadyn Proctor, selected by the Miami Dolphins just one pick before the Horns had the podium. No Proctor, no trade.

Still, clues were everywhere. Analyst Dan Orlovsky, the rare bird consistently attuned to the Rams' strategy, viewed Simpson as a true first-round prospect. McShay himself had hinted that, due to the desperation of quarterback-needy teams, Simpson might be selected as early as sixth overall.

Even here, the tea leaves hinted unmistakably at Simpson's selection by the Rams - no magic or crystal ball required. It was the perfect storm of need, available talent, and ideal opportunity.

LA has met no shortage of critics for the pick. If Simpson does pan out, everyone will forget the criticisms and naysayers. Even rookie quarterbacks who start and have the entire offensive playbook rewritten to feature their strengths can struggle in their first season.

The Rams are neither starting him this season nor altering their offense to help Simpson along. In that context, jumping to judgment makes less sense than ever.

Los Angeles is the perfect spot for Simpson, as he will get at least a full year of classroom instruction from Stafford and a coaching staff of quarterback whisperers before he is tested against NFL defenses.

Even so, it can be haunting to think of investing such a valuable pick with no immediate return. It is better, however, to wait for the payout than to seek instant gratification. Simpson's value to the Rams is what it is because they have the luxury of biding their time.

Be patient. It will be worth the wait.

As always, thanks for reading.

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