Rams Viewed Cardinals As Ty Simpson Threat; Lions Offered L.A. First-Round Trade

Key Points:

• The Los Angeles Rams surprised many by selecting quarterback Ty Simpson from Alabama with the 13th overall pick, envisioning him as a developmental talent behind Matthew Stafford.
• Despite receiving trade offers, including one from the Detroit Lions, the Rams chose to keep their first-round pick and select Simpson, reflecting strong confidence from GM Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay.
• The Rams viewed the Arizona Cardinals as a significant threat for Simpson, who had been heavily linked to the Cardinals before the draft, but Los Angeles decided against trading down to secure him.
• The team’s commitment to Simpson includes a substantial rookie contract due to his high draft position, signaling a long-term plan for the quarterback despite the presence of veteran backups like Jimmy Garoppolo.
• By drafting Simpson, the Rams have increased their flexibility with future draft picks, particularly for 2027, as no team traded away first-round picks in that upcoming draft during this year's selections.