If the Los Angeles Rams want to leave day one of the draft with a quarterback to develop behind Matthew Stafford, rarely do we ever have such a clear consensus of the single option on the board: Alabama’s Ty Simpson.
After Fernando Mendoza goes first, the Simpson watch begins at 2 and possibly lasts all the way until 32, if not into day 2. The one thing there isn’t a consensus on is where Simpson gets drafted and by which team, only that he’s widely expected to be the second quarterback off of the board.
The Rams pick 13th and “have done extensive work” on Simpson before the draft.
If the Rams want Simpson but not at 13, how far would they be able to trade down?
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero outlined some interested teams for Simpson on Twitter, starting with the Rams:
The Rams, who own the No. 13 overall pick, have done extensive work on Simpson. The Dolphins (picks 11 and 30), Cardinals (3 and 34) and Browns (6 and 24) brought him in for visits, while the Jets – who own the two first-round picks in this draft (2 and 16), plus the first pick in Round 2 at No. 33 and three first-rounders in 2027 – did a private workout. “If I’m the Jets, I’m Aaron Glenn, I’m drafting the Alabama quarterback. I might even take him at No. 2 overall,” a second NFC coordinator said. “If I’m the front office or the owner, I’m absolutely not.” Said an AFC executive: “He’s the second quarterback. It’s not, like, that surprising. He’s a one-year starter who had half a season of great play, really good play, and a half a season where you’re like ehh that’s probably why he’s a one-year starter. I think he sneaks into the back end (of Round 1).”
If the Rams want to trade down and still have a shot at drafting the second-best quarterback in the class, do they need to stay ahead of the Cleveland Browns at pick 24?
Eagles at 23
With the Eagles expected to trade A.J. Brown after June 1st (Adam Schefter reports that he’s going to be a Patriot), Philadelphia could be looking to move up for a receiver. And we know that per Todd McShay, the Rams might be out on receivers in round one anyway.
The Eagles have two thirds and two fourths.
Possibly the Eagles would trade pick 98 in the third round to move up from 23 to 13.
I know that Rams fans would be appalled at such a low-ball offer, but that’s the state of the 2026 draft class. There’s not much value in it already.
Maybe Les Snead could convince Howie Roseman to deal a third and a sixth. I’d be surprised if L.A. got more than that, but if the Rams still get the player they want at 23, then what does it matter?
Steelers at 21
Pittsburgh does have a boatload of picks, but they’re usually more reluctant to trade up than the Eagles.
The Steelers have three third round picks and seven picks on day three. Could the Steelers be enticed to trade up for an offensive tackle like Monroe Freeling given the injury setback for Broderick Jones?
Maybe in that case the Rams could offer pick 13 and get back picks 21, 99, 121, and 224.
Vikings at 18
A lot of people are expecting Minnesota to draft the best edge rusher left on the board at 18. If Rueben Bain is sitting there at 13 after sliding a little bit, would the Vikings be willing to come up for him?
The Vikings have extra picks in the third and the seventh. Perhaps Snead would ask for a third and give back a seventh.
Should the Rams trade back?
It seems like every team wants to trade back, which is the problem right there. Many trades are expected on Thursday night, but the returns on those deals will feel underwhelming to the fans currently begging their GMs to trade back.
But if the Rams did extensive work on Simpson and came away impressed, they might not want to take the risk to trade back and lose him. If their intel says that he can move down a little bit and still get him, then adding day three picks is fortunate. Is it worth it for your supposed franchise quarterback though?
So the Rams might trade back, but it might not be to specifically get Simpson. It could just be that Simpson would still be an option if L.A. traded back and he was still on the board. But if the Rams aren’t impressed with Simpson then maybe they’ll trade back so someone else can get him instead.
