Rams pick of Ty Simpson could be horrendous for Puka Nacua and Davante Adams reason

The Los Angeles Rams made the most shocking move of the 2026 NFL Draft by taking Ty Simpson, the Alabama quarterback, in the first round.

It was a true shocker and was instantly panned as a bad decision. And things could get a whole lot worse in the future as well.

As ESPN's Sarah Bishop pointed out, the Rams, if they were to lose Puka Nacua and/or Davante Adams during the NFL season, then their decision to take Simspon and pass on wide receiver help will look a whole lot worse.

Rams pick of Ty Simpson could look worse if Nacua or Adams get hurt

"Was it a risk to draft quarterback Ty Simpson at No. 13 instead of a player who could help the Rams win the Super Bowl in2 026?" Bishop writes. "If either misses extended time, the Rams might wish they had drafted a player who could help them win right now."

Los Angeles wound up picking Simpson with the 13th pick over a few playmakers that could've provided an instant-spark on the offensive side of the ball.

Most notably, they passed on USC's Makai Lemon, who fell to No. 20, to the Philadelphia Eagles. KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston, who both went to the Cleveland Browns, could've been good options at No. 13 as well.

More: Sean McVay reveals Rams did have Davante Adams trade talks this offseason

Omar Cooper Jr. and Kenyon Sadiq both went to the New York Jets after the Simpson pick, and either would've made sense at the No. 13 pick, even if they were slight reaches.

The Rams are one injury away to Nacua or Adams from having a very concerning WR room. With Nacua's history of injury issues and his tendency to get banged up at times, and Adams getting up there in age, this is a very precarious situation for Los Angeles.

If the Rams took Lemon, Cooper, Sadiq, Concepcion, or Boston at No. 13 or after a trade-down, then they would have an extra weapon for 2026 to help them win the Super Bowl, and some insurance in case one of their WRs were to go down.

This decision to take Simpson over a litany of players who could help the team in 2026 is going to be a hot topic all year for the Rams, especially if Nacua or Adams were to get hurt and leave the WR room much weaker.

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