Why didn't Rams trade down for Ty Simpson? 3 better options than picking QB at No. 13

The story of the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft was the Los Angeles Rams, who stunned the league by taking Alabama QB Ty Simpson at No. 13 overall.

The Rams were not connected to Simpson much during the draft process considering their starting quarterback, Matthew Stafford, won the MVP award last year. However, Stafford is 38 years-old and is facing retirement soon, so Simpson gives Los Angeles a potential successor to learn behind the veteran this year.

While the Rams got the player they wanted at No. 13, many analysts consider it a reach because they though Simpson would fall to the end of the first round. So, it's possible that Los Angeles could have traded back in the first round and still gotten Simpson to secure a successful night.

With that in mind, here's a look at why the Rams didn't trade down and a few teams who may have been interested in trading up.

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Why didn't Rams trade down for Ty Simpson

The Rams ultimately stood pat at No. 13 to take Ty Simpson, which was one of the biggest surprises of the night, even though many analysts thought Simpson would fall. In fact, there was a question whether Simpson would even go in the first round altogether.

After taking Simpson, Snead explained why he felt comfortable standing firm at No. 13 to take Simpson.

"Based on where we're at as a team, and what we're trying to accomplish, we don't pick that early (in the draft) often," Snead said, via Stu Jackson. "You have a draft where this quarterback was falling somewhere into middle (of the) first round, late, wherever he was gonna go, was it a chance to make that move and move forward."

The two teams most connected with Simpson entering the draft were the Arizona Cardinals and New York Jets, but the belief was both those teams could target the quarterback with the first two picks of the second round. however, since the Rams traded their original No. 29 pick to acquire Trent McDuffie, Los Angeles didn't have another pick until pick No. 61.

MORE: Did Sean McVay want the Rams to draft Ty Simpson?

Three trade down options Rams could have made

Buccaneers at No. 15

As Rueben Bain Jr. was sliding down the draft, the Rams might have been able to get the Buccaneers to jump up two spots to secure Bain. The Miami pass rusher was expected to be a top-10 pick, but ended up falling unexpectedly allowing Tampa Bay to take him with the No. 15 pick in the draft.

When the Buccaneers landed Bain, it was clear the team was excited.

Bucs general manager Jason Licht said of drafting Rueben Bain Jr. at No. 15: "[I] probably have never seen a more excited draft room." https://t.co/q8ACjfDqXT

The only team between the Rams and Buccaneers on Thursday night was the Baltimore Ravens, who stayed at No. 14 to take Olaivavega Ioane. Baltimore was not a threat to select Ty Simpson, so Los Angeles wouldn't have had to worry about losing the quarterback in that situation.

Lions at No. 17

The Lions were considered a team to watch to possibly trade up from No. 17 in order to select their preferred offensive lineman. In fact, Lions GM Brad Holmes admitted to considering a trade up before taking OT Blake Mille at 17, but stood down once the Rams took Simpson.

The concern for the Rams here may have been dropping behind the Jets, who had the No. 16 pick in the draft. While the Jets took Kenyon Sadiq with that pick, and were not likely to use the 16th selection to take Simpson, that threat in general may have been too much for Los Angeles.

Eagles at No. 23

The Eagles are a team that did trade up, as they moved up from No. 23 to No. 20 to select wide receiver Makai Lemon. Perhaps the Rams could have explored a trade back of 10 spots and take Simpson at No. 23, where the pick would've been of better value.

Of course, just because Philadelphia trade up three spots doesn't mean it would've traded up 10 spots. The Eagles succeeded the night by being patient to get Lemon, and a trade up would either have meant giving up more for the same player or taking a different player, like TE Kenyon Sadiq.