Why you should target Ty Simpson in rookie drafts

Nobody asked, so here’s my argument for why you should take Ty Simpson around 1.08 - 1.10.

On Simpson:

• McVay and Snead know more than I do, and they know more than you do.

• McSnead made the decision to draft Simpson at 13. That’s a huge statement by itself. It means even more in the context of the Rams, where Stafford is in his career, and the QB class coming out in the next year or two. This is a commitment to Simpson for the future. I totally understand that doesn’t always pan out, but I think the probability of success is higher for QBs in competent organizations.

• Taking Simpson in this draft allows the Rams to let everyone else fight over those QBs in 27/28 while they can pick up other skill positions at a discount. The Rams will most likely be picking at the latter half of the draft next year. Would they rather have to move up to the single-digits for a QB, or add a stud WR by moving up a couple spots and keeping way more draft capital?

My expectation for Simpson is that he will be a solid starter in 2028, possibly sooner if Stafford gets hurt. Will he be Josh Allen? Almost certainly not. I’m thinking production similar to Goff or Mayfield (with competent coaching and decent weapons), which is top-12 material.

On the other guys you might be considering:

• Sadiq: Elite traits but poor performance profile. There’s a scenario where he’s a great TE, but I find it hard to see him as a focal point in that offense. I don’t see him as a big red-zone target either (I might be wrong). I don’t think he’ll have a fantastic 2026, and I think that it’s going to be a headache to start him each week.

• Cooper: I think I’m higher than most on Cooper, but, again, I don’t think he’ll ever be the focal point of an offense. I think he’ll be a decent WR2. Again, I think he’ll be frustrating to start in 2026.

• KC: I have KC in a tier above Simpson because I think that he can be the WR1 in Cleveland. But, most people have him lower, so you might be considering him in this tier. I think 2026 will be rocky, but I think he’ll be an excellent fantasy producer in 2027 and beyond.

What do all of those guys have in common with Simpson? You’re probably not winning in 2026 because of them. The WRs might win you a week or two, but probably not league winners.

In my mind, the question then becomes: Which player offers the most value in 2027 and beyond?

That’s clearly Simpson. He has a really good shot at becoming the Rams starting QB in the next 2 years after developing behind MVP Stafford and HC Sean McVay. This paves the way to top-12 production at QB.

The other guys in that range? Sure, one of them might hit, but I have a hard time seeing anyone apart from KC being the focal point on their teams, with WR2/3 outcomes most years as a ceiling.

tl;dr: Simpson will be a starter on the Rams with additional weaponry from the 27/28 draft class that they may have not been able to acquire if they picked differently at 13. The other guys are likely to have frustrating 2026 seasons, and will probably not have the ceiling that Simpson has in fantasy in 2027 and beyond.