If that's why Purdy has succeeded, why have an innumerable number of other QBs with a similar number of college starts failed? You're conflating correlation with causation.
Rams: (#13) 1st Round QB Ty Simpson
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In fact, I have a question for the people hung up on 15 starts. Arch Manning has also only started 15 games. If Arch Manning had declared this year, would you have argued that we should not draft him due to his lack of starts/reps?
It’s actually the single best reason not to take him. Unless you think he’s a generational player. Then go for it. But the Rams and Cardinals were the only teams with first round grades on him so I’m not sure that’s the case. If Simpson has a successful NFL career, he will be the first QB this century with his player profile to do so. Guys with this little experience at his size have not worked out. And even if you take size out of it, it’s still the same.
My understanding is that around his pro day he felt he was back to that weight. Maybe the official number is 211.
With working out, eating right, and physical development over a year or two, I think he can put on 10 lbs. 225 is not bad.
Go back to the Arch post and I’m making the exact same argument against Arch. I said he would need at least 2 years in college or else it would damage his growth. I’m making the exact same argument in that thread that I’m making in this one. QBs with one season of collegiate starting experience routinely get to the league and suck. Cam Newton is the only one drafted this century that hasn’t. Everyone else has.
WestCoastRam
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Sometimes frame gets in the way as does metabolism and how QBs put on muscle needs to be way more precise than other positions cause you don't want to screw up throwing motion.
Don't think 10lbs in 2 years is out of realm of possibility. 5 more likely. Bummer if he's maxed out at 215.
STOP WITH THESE ANNOYING HYPOTHETICALS THAT MAKE US UNCOMFORTABLE GIVING AN HONEST ANSWER!!!!!!!!!
LMAO. Great job Jerrah!
WestCoastRam
Legend
So Fowler says Rams got trade calls for 13, Schefty says no.
Time for some reporter on reporter crime!
(Diana, we miss you)
Time for some reporter on reporter crime!
(Diana, we miss you)
Kyler Murray is shorter than him and attempted fewer passes in college. He not only panned out, he won Offensive Rookie of the Year and then proceeded to have his two best seasons of his career in Years 2 and 3, making the Pro Bowl in both seasons. It's a silly argument, no different than the others I highlighted. If you have legitimate critiques of Simpson, I'm all ears. But the lazy critiques I won't be taking seriously.
WestCoastRam
Legend
I agree that the lack of game experience is the single biggest risk factor. However, in all of your examples of QBs who lacked game experience that failed, every one of them was rushed or pushed into starting immediately. Also, most of them on your list weren't known as mental maestros coming out of college.
Here's what I'll give you: this is a unique situation, the likes of which we've never seen before.
But because his greatest trait is his football IQ and because he'll be developing under Stafford and McVay for a year or two, I believe the lack of game experience risk is greatly mitigated. Time will tell.
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Los Angeles Rams
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B+
Los Angeles Rams
Draft picks:
- Round 1 (No. 13): QB Ty Simpson, Alabama
Analysis:
- The 2026 first-round pick the Rams acquired from the Falcons in a draft day deal last year turned into the 13th overall selection after a tough season for Atlanta. The Rams did not keep their own first-rounder, trading it to the Chiefs for CB Trent McDuffie. They also gave up two 2026 middle-round picks and a 2027 third-round pick for McDuffie, who must push the secondary to another level to make that trade to pay off.
- Coming into Thursday night, it seemed Simpson was likely to be picked in the middle or late part of the first round, so the Rams decided to beat the rush to their future starting quarterback. Reigning MVP Matthew Stafford is 38 years old, and the franchise might not get many opportunities to make such an early pick. A long-term investment in the QB position made a lot of sense.
- There's an argument to be made that the Rams could have used this pick for a receiver like Makai Lemon, edge rusher like Rueben Bain Jr., or one of the top offensive tackles available. However, I won't downgrade GM Les Snead for following the Green Bay Packers model of making a major draft investment in a QB to develop behind an established starter who is still playing at an elite level.
2026 NFL Draft: Snap grades for every team after Day 1
With the first day of the 2026 NFL Draft in the books, Chad Reuter reveals his snap grades for all 32 teams based on their Round 1 decisions.
www.nfl.com
We will turn Ty over to AD99 for boot camp. After Aaron gets through with him, Ty will be stiff-arming 350-pounders with ease.
Disagree. It's an important metric in evaluating any QB coming out in the draft. Not something you want to ignore. Going into the selection, and knowing what you're getting into in that regard, is valuable.
Simpson could very easily end up a backup QB at this level. He's got a lot to prove. He gives me Bulger vibes tbh, in that I liked how Bulger could win from the pocket (big element for me), also Bulger had smooth mechanics and was very intelligent. But on the other side as things break down he doesn't handle shit well. And as you consider that library of games he's actually started, you realize he's living on a lot of projection.
I think what McVay prioritized here is the fact Simpson can actually run his offense. And he's got the raw tools. He has some film where he's reading and making anticipation throws and the like. That stuff is valuable. But the sample size looms there, and we're not gonna see if he can sustain a high level of play until down the road when he gets a shot. At which time it is important to remember McVay kicked Goff to the curb due to his high standards.
We can keep arguing and rehashing this shit, as well. Or we can just move forward and hope the kid's got the goods. He definitely has a chance to be a starter at this level. Where we differ is on the likelihood of that, and whether it's gonna be enough for McVay.
It’s not a silly argument. It’s an argument being made by plenty of people on television today. People who know ball. And Kyler Murray just got cut. And using the Pro Bowl as an accomplishment is for casuals. Shadeur Sanders made the Pro Bowl last year. Kyler played in 1 playoff game and missed a million games. And he’s got a video game addiction.
There are so many QBs who maybe you can win games with, given a coach of McVay's quality. Look at Cousins. McVay won games with him, but it's not like he's gonna win a Super Bowl with Cousins at QB.
So we're not just talking about good enough to start at the NFL level. We're talking about good enough to start for McVay and that's a higher bar.
But the good thing here is at least McVay was the one who approved Simpson's drafting. It's not like Goff where he inherited the QB. Simpson will be his boy. So even if he doesn't work out, McVay will learn something from it.
So we're not just talking about good enough to start at the NFL level. We're talking about good enough to start for McVay and that's a higher bar.
But the good thing here is at least McVay was the one who approved Simpson's drafting. It's not like Goff where he inherited the QB. Simpson will be his boy. So even if he doesn't work out, McVay will learn something from it.
I’d love to be wrong. I’m just skeptical that Simpson could have 15 games worth of reps from 2021-2027, and then be expected to come in and perform in 2028. As I said in another post, I think Simpson has the tools to be a good player. He’s an anticipatory thrower, which is one of the hardest traits to teach. But I think he’s going to have 3-4 years of struggle before he turns into a top half of the league starter. And at that point he’ll be into his second contract already.
This pick has the anticipation for watching the pre-season unequalled in my lifetime.
The lack of starts doesn’t bother me due to:
1. He’s not an athlete developmental type. His super power is his processing & IQ
2. He’s not starting his 1st year. He’s got 1-2+ years to sit, learn, get some blowout snaps, training camp / preseason games, etc.
3. He’s has McVay and our incredible coaching staff.
Most/all of the guys referenced in this argument have none of the three above.
Mind you, I don’t like the pick. It’s not what I’d have done. But they know what they are doing. I’m behind them 100%!
1. He’s not an athlete developmental type. His super power is his processing & IQ
2. He’s not starting his 1st year. He’s got 1-2+ years to sit, learn, get some blowout snaps, training camp / preseason games, etc.
3. He’s has McVay and our incredible coaching staff.
Most/all of the guys referenced in this argument have none of the three above.
Mind you, I don’t like the pick. It’s not what I’d have done. But they know what they are doing. I’m behind them 100%!