Rams used the draft for exactly that reason, to plug roster shortfalls with functional starters while their top picks went for traded stars, and did that for years and won a title.
Since the title win they have switched gears and tried to build it more conventionally, but haven't had that much success with the players chosen up top. Verse his rookie season looked like he was going to be elite, but year two looked like he had been dosing his ass off or something as a rook. Dropoff either way. So them going after Garrett, McDuffie etc felt like a bit of a return to the old model to try to win a title with Stafford in his remaining window.
This is why the Simpson pick stood out. It was like they tried to do both. But in the end all that matters with Simpson is that he works his ass off and competes hard and becomes a top QB. If that happens then taking him will be a brilliant decision. Anything less and it will magnify that they could have taken another position who could have helped supplement this roster at one of several positions. There were WRs and DL who could have helped us there.
And thus far I'm happy with Simpson, as I have said numerous times since the end of preseason. He looks like a kid who busted his ass to learn the offense quickly. That's an enormously positive sign. This is why I think McVay is going to want to move forward and continue coaching and working with a young QB who has the talent he wants. I believe that will energize him, as he has grown a great deal as a coach during his tenure with us, and has said he appreciates the connection with the players more now (paraphrasing).
