Surprising Reason Rams Didn't Draft Makai Lemon, Kenyon Sadiq Over Ty Simpson Revealed in New Rumors

The Los Angeles Rams' skill-position depth reportedly played a pivotal role in their decision to use the No. 13 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft on Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson.

According to Nate Atkins of The Athletic, the Rams looked into the idea of taking USC wide receiver Makai Lemon or Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq, but the organization found it "difficult to see either rookie providing an immediate impact" because of what the team already has at wide receiver and tight end.

Atkins noted that the Rams would have taken a skill-position player had they not drafted Simpson even though it wasn't necessarily among the team's biggest needs.

L.A. already has arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL in Puka Nacua and a potential Hall of Famer in Davante Adams, plus a bevy of quality tight ends, including Colby Parkinson, Tyler Higbee and Terrance Ferguson, plus 2026 second-round pick Max Klare.

The Rams probably could have used a WR3 to play behind and provide insurance for Nacua and Adams, especially after losing Tutu Atwell to the Miami Dolphins in free agency, but they allowed Lemon to fall to the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 20 overall instead.

Meanwhile, the New York Jets snagged Sadiq at No. 16, securing a dynamic weapon for whichever quarterback they most likely select in the first round of the 2027 draft.

In Simpson, the Rams drafted a talented signal-caller who figures to be the heir apparent to 38-year-old Matthew Stafford.

Ty Simpson highlights

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Stafford is still at the top of his game, as evidenced by the fact that he won his first NFL MVP Award last season, but given his age, there is no telling how much longer he will be able to play at an elite level.

Drafting his eventual replacement rather than someone who can help him now may not have been an ideal scenario for Stafford, but perhaps any potential hard feelings about the move were mitigated by the fact that the Rams traded the No. 29 overall pick to the Kansas City Chiefs for star cornerback Trent McDuffie.

The Rams are coming off an NFC Championship Game appearance and they are among the most complete teams in the NFL, so even with using the No. 13 overall pick on an asset that may not matter until two or three years from now, they figure to enter the 2026 season as one of the top Super Bowl contenders in the league.