Rams Draft Explained: The Ty Simpson Plan Everyone Missed. Inside the Rams' Long Game

What this episode covers

Erin Coscarelli and Rams Super Bowl Champion OT Rob Havenstein are joined by The Athletic's Rams beat writer Nate Atkins to deep dive the real strategy behind LA's 2026 NFL Draft. How long have Les Snead and Sean McVay been planning to take Ty Simpson at #13? Nate reveals Rams' plans to secure a succession quarterback behind Matthew Stafford while simultaneously freeing up future first-round picks for aggressive trades. Four days removed, the controversy looks a lot different. This wasn’t just a quarterback pick but a long-term roster strategy. The crew dives into how the Rams balanced “win now” with future planning, why taking Simpson now unlocks flexibility for future deals, and how this front office continues to think bigger than a single draft slot. Rob also explains why the Stafford-Simpson dynamic won’t disrupt the locker room, while the group agrees the Rams’ biggest impact moves may still be coming—especially as the trade deadline approaches. So why did it feel so messy in the moment? We get into how optics, messaging, and Sean McVay’s draft night demeanor fueled the backlash—and why the logic tells a completely different story. If you thought the Rams reached… you might’ve missed the strategy. This front office may have played the long game better than anyone realized.

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