Which QB should the Rams draft next year and where?

[Coliseum Ram]

Add Mel Kiper to McShay, Pelissero and Riddick on the Rams/Simpson "connection."

Mel Kiper Jr. says Rams are the ‘best fit’ if this 2026 QB slides

The Los Angeles Rams might find themselves a future quarterback in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft.

theramswire.usatoday.com

 

[Merlin]

Yeah, but that's beside the point for me. I wouldn't have been excited about Gabbert as my team's backup either. Franklin is not a good QB developer. And the QB coaching on his staff was atrocious. But the issues I see in Allar's game are bigger than coaching. I understand why some people like him. They see 6'5" 235 with a big-time arm and some mobility. They think about what's possible if he figures it out. I see fool's gold.

I'm sure some folks will say that spending a fifth round pick on a guy with Allar's tools and upside is worth the gamble. I don't feel that way. I'll spend a Day 3 pick on Cole Payton's tools and upside. You can genuinely say that lack of experience is a big problem for him. It's easy to believe he can improve with time. Allar isn't inexperienced, but he continues to play like he is. That's why I'll take Jalon Daniels in the late 6th or 7th round over Allar. Daniels doesn't have Allar's size or arm strength, but he's better at playing QB. Plus, I'd love to have an athletic QB behind Stafford.

I'm not a fan of Allar either for the record. And I doubt McVay will take a shot on him. In addition to what you mention I'd also question his competitiveness. But if we do end up taking him at least it won't be with a more valuable pick.

Anyway I also prefer Payton of the full sized project types in this draft class. I have a feeling, though, that instead we'll watch Green Bay take him and McVay will end up with one of the smaller options round 5 or later. I've nuked the hell out of these QBs and the one who probably did the most in the face of the most penetration snap to snap was Klubnik. He has an innate feel in the pocket and speed/mobility that I think will be attractive to McVay. And I think he's the QB most flying under the radar due to the disappointment of Clemson's season.

Not that I think Klubnik is great or anything. Again he's a midround prospect. But I do think his film tells a more optimistic story than the film of many of these other small QBs.

Second on that under the radar list would be Altmyer. Who has long term backup written all over him. But maybe that's what the Rams will be fishing for when they take a shot on this position rounds 5+.

 

[WestCoastRam]

Allar is just rooooooough BUT if a team like the Rams picks him I can at least see the path for him and the reasons why.

Poor decision making and terrible accuracy probably sink him but peak physical tools and complete lack of QB development infrastructure going back to high school could be reasons why he could sit and eventually become something. Thing is, I highly doubt him sitting would need to be just a 1 year thing, ideally you'd sit him for 2-3 years which we don't have the luxury of doing really.

 

[Memphis Ram]

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/1t8q6ihjN-Q?si=VlsPibk2YP_PHK62

 

[jjab360]

I think the problem here is that draft "experts" are feeling the need to slot Ty Simpson somewhere in the first round and the Rams are the one team with draft capital, infrastructure in place to develop a young QB, and no real clear need except for CB.

I see the logic but unfortunately I just don't think Simpson is that guy. I don't think he's even close to the prospect Goff was and we saw how highly this front office valued Goff when we shipped him off as a throw in to get a QB with true elite talent in Stafford.

 

[duanevalle22]

I think the problem here is that draft "experts" are feeling the need to slot Ty Simpson somewhere in the first round and the Rams are the one team with draft capital, infrastructure in place to develop a young QB, and no real clear need except for CB.

I see the logic but unfortunately I just don't think Simpson is that guy. I don't think he's even close to the prospect Goff was and we saw how highly this front office valued Goff when we shipped him off as a throw in to get a QB with true elite talent in Stafford.

I don't know what the Rams are gonna do about Stafford's successor. The good is Stafford for the most part managed to stay healthy the whole season.

I guess we can worry about it in 2027, but that might be too late and could be watching Stetson throw interceptions all over Sofi for two seasons.

I still say the Rams should make an effort at trying to get the #1 pick (mendoza) and if that means losing one of our established guys, I say do it.

 

[PhillyRam]

I think the problem here is that draft "experts" are feeling the need to slot Ty Simpson somewhere in the first round and the Rams are the one team with draft capital, infrastructure in place to develop a young QB, and no real clear need except for CB.

I see the logic but unfortunately I just don't think Simpson is that guy. I don't think he's even close to the prospect Goff was and we saw how highly this front office valued Goff when we shipped him off as a throw in to get a QB with true elite talent in Stafford.

I think they want the Rams to draft him because it is the perfect fit for the kid to succeed and the draft guys like to see these guys succeed.

I am torn myself, especially if there at 29. You have to look at it where can Simpson exceed expectations by sitting for maybe 2 years and learning under Stafford. Maybe he gets in a game here and there if Stafford gets nicked up. And then in 2028 he steps in and can be a better version of Brock Purdy.

If you can get that type of QB, with one late first rd pick, that is a win. Certainly better than gambling on a guy by burning a high first rd pick, if the Rams have a down year, or trading multiple high picks to take a chance on a kid that might be forced to play early.

 

[Memento]

Only realistic QB I'd draft is Cole Payton in the second or third round. Without Chambliss in the draft, it's basically Mendoza and then a bunch of JAGs at best, but Payton at least has the physical traits and won't get overdrafted at #13 like Simpson will.

 

[Tano]

I think the problem here is that draft "experts" are feeling the need to slot Ty Simpson somewhere in the first round and the Rams are the one team with draft capital, infrastructure in place to develop a young QB, and no real clear need except for CB.

I see the logic but unfortunately I just don't think Simpson is that guy. I don't think he's even close to the prospect Goff was and we saw how highly this front office valued Goff when we shipped him off as a throw in to get a QB with true elite talent in Stafford.

I would be extremely disappointed in the Rams if they drafted Simpson in the first 3 rounds. I would be okay if they drafted him anywhere after that.

 

[Memento]

I would be extremely disappointed in the Rams if they drafted Simpson in the first 3 rounds. I would be okay if they drafted him anywhere after that.

They'd have to draft Simpson at #13. The Steelers, Dolphins, and Jets all need a QB and are all in the later ranges to take him before our pick at #29.

That's the main reason why I absolutely do not want the Rams to draft Simpson, plus the reason that I don't feel like he'll be any fitting after Stafford.

Personally, I'd rebuild the secondary and give Stafford one or two extra weapons (whether it's receiver or tight end) with the first three picks we have, should be not trade out of them, and pick the QB after we win the Super Bowl next year.

 

[So Ram]

I would be extremely disappointed in the Rams if they drafted Simpson in the first 3 rounds. I would be okay if they drafted him anywhere after that.

Can’t wait for this post to not be relevant anymore.When did this thing (post)start,like 8 months ago? We know Stetson is going to be the 3rd string QB for sure in 2026.
Curious about where Jimmy G ends up ?? Mcvay always says he is a starting NFL caliber starting QB.I’ll go by coach speak for now.
Take this post for the little entertainment value it has.

 

[Tano]

They'd have to draft Simpson at #13. The Steelers, Dolphins, and Jets all need a QB and are all in the later ranges to take him before our pick at #29.

That's the main reason why I absolutely do not want the Rams to draft Simpson, plus the reason that I don't feel like he'll be any fitting after Stafford.

Personally, I'd rebuild the secondary and give Stafford one or two extra weapons (whether it's receiver or tight end) with the first three picks we have, should be not trade out of them, and pick the QB after we win the Super Bowl next year.

Oh I completely agree with you that he will probably be drafted in the first maybe second at the latest.

But I personally would not take him before our 5th round pick.

 

[Merlin]

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/1t8q6ihjN-Q?si=VlsPibk2YP_PHK62

I happen to agree with Emmit Smith on his opinion on this segment. And I think he sums it up perfectly in saying those other QBs are trying to get to that level. However a couple things bug me about that exchange.

First is the fact that quality of team around the QB matters. If you were to give Buffalo a defense of the quality Seattle had this year, or Houston, it is likely Allen would have won it all. Also you have idiots like Dilfer wearing Super Bowl rings based on the fact they had a great team around them. So there is a scale, like it or not, where the team around the QB can get him there. And great QBs can get there with less around them. Which means winning a title alone cannot be the sole metric in the conversation. At the very least this remains in the highly subjective realm of "what was in place around him." Which I think is very important not only in this conversation but also when you are evaluating QBs in college and projecting them to the NFL.

Second thing I don't like is this "well Emmit was a Hall of Famer so he's right" insinuation. Not all great players have a great eye for this game. And having an eye for this is a talent just like running the 40 at a fast time or being physical enough to knock another player off the ball. These guys who have that eye talent just end up in the scouting dept and going the suit route if they're good enough at it, instead of wearing the uniform.

 

[PhillyRam]

Only realistic QB I'd draft is Cole Payton in the second or third round. Without Chambliss in the draft, it's basically Mendoza and then a bunch of JAGs at best, but Payton at least has the physical traits and won't get overdrafted at #13 like Simpson will.

Well, physical traits are important, but would you rather have had have Jamarcus Russell or Drew Brees? How about Anthony Richardson or Jalen Hurts? Or say Will Levis or Brock Purdy?

Just examples of physically gifted guys being outplayed by guys with less physical talent.

 

[PhillyRam]

I have seen fans and some talking heads ask, "Why would McVay take Simpson when he gave up on a more talented QB like Goff?"

I don't think that is an accurate characterization on why he "gave up on Goff". I think he lost faith in Goff's desire to work at some of the basics of QB play, like blitz recognition and and how to counter that and other schemes that teams were throwing at him.

I don't think itvwas a talented issue. It was the realization that he was leveling off, and maybe regressing. Look at the Miami game that year. Also, the Jets game. Goff was making foolish mistakes and something had to change.

If a guy like Simpson is great on the mental aspects of the position, then his physical traits are enough for him to be very successful. Especially, when paired with McVay and Simpson's very good mental approach, running McVay's offense.

 

[Memphis Ram]

I have seen fans and some talking heads ask, "Why would McVay take Simpson when he gave up on a more talented QB like Goff?"

I don't think that is an accurate characterization on why he "gave up on Goff". I think he lost faith in Goff's desire to work at some of the basics of QB play, like blitz recognition and and how to counter that and other schemes that teams were throwing at him.

I don't think itvwas a talented issue. It was the realization that he was leveling off, and maybe regressing. Look at the Miami game that year. Also, the Jets game. Goff was making foolish mistakes and something had to change.

If a guy like Simpson is great on the mental aspects of the position, then his physical traits are enough for him to be very successful. Especially, when paired with McVay and Simpson's very good mental approach, running McVay's offense.

Especially if he's more willing to use his legs to keep defenses honest.

 

[dieterbrock]

I think the problem here is that draft "experts" are feeling the need to slot Ty Simpson somewhere in the first round and the Rams are the one team with draft capital, infrastructure in place to develop a young QB, and no real clear need except for CB.

I see the logic but unfortunately I just don't think Simpson is that guy. I don't think he's even close to the prospect Goff was and we saw how highly this front office valued Goff when we shipped him off as a throw in to get a QB with true elite talent in Stafford.

Well, McVay didn’t draft Goff so I’m not seeing how JG plays in to this.
What we do know is that the the Rams did sign John Wolford, Bryce Perkins and drafted Stetson Bennett, all qb’s with the ability to make plays with their feet
So I think anyone who thinks they know the blueprint McVay/Sneed have for their “future qb” are likely mistaken

 

[Memphis Ram]

Only realistic QB I'd draft is Cole Payton in the second or third round. Without Chambliss in the draft, it's basically Mendoza and then a bunch of JAGs at best, but Payton at least has the physical traits and won't get overdrafted at #13 like Simpson will.

IMO, unless he's going to be given a Taysom Hill type role, it would make less sense to use a day two pick on a project QB with even fewer starts than Simpson and against far lesser competition (Payton). Day three selection at best.

 

[Flatlyner]

Does anyone think JJ McCarthy has any chance of being successful? Hearing that he is likely to be moved, and not for much. Wonder if 2 years behind a HOF would amplify his growth? I did not do much film watching of JJ, nor have a seen a ton of his pro games, but from what I've seen of that, he's had 1 good game and bunch of terrible.

Anyways, food for thought about a cheap version of getting a young guy to develop. But again, CAN he be developed?

 

[Tano]

Well, McVay didn’t draft Goff so I’m not seeing how JG plays in to this.
What we do know is that the the Rams did sign John Wolford, Bryce Perkins and drafted Stetson Bennett, all qb’s with the ability to make plays with their feet
So I think anyone who thinks they know the blueprint McVay/Sneed have for their “future qb” are likely mistaken

Edit - looking at this it looks like a sarcastic k but basically I am nodding my head and saying Okay- I can see that