The phrase “where there’s smoke, there’s fire” doesn’t always apply in the NFL draft. Sometimes, smoke turns into smoke screens, with teams feigning interest in a player to manipulate the board one way or another.

But when it comes to the Los Angeles Rams and Ty Simpson, the interest appears to be real. Adam Schefter reported Monday that before trading the No. 29 pick for Trent McDuffie, the Rams considered that a potential spot to take Simpson if he were to fall that far.

Now, Tom Pelissero is adding fuel to the fire. The NFL Network insider wrote on Monday that the Rams have “done extensive work on Simpson.”

Said a second NFC executive: “There’s very much a developmental feel for his play. He hasn’t played a lot of ball. I think from what we’ve been spoiled with the past couple years of guys coming in and producing in Year 1, we’ve got to take the slow-roasting approach, versus instant quarterback. I don’t know if it’s the Rams want to take him and sit him for a year – those are going to be the best situations for him to be the best version of himself, because he has ability. He just doesn’t have a lot of time on task.”

The Rams, who own the No. 13 overall pick, have done extensive work on Simpson.

Simpson has the tools to be a starting quarterback in the NFL, but he’s also pretty raw as a prospect. With only one season of experience as the QB1 in Tuscaloosa, there are clear flaws in his game, which he showed in the second half of the 2025 season when he struggled badly, even against a lesser team like Eastern Illinois.

He’s the perfect quarterback to sit for a year as a backup before giving him a chance to compete for the starting job in 2027, assuming Matthew Stafford doesn’t come back for another year.

The problem for the Rams is they’re (most likely) not going to take him 13th overall, and they don’t have another pick until 61. He’ll probably be gone by then, so if they really want Simpson, they’ll either have to trade up from the second round or move back in Round 1 to get him.

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: NFL draft rumors: Rams have 'done extensive work' on Ty Simpson