A year after Shedeur Sanders' stunning fall from first-round hopeful to late-round draft pick, another perplexing passer was all the buzz at the NFL draft Thursday night.
With the 13th overall pick, the Los Angeles Rams selected undersized and inexperienced quarterback Ty Simpson out of Alabama to serve an apprenticeship under NFL MVP Matthew Stafford.
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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell hands out a card from the stage during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson puts on a hat after being chosen by the Los Angeles Rams with the 13th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Tennessee defensive back Colton Hood poses on the red carpet before the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Ohio State defensive lineman Kayden McDonald poses on the red carpet before the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Simpson's selection was the biggest shocker on the draft's opening night in Pittsburgh, but there were a few others that also pushed value into the top of the second round Friday night, when the San Francisco 49ers own the first pick.
Rams general manager Les Snead made a first-round pick for only the second time in the past decade — and he turned in a surprise by taking Simpson, who wasn’t considered a first-round talent on most draft boards.
Simpson was a starter for only one season with the Crimson Tide, passing for 3,567 yards and leading them to the Rose Bowl after three seasons as a backup.
Other players who went higher than many anticipated included Clemson offensive lineman Blake Miller to Detroit at No. 17, Georgia Tech guard Keylan Rutledge to Houston at 26 and Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods to the Chiefs at 29.
Two University of Tennessee cornerbacks are among the prime prospects expected to go early in the second round: Colton Hood, who also played at Auburn and Colorado; and Jermod McCoy, who missed the 2025 season with a torn ACL.
Others who could hear their names called early in Round 2 include:
A high-energy defensive back, McNeil-Warren is a tall (almost 6-foot-4, 201 pounds), long safety who makes big hits his hallmark. He’s just as aggressive tackling ballcarriers as he is in hitting wide receivers. He forced eight fumbles in four seasons at Toledo.
Hill has exceptional speed (low 4.4 in the 40) for his size (6-foot-3, 238 pounds). He works around blockers with quickness and an elite change of direction and he sports impressive closing speed. He collected 17 sacks and forced eight fumbles in three years in Austin.
The SEC Defensive Player of the Year had 11 1/2 sacks and 14 tackles for loss last season. He's undersized for a pass rusher but has proven he gets to the quarterback and finishes. He has the burst to knife through the line and disrupt things behind the line of scrimmage.
Terrell is an athletic, if undersized (5-foot-11, 180 pounds), cornerback with great quickness and instincts. An active and willing tackler and an outstanding blitzer, his NFL future is almost certainly at nickel as he’s most effective in underneath zone coverage.
Boston is strong, fast and has elite ball skills. At 6-foot-4 and 212 pounds, he’s a big target lining up both outside and in the slot. He boasts strength and a long stride and can wall off defenders at any level downfield. He scored 20 TDs over the last two seasons.
McDonald was expected to join Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles as Buckeyes defenders going in the first round. He’s a natural run defender who’ll clog the middle of the line. At 6-foot-3 and 326 pounds, he has excellent size and strength for the position.
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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell hands out a card from the stage during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson puts on a hat after being chosen by the Los Angeles Rams with the 13th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Tennessee defensive back Colton Hood poses on the red carpet before the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Ohio State defensive lineman Kayden McDonald poses on the red carpet before the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
