Rams Considered Drafting These 2 Players Over QB Ty Simpson

It's been a week since the first round of the 2026 NFL draft, and the Los Angeles Rams' selection of Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson 13th overall is still being hotly debated.

The Simpson selection came as a shock to many given the team's need for impact playmakers. During the team's 21-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game, the Rams were the victim of multiple missed opportunities near the goal line that would've sent them to the Super Bowl.

Adding Simpson to the QB room does nothing to fix that issue.

But according to The Athletic's Nate Atkins, L.A. did contemplate drafting two skill position players before ultimately landing on Simpson.

"The Rams did consider players at potential impact positions," Atkins wrote. "They looked into USC's Makai Lemon, who won the Biletnikoff Award as college football's top wide receiver. They examined Oregon's Kenyon Sadiq, who posted the fastest 40 time of any tight end since at least 2003.

"Had the Rams not taken Simpson, they would have gone with an offensive skill player, according to a team source. But it was difficult to see either rookie providing an immediate impact, given the Rams' crowded tight end room and the limited volume remaining for a third receiver to play behind Davante Adams and Puka Nacua."

Understanding the Rams' logic here is a tough one.

Lemon, who was recognized as the top receiver in college football last season, caught 79 passes for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns. He ranked eighth among all WRs in yards, was tied for ninth in touchdowns, and ranked 11th in receptions.

And with Nacua and Adams already entrenched ahead of him, Lemon wouldn't have been asked to produce 1,000 yards or 80 catches as a rookie. Not to mention given what L.A.'s WR depth chart looks like currently, Lemon would have been a clear and unquestioned upgrade over Xavier Smith, Jordan Whittingham, CJ Daniels, or anyone else who fills the WR3 role next season.

Conversely, Sadiq totaled 51 catches, 560 yards, and eight touchdowns. He led all college TEs in touchdowns, and ranked fifth in receptions and eighth in yards. A freakishly athletic and chiseled 245-pound Sadiq would've also pushed current tight ends Cody Parkinson and Tyler Higbee for playing time, and there's a good chance he would've won the TE1 job pretty early into his rookie year.

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This story was originally published April 30, 2026 at 12:24 PM.