MidValleySports.Com

NFL Draft: First Round – Thursday April 23

By Tim Peterson

The Rams took Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th pick. The Rams became the first team to have a quarterback win MVP (Matthew Stafford) then select a quarterback in the subsequent draft since the Green Bay Packers in 1967. Bart Starr won MVP in 1966 and Green Bay drafted Don Horn 25th overall the following year.

Rams head Coach Sean McVay proclaimed that the Rams are still Matthew Stafford’s team which means Simpson could be sitting for two to three years. the Rams had several other options but elected to take Simpson, who had just 15 starts at Alabama.

the popular opinion was that the Rams would take USC wide receiver Makai Lemon but he dropped to 20 where he was taken by the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles made a trade with the Dallas Cowboys to move up to 20 and take Lemon. By drafting Lemon the Eagles are expected to trade A.J. Brown at some point.

Simpson was considered the second-best quarterback in the draft to Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, who went number one to the Las Vegas Raiders.

The New York Jets had three first-round picks selecting Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey at number two, tight end Kenyon Sadiq from Oregon at 16 and Indiana receiver Omar Cooper Jr. from Indiana at 30.

Ohio State had four players taken in the first 11 picks. The Cowboys landed one of those Buckeyes drafting talented safety Caleb Downs with the 11th pick.

The Chargers had the 22nd pick and took Miami edge/linebacker Akheem Mesidor.

Carnell Tate, another Buckeye, was the first receiver taken off the board going fourth to Tennessee.

Rounds 2 and 3 are scheduled for Friday April 24 at 7:00 PM ET. (4:00 PM PT).