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KANSAS CITY, Mo.\u00a0\u2014\u00a0The Rams shocked fans \u2014 and much of the NFL \u2014 when they selected quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th pick in the NFL draft.<\/p>\n
Simpson started only 15 games at Alabama before the Rams ostensibly made him the eventual heir apparent to Matthew Stafford.<\/p>\n
Now, after offseason workouts, two weeks of training camp and a few preseason practices, Simpson will get his first NFL game opportunity when the Rams open the preseason against Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday at 1 p.m. PDT (CBS).<\/p>\n
Fourth-year pro Stetson Bennett will start, but Simpson will play in the game.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m really ready to show who I am,\u201d Simpson said this week.<\/p>\n
Simpson, 23, acknowledges the pressure that comes with his draft position, especially for a team that is favored to win Super Bowl LXI. But he does not feel it.<\/p>\n
After suffering his fifth loss in the NFC championship game last January, veteran wide receiver Davante Adams is locked-in on helping the Rams reach the Super Bowl.<\/p>\n
\u201cI try to be as present as I can, and make sure every day I understand how much of a blessing it is knowing that I am the No. 13 pick and everything that comes with it,\u201d Simpson said during training camp. \u201cBut also understanding that being here every day, and making the most out of every opportunity that I get, is everything I can ask for.\u201d<\/p>\n
Simpson started slow in the first few training camp workouts, but he appeared to break through when he stepped up in the pocket and completed a pass across the middle of the field. Simpson said he had begun to \u201cput the puzzle pieces together,\u201d marrying concepts with lessons learned watching Stafford and Bennett.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis arm and the confidence that he\u2019s throwing the ball with has definitely grown a ton,\u201d since offseason workouts, Nacua said before the Rams broke camp. \u201cI think he\u2019s feeling more comfortable in the pocket, understanding and seeing more guys run routes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Said offensive coordinator Nate Scheelhaase: \u201cYou\u2019ve certainly seen him go and make some throws and go and compete in a really cool way.\u201d<\/p>\n
During this week\u2019s joint workout with the Dallas Cowboys, Simpson played a few series, and completed a touchdown pass during a red-zone period.<\/p>\n
But there is no tackling during practices. So Saturday will be Simpson\u2019s first time experiencing NFL contact.<\/p>\n