The NFL Draft is drawing closer. As March 2026 comes to an end, attention shifts toward April, the month in which the draft will take place. With that in mind, there is already a projected number one overall pick to enter the league: Fernando Mendoza.
Another player at the same position as Mendoza, former Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Ty Simpson, made a strong impression at the NFL Combine and is widely considered a potential second selection.
For several months now, it has seemed almost certain that Mendoza will become the new quarterback of the Las Vegas Raiders. He has already held conversations with Tom Brady, a minority owner of the franchise, as well as team owner Mark Davis.
Although everything points in that direction, some voices challenge this narrative. One of them is former quarterback Dan Orlovsky, who made a statement on Monday, March 23, 2026, that sparked significant debate.
Dan Orlovsky’s comments on Fernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson
From Orlovsky’s perspective, the number one pick in the draft should be Simpson rather than Mendoza. He made this clear during an appearance on the show Get Up.
“I think Ty Simpson is QB1.”…”I think Ty Simpson is the best quarterback in this class. There’s not a ton of moments of panic out of Fernando Mendoza. And then there’s moments when he immediately drops his eyes and becomes a runner.
“Ty Simpson more consistent in that. So, when it comes to moments of panic and big throws, real NFL throws, I think it’s clearly Ty Simpson.
For Orlovsky, Simpson provides more overall value to a team. A similar view is held by New York Jets former scout Daniel Kelly, who believes the Hoosier quarterback is, at best, a fourth-round selection.
However, it is worth remembering that in Alabama’s College Football Playoff game, Simpson struggled to make an impact for his team, while Mendoza delivered an efficient performance, taking control and leading his team to victory against the Miami Hurricanes.
The debate over who is better between Mendoza and Simpson
Fernando Mendoza captured the Heisman Trophy for the 2025 season and solidified his status alongside his Indiana Hoosiers teammates as champions. His numbers were as follows:
- 3,535 yards
- 41 touchdowns
- 6 interceptions
- Undefeated season
Meanwhile, Ty Simpson’s statistics with the Alabama Crimson Tide were:
- 3,567 yards
- 28 touchdowns
- 5 interceptions
- 93 rushing yards with 2 touchdowns
As the saying goes, opinions differ, and while some argue that Mendoza is superior, others see it from the opposite perspective.
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