It is clear that nothing will change the Las Vegas Raiders’ mind, as they are expected to select Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the Draft. Against all odds, Mendoza became the top quarterback in his class after a spectacular season with the Indiana Hoosiers, finishing with a 16-0 record, a national championship, and the Heisman Trophy. He is now headed to the NFL.
However, when it seemed he would be the only quarterback selected in the first round, Ty Simpson, Alabama’s quarterback, began climbing draft boards. It would not be a surprise if a team invested in him and ultimately selected him in the first round, similar to what happened last season with Jaxson Dart and the New York Giants.
Ty Simpson was a starter for only one season, throwing for more than 3,500 yards and 28 touchdowns with just five interceptions. He also showed he could immediately lead a complex offense, and at the NFL Combine, he made throws that started drawing attention from multiple teams.
At times, Ty Simpson was better than Fernando Mendoza
When you are considered the top talent in the Draft, comparisons and scrutiny are inevitable. That is the situation Fernando Mendoza is currently facing. Even so, there is little doubt that he will become a Las Vegas Raiders player on April 23 in Pittsburgh.
A few days ago, former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky stated that during the first part of the season, Ty Simpson played better than Fernando Mendoza. Now Todd McShay, on the Up & Adams Show, revealed something similar: “Through nine games this year, Ty Simpson’s tape was better than Fernando Mendoza’s…,” the analyst said.
And to be clear, no one is saying Ty Simpson is better than Fernando Mendoza. But at the start of the season, in terms of projection, Alabama’s quarterback was ahead. However, Indiana’s quarterback ultimately won the race; he even faced Simpson in the Rose Bowl and delivered a dominant performance.
What is certain is that Fernando Mendoza will be the first overall pick in the Draft, and it would not be surprising if Ty Simpson also lands in the first round, as several teams are interested, including the Cleveland Browns, who hold multiple picks, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Of course, other teams cannot be ruled out in the pursuit of Alabama’s talented quarterback.
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