No matter what ideas are thrown at the Raiders’ front office-led by John Spytek-and minority owner Tom Brady, it’s unlikely they’ll change their minds. On April 23, with the first overall pick, they are expected to select Fernando Mendoza, the standout talent from the Indiana Hoosiers who impressed everyone.
Before last NCAA season began, there was talk of a quarterback-loaded draft class, with names like Arch Manning, Drew Allar, and Cade Klubnik. Manning chose to return for another year with the Texas Longhorns, while the others entered the draft-but after a disappointing 2025 season, their stock dropped significantly.
That opened the door for Fernando Mendoza, who wasn’t on anyone’s radar. After a season that improved week by week, he led Indiana to a perfect 16-0 record and a national championship, finishing with 41 touchdown passes and winning the Heisman Trophy. He ultimately became the top quarterback prospect in this draft class.
Mendoza might not be the only quarterback taken in the first round
In last year’s draft, Cam Ward was selected early, and the New York Giants traded up late in the first round to pick Jaxson Dart. This year could follow a similar pattern. While it seems certain the Raiders will take Mendoza, the quarterback from Alabama Crimson Tide has been gaining momentum and could also become a first-round surprise.
Former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky, speaking on The Pat McAfee Show, said that Ty Simpson has impressed him on film and could be a strong option for a quarterback-needy team:
“Ty Simpson makes the challenging throws and I’m very impressed with his tape… I think the tape should matter more than how much tape you have,” said the ESPN analyst.
Last season at Alabama, Ty Simpson finished with 3,567 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. The biggest concern remains his poor performance in the Rose Bowl against Indiana, led by Mendoza, which raised serious doubts about his game. Even so, that likely won’t stop an NFL team from taking a chance on him in the draft.
The reality is that it will be difficult for Simpson to go in the first round, but he could very well be selected early in the second round. A team like the New York Jets, for example, still lacks a long-term answer at quarterback and could take a shot on his potential.
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