Dane Brugler makes feelings on Ty Simpson, Fernando Mendoza draft takes clear

Former NFL quarterback/current analyst Dan Orlovsky and former NFL general manager Mike Tannenbaum offered the most controversial 2026 draft take earlier this offseason. 

They suggested that more than one team had Alabama Crimson Tide star Ty Simpson and not Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana Hoosiers ranked as "the best quarterback" in this year's class. 

Any chatter about the Las Vegas Raiders possibly making Simpson and not Mendoza the draft's first pick all but disappeared long before analyst Dane Brugler of The Athletic had his much-anticipated "The Beast" draft board published on Wednesday. Brugler made it clear how he feels about any potential Mendoza-versus-Simpson debates. 

Dane Brugler: 2026 draft class has a "clear QB1"

Specifically, Brugler has Mendoza ranked third among all prospects and as the 2026 draft's "clear QB1." 

"Mendoza has an outstanding feel for touch," Brugler wrote, "placement and layering throws, and he’s an elite back-shoulder thrower. He benefited at Indiana from a quick-read offense (non-stop hitches, slants and outs), but he decisively and accurately rips his initial looks. His physical traits are good, not great, but he makes up for that with advanced mental skills. Though not a dynamic athlete, he does just enough to escape pursuit and keep plays alive. With his toughness (both mental and physical), he moves on from negative plays immediately and shows a knack for finding clutch completions in adverse situations." 

The Raiders presumably signed Kirk Cousins to what is basically a one-year, $20M contract to have him atop the depth chart until Mendoza is deemed ready to start. It remains to be seen how long a figurative leash will be on Cousins or if Mendoza will be permitted to compete for starting snaps this coming summer, but the two seem destined to become teammates on the night of April 23. As of Wednesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had Mendoza as a massive -20000 betting favorite to be the draft's first pick. 

What Dane Brugler ranked Ty Simpson for "The Beast"

Meanwhile, some members of the NFL community aren't convinced Simpson is the undisputed second-best quarterback in this year's draft. Brugler disagrees with such takes, but he has Simpson ranked as the 42nd-best overall prospect among to-be rookies. 

"With his background as the son of a longtime college coach, Simpson received a quarterback education from a young age, and it shows in his mechanics and operation," Brugler wrote. "He doesn’t have any top-tier physical traits but displays a good-enough arm and the mobility to move the launch point (left or right) on naked keepers/boots. He is generally an accurate passer who can digest defensive concepts and read out the entire field. However, he made just 15 career starts, and that lack of experience manifests in his decision-making and precision. He eliminates things quickly — but often too quickly and turns down throws about to come open." 

For a mock draft posted on Wednesday morning, ESPN's Ben Solak predicted that the Arizona Cardinals would make a trade and then grab Simpson with the 31st overall pick of the draft. Hours after Solak's piece went public, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Cardinals as the betting favorites at +115 odds to draft Simpson. 

The Cardinals are currently on track to start either Jacoby Brissett or fellow journeyman Gardner Minshew at quarterback this coming September. One wonders if Simpson could defeat those two and win the Arizona starting job before August comes to an end.