Dan Orlovsky finalizes bold stance on controversial Fernando Mendoza, Ty Simpson draft take

Throughout the offseason, former NFL quarterback and current analyst Dan Orlovsky has insisted that those who believe Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza is a significantly better prospect than Alabama Crimson Tide signal-caller Ty Simpson are wrong. 

During Monday's edition of ESPN's "Get Up" program, Orlovsky seemed to finalize his overall draft board.

Who is the draft's real QB1 between Fernando Mendoza, Ty Simpson?

"I think Ty Simpson is QB1," Orlovsky confidently said. "I think Ty Simpson is the best quarterback in this class. ...Who needed to do more to carry their football team to play well? Ty Simpson, and it's not close between those two quarterbacks. Who took more games over throughout the course of the season? Ty Simpson. It's not even close." 

There's no indication that a Las Vegas Raiders side that holds the first overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft and that needs a quarterback agrees with Orlovsky. Just about every mock draft produced by in-the-know individuals throughout March has linked the Raiders with Mendoza. Some of those same people think Simpson could slide to the bottom of the first round or to the second day of the player-selection process. On Monday, Orlovsky suggested that the game film shows Simpson made "more NFL throws" in college than Mendoza. 

Should Raiders consider drafting Ty Simpson over Fernando Mendoza?

"When it comes to moments of panic and big throws, real NFL throws, I think it's clearly Ty Simpson," Orlovsky continued. "...I would much rather have Ty. And I like Fernando Mendoza. This is not to slight Mendoza. I would rather have Ty Simpson at the 15-to-20 (pick) range than Fernando Mendoza at one."

Roughly two years ago, Orlovsky repeatedly disagreed with experts and said that Jayden Daniels was the top quarterback in the 2024 draft class over Caleb Williams. The Chicago Bears selected Williams first overall, but Daniels went on to win the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award as a member of the Washington Commanders. 

It's still too early to say if Williams or Daniels will have the better career, but Orlovsky's take about the two is no longer as controversial as it was ahead of the 2024 draft.