As the NFL Draft approaches, the buzz around quarterbacks is reaching a fever pitch. With the Las Vegas Raiders holding the No. 1 overall pick, it's widely expected that they'll select Indiana's standout quarterback, Fernando Mendoza. However, the conversation hasn't stopped there, as a debate has emerged over Mendoza versus Ty Simpson.
ESPN's Dan Orlovsky stirred the pot by ranking Simpson as his top quarterback in this draft class. This prompted a discussion on ESPN radio, where Michelle Smallmon asked Adam Schefter about the perceived gap between Mendoza and Simpson in NFL circles. Schefter's response was telling: while he acknowledges Simpson's talent, he firmly believes Mendoza is the Raiders' choice for the top pick.
Schefter elaborated, "I fully expect Fernando Mendoza is going to go No. 1 to the Raiders. Finding the right landing spot for Ty Simpson is where things get interesting. He has first-round talent, but that doesn't guarantee a first-round selection."
The debate over Mendoza versus Simpson might be more media-driven than reflective of actual team considerations. While Orlovsky champions Simpson, the Raiders seem set on Mendoza, rendering much of the discussion moot.
Predicting where Simpson will land is tricky. He's been linked to teams like the Jets, who have the No. 2 and No. 16 picks, and the Rams, sitting at No.
- However, Schefter isn't convinced these teams will take Simpson.
"We don’t expect he’s going in the top 10 picks," Schefter noted. "The Jets at 16?
Not feeling that right now. The Rams are in win-now mode, so who knows?"
Despite the uncertainty, there's optimism that Simpson won't slip too far. Schefter mentioned the Browns, with their second first-round pick at No. 24, the Dolphins, who recently acquired the 30th pick, and Arizona as potential suitors. These teams might consider trading back into the first round, similar to last year's move by the Giants for Jaxson Dart.
While Simpson is likely to be a first-round selection and is seen as the clear QB2, the draft's unpredictable nature means nothing is guaranteed until the picks are in.