As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, all eyes are on Fernando Mendoza, the standout quarterback expected to be the No. 1 overall pick. Mendoza's impressive stats - a 72% completion rate, 3,535 passing yards, and 41 touchdowns against just six interceptions - powered Indiana to a flawless 16-0 season and a National Championship. It’s no wonder most draft analysts have him pegged as the top quarterback in this year’s class.
However, ESPN's Dan Orlovsky has stirred the pot by questioning Mendoza’s spot at the top. Orlovsky is championing Alabama's Ty Simpson as the premier quarterback of this draft class.
On Monday’s episode of Get Up, Orlovsky argued, “I think Ty Simpson is QB1. When you look at who had to do more to elevate their team, it’s Ty Simpson, hands down.
He took over more games throughout the season.”
Orlovsky’s view isn’t widely shared, though. Mel Kiper Jr., another ESPN draft analyst, firmly supports Mendoza as the leading quarterback.
When asked about Orlovsky's take, Kiper remarked, "That's not shared by anybody I've spoken to." Kiper ranks Simpson as the No. 2 quarterback, projecting him as a late first-round pick, while Mendoza holds the top spot on his big board, with Simpson at No.
Kiper highlights Mendoza’s advantages, noting his 6'5" stature, which gives him a four-inch height advantage over Simpson. Mendoza’s experience is another asset, boasting three years as a collegiate starter compared to Simpson, who only started this past season. Mendoza’s 72% completion rate also outshines Simpson’s 64.5%.
Unless something unexpected occurs, Mendoza is poised to be the first overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders. The NFL Draft is set for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, and it promises to be an exciting showcase of talent.