Fernando Mendoza Draws Critique from Dan Orlovsky
Dan Orlovsky, a former NFL quarterback and now an ESPN analyst, isn’t too impressed with Fernando Mendoza. As the draft approaches, Orlovsky, feeling uncertain about Mendoza’s status as the likely first overall pick, shared some frank insights.
“We’ve reviewed eight games of Mendoza’s tape. While I see some positive aspects, there are also quite a few areas that don’t stand out,” Orlovsky mentioned during his appearance on “First Take” recently.
Orlovsky seems to question Mendoza’s ability to make impactful plays, stating, “There aren’t many standout throws. The offensive line has done its job, yet it relies heavily on RPOs and back-shoulder passes. At times, it seems like he’s hesitant to stay in the pocket, opting to run unnecessarily.”
Even though many anticipate Mendoza will be the top draft pick for the Raiders, Orlovsky’s attention is leaning toward another quarterback. He remarked, “When comparing records, I’d take Ty Simpson from Alabama over Mendoza any day.”
“Ty Simpson’s tape from Alabama through the first eight games of the season is much more impressive than Fernando Mendoza’s tape.” – Dan Orlovsky
Mendoza, who emerged as a surprise talent this season, played a key role in leading Indiana to a national championship, ending the year with a flawless 16-0 record. He accomplished this with impressive statistics, totaling 3,535 passing yards, with 41 touchdowns—an FBS high—and only six interceptions.
His success earned him widespread acclaim, culminating in winning the Heisman Trophy. It seems like people really took notice of his game.
On the flip side, Simpson, despite Alabama’s less stellar overall record of 11-4, faced Mendoza’s Indiana team and didn’t come out on top in the second round of the College Football Playoff. Still, Simpson had a solid season as well, racking up 3,567 yards with 28 touchdowns and just five interceptions over 15 games.
Given the current evaluations, Simpson is viewed as the second-best quarterback in this draft class, though his projection places him in the late first or early second round. It’s interesting how opinions are shaping up as we inch closer to the draft.
