Ty Simpson is considered the top quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft, according to Dan Orlovsky.

Orlovsky Questions Mendoza’s Draft Status

After achieving significant success last season, including winning the Heisman Trophy and earning an All-American title at Indiana University, many would assume that Fernando Mendoza is the top quarterback in the draft. However, Dan Orlovsky disagrees.

On Monday, Orlovsky appeared on ESPN’s “Get Up” and pointed to Alabama’s Ty Simpson as the best quarterback in the 2026 draft class. According to him, Simpson seems to accomplish more with less effort, showcasing more “real NFL throws” than Mendoza.

“When you assess the overall performance and the responsibilities of these two quarterbacks, you must consider who had to exert more effort to lead their team effectively. I don’t see a major gap between Ty Simpson and the other quarterbacks,” Orlovsky explained.

That said, Orlovsky doesn’t believe Simpson should be the No. 1 overall pick for the Raiders. He suggests that a team selecting Simpson later in the first round might actually get greater value.

Orlovsky noted that Mendoza and Simpson are quite comparable in areas like deep throws and RPOs, but when it comes to high-pressure situations, he favors Simpson. “In crucial moments, and with those big throws, Ty Simpson takes the lead,” he stated. “While I appreciate Mendoza’s skills, I’d prefer having Simpson at, say, pick No. 15-20, rather than going with Mendoza first overall.”

This opinion has drawn some criticism, with allegations suggesting Orlovsky may have biases due to potential financial ties to the agency representing Simpson. Orlovsky responded to these claims during an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” clarifying that not everyone views Mendoza as the top QB option.

“I’m not important enough to be a financial concern for CAA, especially to undermine a player projected to go around No. 20,” he defended himself. “There’s no hidden agenda here.”

Part of Mendoza’s appeal compared to Simpson stems from his greater starting experience—Mendoza stands at 6-foot-5, while Simpson is 6-foot-1.

As a starting quarterback for Alabama this past season, Simpson threw for 3,567 yards and 28 touchdowns, with only five interceptions. Interestingly, his rushing yardage was a modest 93 yards considering his size.

For several years, Simpson served as a backup to Jalen Milroe, the Seahawks’ current quarterback.

In contrast, Mendoza has been a starting quarterback for two consecutive seasons at Cal State and Indiana. His Heisman-winning season saw him rack up 3,535 yards, 41 touchdown passes, and just six interceptions, leading to nearly 1,000 more points than the runner-up, Diego Pavia.