Orlovsky’s Bold Claim: Ty Simpson is QB1 Over Mendoza

Orlovsky’s Bold Claim: Ty Simpson is QB1 Over Mendoza

With the NFL Draft just a month away, the debate over the top quarterback prospects is heating up. While most believe Fernando Mendoza will be the first signal-caller off the board, ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky is making waves with an unconventional take: Ty Simpson is the best quarterback in this draft class.

Orlovsky Favors Simpson’s All-Around Game

Orlovsky, known for his deep dives into quarterback play, argues that Simpson was asked to do more to carry his team and consistently delivered in crucial moments. “Who needed to do more to carry their football team to play well? Ty Simpson. And it’s not close between those two quarterbacks,” Orlovsky stated on Get Up. He highlighted Simpson’s ability to handle pressure and make big NFL throws as key differentiators.

When looking at what separates good from great, Orlovsky focuses on how players react in moments of panic. He believes Simpson is more consistent in these high-pressure situations. “I would tell you that Tai Simpson is more consistent in that regard. There’s not a ton of moments of panic out of Fernando Mendoza and then there’s moments when he immediately drops his eyes and becomes a runner,” he explained. Furthermore, Orlovsky pointed to the types of throws each player was asked to make, favoring Simpson for his ability to execute intermediate and deep passes like 15-25 yard in-routes, crossing routes, and deep corner routes.

Mendoza’s Offense and Limited Opportunities

Orlovsky acknowledged that Mendoza’s offense at Indiana often relied on RPOs (run-pass options) and quick passes, which didn’t always require him to make the same high-difficulty throws. “RPO, get it out. That’s probably what Mendoza’s offense was,” he noted. While both quarterbacks are considered relatively equal when throwing on the move, Orlovsky feels Simpson demonstrated a more complete skill set under tougher circumstances.

A significant point for Orlovsky is the ability to process information both before and after the snap. He’s confident in Simpson’s ability to do both, based on his tape. “From Mendoza’s tape, I know he can process information pre-snap. He’s not asked to process a ton of information post-snap,” Orlovsky said. He added that it’s hard to find many games where Mendoza was clearly the best player on the field, contrasting it with Simpson, who Orlovsky believes often looked like the top player, even when his team was struggling against tough opponents like Alabama.

Draft Range and Team Fit

Despite the conventional wisdom placing Mendoza as the top QB, Orlovsky would take Simpson in the mid-to-late first round, even preferring him over Mendoza if picking in the 15-20 range. He suggested teams like the Jets (at pick 16), Cardinals (trading back), Minnesota Vikings, and Miami Dolphins could be potential landing spots for Simpson. Orlovsky even drew a comparison to Baker Mayfield and Robert Griffin III, players who had significant impacts early in their careers.

The discussion also touched on the potential impact of flag football becoming an Olympic sport and whether NFL players should participate. While acknowledging the excitement and prestige, both Orlovsky and his co-host expressed concerns about player safety and the timing during NFL training camps. “We’re trying to win a Super Bowl. I don’t want Joe Burrow out there making juke moves, trying to get away from guys in risk of injury,” one host stated. They suggested that if NFL players were to participate, it should be players not currently on rosters or those who might not be as crucial to immediate team success during that period.

The conversation circled back to Simpson’s draft potential, with Orlovsky emphasizing that while he’s not slighting Mendoza, he sees a more NFL-ready player in Simpson who demonstrated his capabilities in tougher situations. The NFL Draft remains one of the most anticipated events for teams looking to build their future, and the debate over Ty Simpson’s true potential is sure to continue.

Key Takeaways from the Discussion:

• Dan Orlovsky believes Ty Simpson is the top quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft class, ahead of Fernando Mendoza.
• Orlovsky cites Simpson’s ability to handle pressure, make NFL-caliber throws, and process information post-snap as key advantages.
• He argues Simpson was asked to carry his team more than Mendoza, showcasing his talent in more challenging game situations.
• Potential NFL landing spots for Simpson include the Jets, Cardinals, Vikings, and Dolphins.
• Concerns were raised about NFL players participating in Olympic flag football due to injury risk and timing during training camp.

Source: Ty Simpson, NOT Fernando Mendoza, is QB1 in this NFL Draft class 👀 – Dan Orlovsky | Get Up (YouTube)