Simpson Challenges Mendoza For Top QB Pick!

Ty Simpson Pushing Fernando Mendoza in NFL Draft QB Race

The debate is heating up for the top quarterback spot in the upcoming NFL Draft, and it’s not just a two-man race anymore. While Fernando Mendoza has been a strong contender for the number one pick, Ty Simpson is making a serious case to challenge that status. Dan Orlovsky, a well-known football analyst, is a big believer in Simpson’s potential and believes the gap between him and Mendoza is much smaller than many think.

Simpson’s Strengths Shine Through

Orlovsky has been impressed with Simpson’s game since he started watching tape. He describes Simpson’s throwing style as “surgical,” especially when it comes to making plays down the field and in the red zone. Simpson’s ability to make difficult, “real NFL throws” – like throwing between or over defenders – is something that really stands out. Orlovsky sees a lot of similarities between Simpson and former NFL quarterback Brock Purdy, noting their skill in making layered, intermediate throws consistently. He also highlighted that Simpson has shown he can carry his team, performing like the best player on the field in tough games against Wisconsin, Missouri, Vanderbilt, and Georgia.

“I have games when I watch of Ty Simpson and the Wisconsin game, the Missouri game, the Vandy game, the first Georgia game where I think he’s like the best player in the field. He carries Alabama in those football games and they’re not easy throws, they’re challenging throws. They’re difficult real NFL throws.”

Concerns and Context for Simpson

One of the main points of discussion around Simpson is his college starting experience. While he has around 15 starts, some might see this as a negative compared to other prospects. However, Orlovsky argues that the number of starts shouldn’t be the only factor. He points out that college football has changed, with Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals sometimes influencing who starts, rather than just who is the best player. Orlovsky believes that a player’s tape and maturity on the field should matter more. He also noted that Simpson is the son of a coach, suggesting he likely has a strong understanding of the game and a mature approach.

Orlovsky compared Simpson’s situation to players like Joe Burrow, who didn’t have a massive number of college starts but still became a star. He also mentioned Anthony Richardson, who had few starts but showed high potential. The key, according to Orlovsky, is whether a player appears to be a mature football player, and he feels Simpson fits that description. He believes Simpson has put in the work behind the scenes, even if he hasn’t had a full slate of starts.

Mendoza’s Game and Areas for Improvement

While Orlovsky is high on Simpson, he still respects Mendoza’s abilities. He called Mendoza a “certified, legitimized number one overall pick” earlier. However, after further evaluation, Orlovsky feels Mendoza isn’t a guaranteed lock for the top spot. He believes there are aspects of Mendoza’s game that need to improve for him to become a top NFL quarterback. One area of concern is Mendoza’s tendency to go through his progressions downfield. While Mendoza is excellent at throwing to specific targets, especially against man coverage where he often knows where the ball is going before the snap, Orlovsky wants to see him more consistently work through multiple reads on deeper throws.

The discussion brought up the idea of teams potentially bringing in a veteran quarterback like Kurt Cousins to mentor Mendoza, which Orlovsky supports. This would allow Mendoza to develop his game, particularly his ability to read defenses and go through his progressions, without the immediate pressure of being the sole starter.

Draft Implications and Team Fits

The conversation also touched on where these quarterbacks might fit in the NFL. Orlovsky thinks a team like the Arizona Cardinals could be a good fit for Simpson, but perhaps not with the third overall pick, suggesting they might consider trading back. He emphasized that if a team truly believes a player is their guy, they should go and get him, regardless of draft projections. He mentioned that mock drafts, like Daniel Jeremiah’s, don’t always have Simpson in the first round, but teams often draft based on their own evaluations.

The Miami Dolphins were also brought up as a potential landing spot for Simpson, especially given their offensive scheme and the potential to build for the future. Orlovsky believes Simpson would be a good schematic fit there, and taking him later in the first round (like pick 30) could be a smart move if they value him highly. He noted that the 2027 draft class is expected to be stronger, making this year’s draft a place where teams might take a chance on a quarterback they love.

Ultimately, Orlovsky’s stance is clear: Ty Simpson is a legitimate prospect who is much closer to Fernando Mendoza in the draft pecking order than many believe. He’s urging teams to look beyond just the college starts and see the potential for a mature, skilled NFL quarterback.

Source: "I Don't Think Mendoza Is A Lock For The #1 Pick; Ty Simpson Is Close!" Dan Orlovsky | Pat McAfee (YouTube)