Former NFL QB insists Ty Simpson is the top quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft: ‘It’s not close’
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Following the Indiana Hoosiers’ dominant run to claim the national title, many experts and fans agreed that Heisman trophy winner Fernando Mendoza is the obvious frontrunner to be selected No. 1 overall by the Las Vegas Raiders.
But on Monday, former NFL QB Dan Orlovsky, now an ESPN analyst, insisted that Alabama QB Ty Simpson — not Mendoza — is the best quarterback in the 2026 class. Here’s his rationale:
“I think Ty Simpson is QB1. I think Ty Simpson is the best QB in this class… You have to start with the question, ‘Who needed to do more to carry their football team to play well?’ Ty Simpson, and it’s not close. Who took more games over throughout the course of the season? Ty Simpson, it’s not even close.”
Orlovsky continued, saying that another trait he looks for when evaluating quarterbacks is their response to panic-inducing scenarios — when the play breaks down, an extra rusher beats protection and any other scenario that demands the QB act out of structure. Finally, Orlovsky argued that Simpson was asked to make, “more NFL throws.”
Hear his full argument below:
For now, just about a month before the NFL Draft, it’s unclear where Simpson will land. Duh. Popular wisdom says he’ll be selected at some point in the first or second round, but is it insane to suggest a play at the No. 1 pick still on the table?
We’ll find out for sure on April 23. If you’re interested, here’s a quick look at Kalshi’s latest odds for certain players to be selected in the top 10 of the 2026 NFL Draft:
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
