Dan Orlovsky continues to draw parallels between Ty Simpson and 2025 Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza. The former Alabama quarterback ranks as the second-best prospect for this year’s draft in his position.
During Monday’s episode of ESPN’s “First Take,” Orlovsky remarked that Simpson’s Alabama tape, valued at $1.401 billion according to CBS Sports, is as impressive as that of Fernando Mendoza. He also noted that Simpson shares characteristics with San Francisco 49ers star Brock Purdy.
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“I firmly believe, if Ty Simpson was 6’4″, or he had 20 plus college starts, he would be in play at No.2 for the New York Jets,” Orlovsky stated. “He is very much Brock Purdy to me. If you watch his tape, and you just take everything else away, all you see is big time throws, NFL style throws. … like the things that we watch and demand of NFL quarterbacks.”
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“He’s surgical in rhythm and timing. And that’s why I say Brock Purdy. … Mendoza is impressive, but I think Ty Simpson, tape-wise? Just as impressive.”
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This isn’t the first time Dan Orlovsky has praised the former Alabama quarterback. Last month, he suggested that Simpson is a slightly better prospect than Mendoza.
“Through eight games, you see good (for Mendoza), but there’s a lot that’s underwhelming,” Orlovsky said on ‘First Take.’ “I think there’s a lot, when you watch Mendoza’s tape through eight games… You’re looking at a guy they say is a first pick.”
“I think through eight games, Ty Simpson’s game from Alabama… I think is significantly more impressive than Fernando Mendoza.”
Simpson spent the first three years in Tuscaloosa as a backup on the depth chart before taking on the QB1 role last season. He led the Crimson Tide to the playoffs, although they were defeated by Indiana in the Rose Bowl quarterfinal. Simpson recorded 3,567 passing yards and 28 touchdowns.
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Ex-Jets scout warns Raiders over drafting Fernando Mendoza No.1 overall
The Las Vegas Raiders are expected to select Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick in this year’s draft. However, ex-Jets scout Daniel Kelly cautions that this might not be the best choice for the team.
Speaking on the “Straight Fire” podcast, Kelly highlighted some weaknesses in Mendoza’s game and discussed the Raiders’ weak pass protection.
“Fernando Mendoza to the Raiders. It blows my mind as an evaluator, because this is a Raiders team that’s given up the second-most sacks in the National Football League over the last two years,” Kelly commented. “Right now, we’re going to put him in the NFL with a team that’s given up all these sacks, it is an absolute guaranteed recipe for disaster.”
“I have a fourth-round value right now in Mendoza in terms of what his colleagues did. Mendoza and the first three rounds, not the first round. But the first three rounds, this guy is an absolute guaranteed bust.”
Last season, Geno Smith was the most sacked quarterback in the league with 55 sacks, and the Raiders ended the season with a 3-14 record. In contrast, Mendoza concluded his college career by leading the Indiana Hoosiers to an undefeated national championship.
Edited by Priyam Hazarika
