NFL analyst Dan Orlovskystirred the pot recently by claiming Alabama quarterbackTy Simpson is the top prospect for the 2026 draft class. This wild opinion places Simpson ahead of Heisman winnerFernando Mendoza. Mendoza is the projected top pick for the Las Vegas Raiders after leading Indiana to a National Championship.
TheU.S. Sun spoke with former Raiders general manager Mike Mayock about this debate. Mayock quickly dismissed the idea that Simpson outranks Mendoza. He pointed to Simpson having only 15 career starts as a major red flag. Most quarterbacks with limited college experience fail when they reach the professional level.
Las Vegas Raiders, Fernando Mendoza
Fernando Mendoza participates in Indiana University’s Pro Day at Mellencamp Pavilion on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
“I start with the premise, and I hate to do this to [Simpson], but the history of quarterbacks that are drafted with one year or less of starting experience is awful,” Mayock said. He noted that only freak athletes like Cam Newton succeeded with such a short resume.
Reliability remains the primary concern for any front office. Mayock believes teams should never build their future on rare exceptions. Taking a gamble on a one-year starter often leads to disaster for NFL franchises. He prefers the proven consistency seen in Mendoza.
Mike Mayock values high football intelligence of Fernando Mendoza
While both players share similar physical traits like arm strength and speed, Mayock sees a clear gap in mental toughness. Fernando Mendoza dominated the College Football Playoff with nine touchdowns and zero interceptions. This performance proved he can handle the biggest stages in sports.
“Mendoza’s nervous system in big games and at big times within those games is outstanding,” Mayock said. He admired how Mendoza transformed a basketball school into a football powerhouse. The quarterback showed an incredible work ethic throughout his journeys at Cal and Indiana.
Orlovsky based his argument on Simpson’s early-season film. However, Simpson struggled significantly during the second half of the year. Bad protection and poor receiver play contributed to these issues. Mayock still thinks the tape does not tell the whole story.
“If you want to just sit down and break down physical traits between the two, it might be very similar as far as arm strength and athletic ability are concerned,” Mayock noted. He insists that Mendoza’s intangibles make him the superior choice.
The former general manager respects film study but trusts his own evaluation process more. He believes walking into the league with minimal experience is nearly impossible.
“It might not be fair to the kid, but I don’t necessarily believe that you can walk into the NFL with one year of starting experience,” Mayock concluded. He firmly believes that the veteran experience Fernando Mendoza brings far outweighs any potential traits Simpson offers.