All it takes is one... While Dan Orlovsky is not an NFL front-office executive, the former NFL backup quarterback makes a living by giving out fiery takes for ESPN now. Although he has made it a point in recent weeks to say how much he likes Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson over Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza, he does not work for the Las Vegas Raiders at this time...
He said on Get Up on Monday morning that Simpson would be a better scheme fit for the Raiders.
"Completely different world. If we're being honest, and people won't say it, I will, Ty Simpson is schematically a better fit or marriage for what the Las Vegas Raiders would do under Klint Kubiak than Fernando Mendoza."
Here is everything Orlovsky said about the potential marriage between Mendoza and the Raiders.
"Ty Simpson, schematically, is a better fit or marriage for what the Las Vegas Raiders would do under Klint Kubiak than Fernando Mendoza."
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) April 6, 2026
—@danorlovsky7 on who's a better pick for the Raiders ✍️ pic.twitter.com/oNRiknl6n0
Orlovsky doubling down on his preference of Simpson over Mendoza is not anything new. However, it should be known that some people do not feel the same way about the clear and obvious QB2 in this upcoming draft. A recent NFL mock draft has Simpson going to a place where many former Alabama stars go in the New York Jets. ESPN had him coming off the board near the top of the second round.
Clearly, water needs to find its level with Simpson, and that is exactly what we are about to do here...
Dan Orlovsky continues to hype up Ty Simpson ahead of the NFL Draft
When looking at NFL Mock Draft Database's big board, Simpson is their consensus No. 30 prospect. Because of the position he plays, he could be coming off the board sooner than to the Jets in the early 30s. The Pittsburgh Steelers are in dire need of a franchise quarterback. Thus, they are the team NFL Mock Draft Database has him mocked to at No. 21 overall in a consensus. It is where he may go...
Beyond the Jets and the Steelers, the other team that he has been heavily mocked to is the Arizona Cardinals picking in the late 20s. They too need a franchise quarterback with Kyler Murray off to Minnesota. In short, Simpson should be the second of two quarterbacks going in the first round this year. Mendoza will go No. 1 to the Raiders, while Simpson should be coming off the board much later.
So how does water find its level here? Simpson's game roughly translates to that of Matthew Stafford. There are other quarterbacks of that prototype, including Justin Herbert, Sam Darnold, and Blake Bortles. Those are all quarterbacks who went in the top 10. While Simpson may not be coming off the board around that time, his game does translate to the next level. That is what Orlovksy's big point is.
To tie a bow on this, Orlovsky is dubious of Mendoza's game translating to the next level because he took a grand total of five snaps under center in college. Klint Kubiak loves to go under center when calling plays within the context of his NFL offense. Fortunately for him, Mendoza's NFL comp will be serving as his mentor in Las Vegas in Kirk Cousins. He thrived at run play-action from under center.
Ultimately, Simpson is going to have a real shot at being a star quarterback in this league if he goes to the right team. While the Cardinals, Jets, and Steelers may not be any of those teams, what if he went to the Los Angeles Rams to grow and learn from his prototype in Stafford? Mendoza was sensational last season, but there was a minute or two where Simpson looked he could win the Heisman Trophy.
For now, we will just have to wait and see what team Simpson ends up playing for later on this month.