ESPN analyst says Ty Simpson is the ‘best quarterback’ in the 2026 NFL Draft

Dec 19, 2025; Norman, OK, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) throws a pass in the first half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family OK Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

Former NFL quarterback and ESPN football analyst Dan Orlovsky is all in on Ty Simpson.

Orlovsky went as far as to say he feels Simpson is QB1 in the 2026 NFL Draft, despite Fernando Mendoza being the projected No. 1 overall pick by many.

“I think Ty Simpson is QB1,” Orlovsky said on ESPN’s Get Up. “I think Ty Simpson is the best quarterback in this class. I think when you look at the body of work and what was asked of these two quarterbacks, 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 between those two quarterbacks. Who took more games over throughout the course of the season? Ty Simpson. It’s not even close. And if we’re asking like, okay, we’re trying to see what you are as a player in college and what you’re gonna be asked to do in the NFL, and what translates. I start with what do you do in moments of panic with the football? Because that’s really what separates good to great. I would tell you that Ty Simpson is more consistent in that regard. There’s not a ton of moments of panic out of Fernando Mendoza, and then there’s moments when he immediately drops his eyes and becomes a runner. Ty Simpson, more consistent in that. What guy was asked to do more NFL throws? When I say NFL throws, I’m talking 15, 20, 25-yard in-routes, crossing routes, deep corner or sail routes. Ty Simpson, and it’s not even close in that regard, downfield throws, the posts and the go’s. I think they’re close. Mendoza throws a lot of go routes, and he’s good at it, but I think they’re close. RPO, get it out, that’s probably what Mendoza’s offense was, and then I think throwing on the move, they’re both relatively equal. So when it comes to moments of panic and big throws, real NFL throws, I think it’s clearly Ty Simpson.”

Orlovsky went on to say he would much rather draft Simpson in the mid to late first round over Mendoza at the No. 1 pick.

“I would much rather have Ty,” Orlovsky said. “And I like Fernando Mendoza. This is not to slight Mendoza. I would rather have Ty Simpson at the 15 to 20 range than Fernando Mendoza at 1.”

The Tennessee product started one season at Alabama. He threw for 3,567 yards and 28 touchdowns during his first season as a starter in Tuscaloosa.