No one in sports media is working harder to push Ty Simpson up draft boards than ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky. Now, he is backing that stance with what he is hearing from NFL decision-makers.
Orlovsky is spending his week discussing Simpson on every show he appears on. During a spot on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday, Orlovsky shared insight that goes beyond his own evaluation.
“I can tell you, I probably texted 12 to 15 general manager, decision-making coaches in the NFL the very simple text of Ty Simpson is QB1 in this class,” Orlovsky said. “And two people got back to me with a disagreement.”
Dan Orlovsky Reports NFL Decision-Makers Favor Ty Simpson as QB1
Orlovsky is suggesting that Simpson’s evaluation inside league circles may be stronger than what media rankings reflect. While many boards still lean toward Fernando Mendoza at the top, Simpson continues to generate support behind the scenes.
Orlovsky has been consistent on this. He has repeatedly pointed to Simpson’s ability to operate within structure and make the types of throws that translate to the next level. This latest comment adds context, showing that belief is not limited to one voice.
It also helps explain why Simpson keeps coming up more frequently as the 2026 NFL Draft approaches.
Why Simpson’s Draft Evaluation Carries Variance Across the League
Simpson’s evaluation has not been as straightforward as the recent buzz might suggest. While many still view him as a top quarterback in the class, his draft position has shown significant volatility.
Some evaluators have questioned whether he is a plug-and-play starter, pointing to his limited experience at the University of Alabama. In his lone season as a full-time starter, Simpson threw for 3,567 yards with 28 touchdowns and five interceptions while adding 93 rushing yards and two more scores.
He finished with an 83.1 overall grade and ranked No. 25 in PFSN’s CFB QB Impact Rankings. Those numbers reflect a quarterback who was efficient and in control, even if the sample size remains relatively small.
That balance is what teams are weighing. On one side, there is a quarterback with clean tape, strong decision-making, and the ability to operate within an NFL-style offense. On the other hand, there are questions about experience and how quickly that skill set translates against pro defenses.
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That is why his projection has not fully caught up to the growing support. Next, teams will get a closer look through workouts, interviews, and private sessions, where quarterbacks like Simpson can answer questions that do not always come up on Saturdays.
He has already started to gain traction in those conversations. Now it comes down to whether that momentum is strong enough to shift how teams stack their boards.
