With draft season in full swing and the 2026 NFL Draft about a month away, speculation and debate come with the territory at this stage in the game. As analysts and scouts continue to evaluate quarterback prospects and the rest of their big boards, opinions have started to split, particularly regarding Alabama’s Ty Simpson and Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza. While some evaluators have elevated Simpson into the QB1 conversation despite his experience being in question, not everyone is convinced.
Chase Daniel Backs Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza as QB1 in 2026 NFL Draft
Chase Daniel, former NFL quarterback and current analyst, has made his stance crystal clear: “Fernando Mendoza is the clear No. 1 pick, and he is a franchise guy. He has the intangibles that you just can’t teach.”
“Fernando Mendoza is the clear number one pick and he is a franchise guy..
He has the intangibles that you just can’t teach”@ChaseDaniel #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/isV3M5LTFM
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 1, 2026
Daniel’s endorsement carries weight, given how long he has been around the game, and it reflects what many see as Mendoza’s complete profile to give him the nod as the best quarterback in this class. His standing at the top of draft boards doesn’t appear to be slipping, and for good reason.
Mendoza possesses a rare combination of both intangible and tangible traits. His leadership, poise, and high football IQ set the tone for the person he is on and off the field and in the locker room. On the field, he checks every physical box scouts look for in a modern quarterback.
At 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, Mendoza possesses the size needed to take on the brute nature of the position, along with impressive athleticism for someone of that size. That’s not all, though; he has the production to back it all up.
Mendoza led Indiana to a historic 16-0 season, which was the first undefeated year of its kind in college football history due to the expansion of the CFP, ending up in a national championship for the Hoosiers. He also earned a PFSN CFB QB Impact Grade ranking inside the top three nationally while orchestrating one of the most explosive offenses in the country.
According to the PFSN Consensus Big Board, Mendoza sits firmly as the QB1 and a top-five overall prospect. By comparison, Simpson, whom some are trying to elevate above Mendoza, comes in at No. 43 overall, substantially lower.
Another key factor in Mendoza’s rise is his development. After transferring from Cal to Indiana, he showcased tremendous growth in his game in such a short period, signaling that he’s a willing learner and not a finished product. That progression only strengthens his case as a high-upside franchise quarterback that any coach would want on their team.
At this stage, the narrative pushing Simpson ahead of Mendoza appears more like draft-season smoke than reality. When draft night arrives, all signs still point toward Fernando Mendoza hearing his name called first overall. And if projections hold, he may very well be the future face of the Las Vegas Raiders franchise.
