The draft narrative for 2026 has officially been flipped on its head following Alabama’s Pro Day in Tuscaloosa. While Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza has been the chalk pick for the No. 1 overall spot for months, former NFL quarterback and analyst Chase Daniel has sparked a firestorm by suggesting that the gap between Mendoza and Alabama’s Ty Simpson is closing.
Chase Daniel Fuels the Ty Simpson vs. Fernando Mendoza NFL Draft Debate
Daniel appeared on “The Dan Patrick Show” and touched upon the Mendoza vs. Simpson debate, initially sparked by Dan Orlovsky. Orlovsky had argued that Simpson’s tape at Alabama is actually “significantly more impressive” than the Indiana quarterback. Orlovsky also pointed out that Mendoza was given a ton of clean pockets and had a ton of RPOs.
Daniel said, “Yesterday at his (Ty Simpson) pro day, it was like everything you would ever teach a young kid on how to throw a football – this is what you want it to look like. Mendoza’s a little bit more robotic.”
Simpson’s Pro Day was a masterclass in stock rising. After a 2025 season where he battled through a herniated disc and a cracked rib, Simpson looked completely healthy, showcasing elite arm talent on deep pylon routes and layered intermediate throws.
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For scouts in attendance, the contrast was clear: Mendoza represents the high floor, while Simpson flashed the high-ceiling playmaking ability that translates to the modern NFL.
Critics like Daniel and Orlovsky worry that Mendoza might struggle when the training wheels of a college scheme are removed. Simpson, conversely, operated in a more traditional pro-style offense at Alabama, often forced to make high-difficulty throws behind a struggling offensive line.
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PFSN’s Jacob Infante, in his latest mock draft, has picked Mendoza as the first overall pick. He writes, “No matter what the latest headline says to generate traffic, Fernando Mendoza is the best quarterback prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft. He’s a well-built, poised, and intelligent quarterback who sees the field well and has a natural sense of timing behind his throws.”
Similarly, during a heated segment with Orlovsky, Pat McAfee and his team pushed back hard on the Simpson narrative. Their argument? “Winning matters.” They pointed to Mendoza’s 16-0 record and national championship at Indiana as proof that he is a winner who elevates those around him, regardless of the system.
