In draft season, opinions rarely align. With the draft approaching, analysis intensifies, focusing on Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza and Alabama’s Ty Simpson. Teams and commentators examine every angle of these potential first-round picks. Recently, a former NFL quarterback shared his perspective.
ESPN Analyst Chase Daniel Praises Ty Simpson Over Fernando Mendoza
In recent weeks, the topic of “Mendoza vs. Simpson” has become a central debate about who is considered the best quarterback in the current draft class. Chase Daniel, a former NFL quarterback with 14 seasons and five career starts, now works as a college football analyst for ESPN.
Today, as a guest on “The Dan Patrick Show,” he explained his preference, starting at 2:22 of this tweet.
“I think he’s a more natural thrower of the football. His throwing motion, his mechanics from the ground up, just look beautiful, Dan.”
“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.”
— @ChaseDaniel gives his evaluation on Ty Simpson vs Fernando Mendoza. pic.twitter.com/zqtIpgpwaW
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) March 26, 2026
Daniel is referring to a combination of game film and Alabama’s pro day, during which many believe Simpson shone. Meanwhile, the former Missouri standout did not share the same words for the Heisman winner.
“Mendoza is a bit more robotic. I think Mendoza has a little bit of a stronger arm. Look, I get Mendoza is 6-foot-5 and Simpson is 6-foot-2. People who have played the position gravitate towards that.”
Daniel, while discussing the technical aspect, discussed the disparity in experience: “You want your quarterback to have more than 15 starts.”
Simpson started 15 games for the Crimson Tide while sitting behind Jalen Milroe and, before him, Bryce Young. On the other hand, Mendoza, during his time at California and Indiana, started 36 games and finished 25-11.
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This week, Daniel’s fellow ESPN analyst, Dan Orlovsky, found his way into the headlines by voicing his preference for Simpson. As a result, social media buzzed with replies that disagreed. Not to mention, people noticed that Orlovsky hypes Simpson because they share the same agency, Creative Artists Agency. Orlovsky denied the insinuation.
The Las Vegas Raiders hold the first overall pick. By all indications, they will select Mendoza. Evidence leans in that direction for a couple of reasons. First, the Raiders’ majority owner, Mark Davis, and minority owner, Tom Brady, attended the national championship.
Meanwhile, neither Brady nor Davis attended Alabama’s College Football Playoff game against Indiana, nor Simpson’s pro day. In their only head-to-head matchup, Mendoza connected on 14-of-16 of his passes for 192 yards and three touchdowns. Simpson went 12-of-16 for 67 yards.
According to the PFSN CFB QB Impact Rankings, Mendoza held down the No. 2 spot, and Simpson landed at No. 25. With anticipation building, the football world waits to see whether predictions hold as the draft unfolds in Pittsburgh on April 23.
