Simpson vs Mendoza: QB1 Label Matters Less Than Team Support

0:00On March 27, ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky stirred things up this week by calling Ty Simpson the top quarterback in this NFL draft class ahead of the consensus-favor Fernando Mendoza. He pointed to Simpson's big-game performances as the key reason, putting him over other prospects like Cam Ward. Many fans and media dismissed it as just another hot take from Orlovsky, who's built a rep for bold opinions to grab attention. But the backlash might be overblown, since pre-draft QB1 rankings haven't always panned out as the best long-term picks. Over the past ten years, the top quarterback on big boards matched the first one drafted in most classes, but outcomes varied wildly. Guys like Malik Willis fell behind Kenny Pickett, and Sam Donald got edged by Baker Mayfield. Even recent stars like Caleb Williams saw rivals like Drake May, Shine Brighter and Better Spots. Simpson plays a huge role for quarterbacks, more than most positions. If Simpson lands with the Rams, he'd join Sean McVey's offense, Puka Nakua, a top-running

1:03back duo, and learn behind Matthew Stafford, without starting day one. Mendoza, heading to the Raiders, faces a first-time head coach, thin whiteouts, and pressure to play right away. In the end, the QB1 label matters less than Scheme fit and solid team support, especially if you're drafting early. Winning the right infrastructure boosts any prospects odds way more than draft hype. That's the story for today, NFL News Today, driven by AI.