Just about every single mock draft out there for April's upcoming NFL Draft has Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza going No. 1 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders. Oddsmakers at DraftKings Sportsbook agree, as Mendoza has overwhelming odds of -20000 to be selected 1st overall.
Hoosiers hold tournament destiny in their own hands entering final stretch
However, not everyone is sold on the Hoosier signal-caller being the 1st overall pick. With the draft less than two months away, one veteran NFL coach is questioning whether or not Mendoza is the surefire No. 1 pick that many executives and analysts believe him to be.
One NFL coach prefers Ty Simpson over Fernando Mendoza
According to The Athletic's Mike Sando, one NFL coach expressed skepticism about Mendoza's perceived status as a lock for the No. 1 overall pick. Furthermore, the anonymous coach stated that he prefers the skill set of Alabama QB Ty Simpson over Mendoza.
"I don't think he's surefire at all," the coach said of Mendoza. "I like the Alabama guy better."
In the latest NFL Mock Draft from Saturday Blitz, Mendoza is projected to go No. 1 overall to the Raiders with Simpson going No. 13 overall to the Rams. Saturday Blitz's Nicholas Rome notes Simpson's impressive showing at last week's NFL Combine as his reasoning for Simpson's top-15 projection. Simpson put together a strong week in Indianapolis, as he showcased his elite physical tools and showed that he is fully healthy after suffering a rib injury down the stretch of the 2025 regular season.
Mendoza didn't participate in any athletic testing or on-field drills at the Combine, but he was still seen on the field stretching with other players and supporting his Indiana teammates.
With Klint Kubiak entering his first season at the helm in Vegas, it seems likely that the Raiders pick a QB with the 1st overall pick. Minority owner Tom Brady has already publicly praised Mendoza for his character and ability to turn a program around, which has some fans already buying Mendoza Raiders jerseys.
Simpson has plenty of talent and has extreme potential in the NFL, but at this points in time, it would be rather shocking to see the Raiders pick someone other than Mendoza. Nonetheless, Simpson will more than likely be the second QB to hear his name called during the draft, which gets started on Thursday, April 23 in Pittsburgh.