Ty Simpson Backed as 2026 NFL Draft's Top QB over Fernando Mendoza by Lions' Terrion Arnold

Think everyone believes Indiana's Fernando Mendoza is the top quarterback available in the 2026 NFL draft? 

Think again.

"You know, I'm biased, but I think [Ty's] the best," Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold said of Alabama signal-caller Ty Simpson, per TMZ Sports. 

Arnold being biased comes as no surprise. After all, he was teammates with Simpson for two seasons at Alabama in 2022 and 2023 and is certainly familiar with the quarterback's game.

He also praised Simpson for remaining with the Crimson Tide and backing up Bryce Young and Jalen Milroe instead of entering the transfer portal.

"[He's] somebody that's really seen the game from all angles," Arnold said. "Like, when it got hard, Ty didn't run. He was in the smoke. He put his head down. He worked. He waited for his opportunity. And when his time came, he was prepared for it. So he's somebody that you know is going to be prepared for the moment."

Simpson waited for his moment at Alabama and then started during the 2025 campaign. All he did in that one season was lead the Crimson Tide to the SEC championship game and College Football Playoff while completing 64.5 percent of his passes for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns and five interceptions.

Ty Simpson highlights

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Whether that ends up being good enough to hear his name called in Thursday's first round remains to be seen, but he won't pass Mendoza. In fact, Mendoza is widely expected to be the first overall selection when the Las Vegas Raiders make their choice.

B/R's NFL Scouting Department projected Simpson to fall to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 34 in its final mock draft, which would make him the second overall selection of the second round.

If it was up to Arnold, he would be chosen much earlier than that.