Orlovsky and McElroy highlighted five names that will define the first two days of the draft. Fernando Mendoza sits at the top, coming off a Heisman-winning season where he led Indiana to a national title. He’s the most pro-ready passer in the group, showing elite processing speed. Behind him, Alabama’s Ty Simpson is the high-stakes gamble. Simpson threw for 3,567 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2025, but his limited starting experience makes some scouts twitchy.
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LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier represents the “rhythm” option. As the son of an NFL coach, he plays with a level of anticipation that most rookies lack. Meanwhile, Miami’s Carson Beck is the traditional pocket leader. He completed 72.4% of his passes in 2025, guiding the Hurricanes to the brink of a championship. Finally, Penn State’s Drew Allar remains the physical outlier. Despite a leg injury that cut his senior season short, his 6-foot-5 frame and “bazooka” arm talent kept him in the first-round conversation throughout the scouting combine.
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The conversation shifted from the pocket to the backfield when discussing Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love. Both analysts agreed that Love is the most “complete” prospect available. He isn’t just a runner; he’s a three-down weapon who can pass-protect and catch out of the backfield with ease. Orlovsky sent a clear message to NFL front offices: stop looking for flaws in a player who has produced back-to-back 90.0+ PFF grades.
“Fernando Mendoza is the real deal. He doesn’t just see the field; he manipulates it. But if you want a defender who changes the math for an offensive coordinator, it’s Rueben Bain. He’s a one-man wrecking crew.”
— Dan Orlovsky, NFL Analyst
On the defensive side, Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. earned the title of “best defender in the draft.” Bain’s 23.5% pass-rush win rate topped all Power Four edge rushers in 2025. He plays with a low center of gravity and heavy hands that leave offensive tackles grasping at air. To round out the discussion, the duo debated the top wideout. Ohio State’s Carnell Tate is currently the leader in the clubhouse, but Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson and USC’s Makai Lemon are closing the gap as private workouts begin.
