“Giants should trade Jaxson Dart”: Colin Cowherd urges New York to ditch rookie QB for top 2026 draft prospect already trained on "pro's concepts"

After moving on from Daniel Jones and drafting Jaxson Dart in the 2025 NFL draft, the New York Giants were presented with another opportunity in the 2026 edition of the event. Dart caused a big impression among fans and analysts with his game, but some have criticized his style of play in recent weeks.

More than that, veteran analyst Colin Cowherd believes the Giants should move on from the Ole Miss product and focus on one of the best quarterbacks in college football this season: Fernando Mendoza. The newly-crowned Heisman Award winner has seen his draft stock rise during his impressive 2025 season.

During the latest episode of "The Colin Cowherd Show," the analyst named Mendoza as the perfect candidate for the Giants. The Fox Sports analyst noted that Indiana's pro concepts help NFL teams know more about Mendoza's traits.

"The New York Giants right now would have the No. 1 pick. You trade Jaxson Dart, you take the 6'5.5" Fernando Mendoza absolutely," Cowherd said. "I think Mendoza is about as good a prospect as you're going to get. I mean, humble. I talked about an NFL coach about him. I said this person might need a quarterback but won't be able to get Mendoza, who will go No. 1. He won't be able to move up. He's also such an easy player to scout because Indiana runs pro concepts. So you will know, watching his college film, the throws he can and cannot make.

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"His take was, 'Easy guy to comp.' He said these Big 12 guys, like (Patrick) Mahomes, you knew he was talented but you were like, 'What in the hell is that offense?' He goes, 'Mendoza's like, they run pro concepts. It's one day of watching film. You're like, Oh yeah, he can make that throw, that throw, that throw, that throw, that throw.' He goes, 'He's the easiest guy to scout ever.'"

Jaxson Dart has been electrifying during rookie season, but has failed to get wins

After a slow 0-3 start with Russell Wilson under center, the Giants named Jaxson Dart their starting quarterback. The rookie had a strong debut with a 21-18 win over the LA Chargers in Week 4. However, he won one more game for the rest of the season. At 2-12, the Giants are a serious candidate to get the No. 1 overall pick next year.

Dart has gone 165 of 264 for 1,802 yards and 13 touchdowns with four interceptions in 11 games.

Edited by Orlando Silva