Internet Calls Out Colin Cowherd's Jaxson Dart Trade, Fernando Mendoza NFL Draft Take

Fox Sports commentator Colin Cowherd believes that the New York Giants, who are positioned for the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL draft with three weeks remaining, should select Indiana quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza and trade rookie signal-caller Jaxson Dart.

Cowherd feels that way despite offering great praise for Dart just two months ago after he led the Giants to a 34-17 win over the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.

It's an interesting take from Cowherd, especially considering that the Giants seemingly have their quarterback of the future already in Dart.

The former Ole Miss star has impressed in nine starts, completing 62.5 percent of his passes for 1,802 yards, 13 touchdowns and four interceptions. He's also rushed for 400 yards and seven more scores.

Big Blue has struggled this season, going 2-7 in Dart's starts and 2-12 overall. However, the Giants' defense and special teams units have been the biggest culprits this season, while the offense has performed admirably despite losing superstar wide receiver Malik Nabers to a torn ACL in Week 4 and promising rookie running back Cam Skattebo to a season-ending ankle injury in Week 8.

Cowherd's opinion wasn't a knock on Dart, per se. Rather, he's so high on Mendoza that he thinks the Giants would in essence upgrade by picking the Heisman Trophy winner. Of note, Cowherd lauded Mendoza's size, humility and ability to run pro concepts, which he's doing at Indiana now.

Still, fans were perplexed by his opinion.

The latest B/R NFL Scouting Department big board has Mendoza at No. 4 overall, and the last B/R NFL Scouting Department mock has Mendoza at No. 1.

At this point, Mendoza is the clear favorite to go No. 1. If the Giants do get that No. 1 spot, the guess is they trade out of the pick, get more draft capital and build around Dart.

Of course, the draft can be an unpredictable crapshoot at times, but seeing Dart in anything but a Giants uniform next year would be a major surprise.