The New York Giants are staring down the barrel of the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. And with that comes a tidal wave of speculation, debate, and-let’s be honest-some wild takes.
The latest? That the Giants should hit reset again at quarterback by trading Jaxson Dart and using that top pick on Indiana’s Heisman-winning QB Fernando Mendoza.
Let’s unpack this.
The Mendoza Moment
Right now, Mendoza looks like the clear-cut QB1 in this draft class. He’s polished, poised, and has the kind of resume that usually earns a spot at the top of the board-especially in a year that’s shaping up to be thin at the position.
With so many quarterback-needy teams in the Top 10, it’s a safe bet that Mendoza goes early. Maybe even first.
But here’s where things get interesting. Some analysts are floating the idea that the Giants should move on from Dart-who they just brought in-and take Mendoza instead.
The logic? Dart’s injury history makes him too risky.
Mendoza, while less athletic, is being painted as the “safer” option.
That’s a slippery slope.
Dart’s Not the Problem
Let’s not forget: Jaxson Dart was brought in to be the guy. And in flashes, he’s looked every bit the franchise quarterback the Giants have been searching for.
He’s got the arm. He’s got the mobility.
He’s shown he can win inside and outside of structure. And he’s already earned the respect of a locker room that’s been through its share of QB turnover.
Daniel Jeremiah, a former NFL scout and one of the more respected voices in draft analysis, isn’t buying the Mendoza-over-Dart idea either. When asked if the Giants should “pull a Josh Rosen” and move on from Dart, Jeremiah didn’t hesitate.
“No,” he said flatly. “Not where I am in the process right now.
I’ve seen Cam Ward play live and I was there for Jaxson Dart’s first start with the Giants. Talent-wise, I think they’re more physically gifted than any of the quarterbacks I’ve seen in this class.”
He added that while Mendoza is solid-and probably the best of this group-it’s not enough to justify punting on Dart. That’s not a small endorsement.
The Injury Narrative: Real or Overblown?
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: Dart’s injury history.
There’s no denying he’s been in the tent more than you’d like to see. Five concussion evaluations in ten starts is a red flag, no question. He’s missed time, including games against the Packers and Lions, and that availability issue has understandably raised concerns.
But here’s the nuance that often gets lost in the hot takes: many of those evaluations came after routine plays. Dart wasn’t getting lit up on every snap-far from it. In fact, he’s been cleared by independent neurologists each time, and several of those trips to the tent were more precautionary than anything else.
Take his slide against Washington, for example. He went down early to avoid a hit, and the defenders ended up hitting each other harder than they hit him.
That’s not recklessness. That’s smart football.
A Tough, Smart, Competitive QB
Dart’s playing style is aggressive, sure. But it’s not reckless.
He’s not out there trying to be a battering ram. He’s trying to make plays.
And more often than not, he’s doing it with a high football IQ and a deep understanding of situational football.
He’s been one of the best quarterbacks in the league at avoiding sacks since taking over. That’s not just about athleticism-it’s about vision, timing, and awareness.
His two-point conversion scramble against the Patriots? That was vintage Mahomes.
Eyes downfield, defenders spinning in circles, and Dart making something out of nothing. That’s not a fluke.
That’s a quarterback who knows what he’s doing.
And while he’s built like a power back, he rarely lowers the shoulder unless he absolutely has to. He’s trying to out-angle defenders, not truck them.
Yes, he’s miscalculated at times. But to say he’s inviting contact or playing without regard for his health?
That’s just not accurate.
The Bigger Picture
This narrative that Dart is “too physical” or “too competitive” to be a long-term answer in the NFL is starting to feel less like analysis and more like fear-mongering. It’s the kind of storyline that takes root when fans and media latch onto a single concern and blow it up into a referendum on a player’s entire career.
And let’s be real-some of this feels eerily familiar. Remember when Odell Beckham Jr. was labeled a “problem” for dancing after touchdowns? Sometimes, the conversation around a player says more about the people talking than the player himself.
What the Giants Really Need
The Giants don’t need another quarterback. They need to build around the one they have.
Dart has shown he can be the guy. He’s got the tools, the toughness, and the leadership. What he needs is time, support, and a coaching staff that knows how to harness his strengths without trying to coach the fire out of him.
Yes, availability matters. But so does competitiveness.
So does playmaking. So does the ability to elevate a team when things break down.
Trading Dart now would be a panic move-one that ignores the strides he’s made and the potential he’s shown. The Giants have something rare in him: a quarterback who can create, inspire, and win. That’s not someone you give up on lightly.
If the Giants end up with the No. 1 pick, great. Use it to build around Dart.
Get him a left tackle. Get him a weapon.
Get him a defense that can close out games.
But don’t hit reset just because a shiny new quarterback is sitting at the top of the draft board. Not when you’ve already got one worth building around.