If the 2026 NFL Draft kicked off tomorrow, the New York Giants would be on the clock with the No. 1 overall pick. But according to ESPN college football analyst Jordan Rodgers, don’t expect them to use that pick on a quarterback - because he believes they already have their guy in Jaxson Dart.
Rodgers made his case on Wednesday’s episode of Get Up, and he didn’t hold back. When asked whether the Giants might consider drafting Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza - this year’s Heisman winner - Rodgers pushed back, citing Dart’s dynamic skill set and game-changing presence.
“The problem is Jaxson Dart is a force multiplier because of his ability with his legs,” Rodgers said. And that’s not just empty praise.
Dart’s mobility doesn’t just add a wrinkle to the offense - it fundamentally changes how defenses have to prepare. His ability to extend plays outside the pocket, make throws on the move, and create off-schedule magic is the kind of trait that separates good quarterbacks from special ones in today’s NFL.
Rodgers acknowledged that Mendoza brings a lot to the table - sharp decision-making, accuracy, and poise from the pocket - but he also pointed out the challenge that comes with relying solely on those traits as a rookie. “It is so hard as a rookie to win in the NFL from the pocket without the ability to really hurt you with his legs,” Rodgers said. That’s where Dart has the edge - and why Rodgers doesn’t see the Giants moving on from him, even with the top pick in hand.
And Rodgers didn’t stop there. He went as far as to say that if Dart had returned to college for another year, he would’ve been the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft.
That’s high praise, especially when you consider the quarterback talent expected to be available. But Rodgers believes Dart’s ceiling is that high - even comparing his potential to a quarterback who’s become the gold standard for dual-threat dominance.
“He’s a dude you have to build around because he could be the next Josh Allen,” Rodgers said. And he’s not just talking hypotheticals.
Dart has produced this season, even without top weapons Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo for much of the year. Through 11 games, Dart has completed 62.5% of his passes for 1,802 yards, 13 touchdowns, and just four interceptions.
On the ground, he’s added 400 rushing yards and seven more scores - a stat line that paints a clear picture of a quarterback who can beat you in multiple ways.
But not everyone is sold.
ESPN’s Domonique Foxworth voiced concerns about Dart’s play style - particularly his tendency to take unnecessary hits. And in today’s NFL, where protecting the quarterback is paramount, that kind of risk can be a red flag for prospective head coaches.
“I know we talked about how this team was a super attractive option,” Foxworth said, “but if I’m a head coach, I’m reluctant to have my career tied to the decision-making of that man.”
Foxworth wasn’t questioning Dart’s talent - he called him exciting and acknowledged his upside - but he pointed to the quarterback’s responses and decision-making under pressure as areas of concern. “I don’t want to act like an old guy and say like, these young kids will figure it out eventually,” Foxworth added, “but these young kids will figure it out eventually.”
So where does that leave the Giants?
They’re holding the most valuable asset in football - the No. 1 overall pick - and they’ve got a quarterback who flashes MVP potential but still has some growing to do. It’s a high-stakes decision for a franchise that’s been searching for stability under center for years.
Do they double down on Dart and build around his unique skill set? Or do they reset with a polished pocket passer like Mendoza?
Rodgers believes the answer is already on the roster. Foxworth isn’t so sure. One thing’s clear: the Giants are at a crossroads, and how they navigate it could define their next decade.