Big Blue View
It might seem like a long time ago now, but Jaxson Dart was viewed with more than a bit of skepticism by NFL fans and the draft community.
Dart wasn’t really talked about as a real potential first rounder until the Senior Bowl. Even as word of the Giants’ love of him started to circulate, there were some who believed that it was a smoke screen to hide their intentions to draft Shedeur Sanders in the first round.
And even then, there were many who believed that drafting any quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft would be a mistake. There was a persistent belief that the 2025 QB class was terrible and waiting until the Giants could get a “sure thing” in 2026.
But, as we know, the Giants had very strong convictions on Dart and traded back into the first round, moving up from 34th overall to 25th overall, to select him.
Was it the right move?
There are, obviously, a lot of moving parts here. We don’t know how Dart will pan out over the coming months (and years), nor do we know how the 2026 quarterback class will shape up.
Right now, the upcoming class isn’t looking nearly as pristine as did did last April. Bill Connelly of ESPN ranked every Power 4 quarterback after the first month, and many of the QBs we were expecting to be good have fallen off a cliff.
(Note: The listed rank is their listed rank according to Connelly.)
4. Fernando Mendoza (Indiana)
Total QBR: 82.1 | Pass Yds: 1,208 | Rush Yds: 132 | Total TDs: 18
Indiana ranks first nationally in success rate*, and Mendoza ranks first among QBs. He survived an always tricky trip to Iowa City this past weekend, too, throwing for 233 yards and two touchdowns (albeit with an interception and two sacks). Kurtis Rourke was a huge part of Indiana’s surprise success last season, and thanks to Mendoza the Hoosiers are doing as well or even better this year.
(* Success rate: How frequently an offense is gaining 50% of necessary yardage on first down, 70% on second and 100% on third or fourth.)
12. John Mateer (Oklahoma)
Total QBR: 75.5 | Pass Yds: 1,215 | Rush Yds: 211 | Total TDs: 11
Obviously this one’s a bit tricky, as Mateer is out for an undetermined amount of time after hand surgery. But since he is expected back at some point this season, we’ll put him on this list.
Mateer is also tricky to evaluate because Oklahoma’s offense has been mediocre this season (61st in points per drive, 56th in yards per play), but anything good has probably been because of him. He is carrying a heavy load for an otherwise poor run game, and he is distributing the ball nicely among four pass catchers. I didn’t think he should be the Heisman favorite for his play, but he is playing well with...
