Fox Sports' Colin Cowherd has a way of making headlines, and Thursday was no exception. During his latest pre-draft rant, the outspoken host managed to weave Margot Robbie into the conversation about the 2026 NFL Draft's top quarterback prospect, Fernando Mendoza.
Cowherd has been singing Mendoza's praises for months, and he doubled down this week by comparing the Indiana standout to former MVP Matt Ryan. “Fernando Mendoza is easily the best quarterback prospect,” Cowherd said. “Is he Matt Ryan plus Heisman Winner? 16-0 at a non-traditional power, big arm, moves well, humble, gratitude, and you get that rookie quarterback contract for the next four to five years.”
But when critics pushed back, suggesting Mendoza isn't an “Andrew Luck-level prospect,” Cowherd reached for a Hollywood analogy. “People say he’s not Andrew Luck,” he said. “That’s like saying I’d like to date women but they’ve gotta be at least Margot Robbie… If that’s your standard, you’re gonna be lonely the rest of your life.”
It's not every day an NFL prospect gets compared to an A-list actress, but Cowherd has never been one to shy away from colorful metaphors. The comparison underscores just how high he is on Mendoza, who won the Heisman Trophy and led Indiana to an undefeated season.
Meanwhile, Mendoza has already made a big decision about draft night itself. Despite being projected as the No. 1 overall pick, the quarterback won't be in Pittsburgh for the ceremony. Instead, he'll celebrate with family and friends in South Florida. “Pittsburgh is a great opportunity and it’s a great venue, and I’m really excited to see most of the guys walk across the stage on Thursday night,” Mendoza said. “However, my mom really wanted to do it at home, and so did my parents — it’s a lot easier for us, especially with the family situation. I wanted to stay and make the memory with everybody who poured into my football journey.”
While some might question skipping the league's biggest stage, Mendoza's choice reflects his grounded nature — a trait Cowherd admires. The quarterback's academic excellence is also making waves: his 4.7 GPA surfaced just hours before the draft, adding another layer to his impressive profile.
Not everyone is convinced, though. Some analysts still wonder if Mendoza can replicate his college success at the pro level. But Cowherd isn't backing down. “You get that rookie contract, you get that humility, you get that big arm — it’s a no-brainer,” he said.
As the draft approaches, all eyes will be on Las Vegas, where the Raiders are expected to select Mendoza first overall. Whether he lives up to the “Margot Robbie standard” remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Cowherd will be watching — and talking.
