Giants Shake Up Draft Night With Jaxson Dart Pick
Not every team goes aggressively quarterback hunting, especially not after picking a defensive star at the top of the NFL Draft. But the New York Giants decided one impact player just wasn’t enough. After grabbing Penn State’s Abdul Carter with the third overall pick, they sent shockwaves through the football world by trading back into the first round to select Jaxson Dart, a promising but unproven quarterback out of Ole Miss, with the 25th pick.
Dart wasn’t the consensus top choice in a class that featured bigger names like Shedeur Sanders, but the Giants’ front office was sure of one thing—the status quo at quarterback couldn’t last. Team owner John Mara has been clear: stability under center had to be the offseason’s top priority. With aging veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston only offering short-term answers, the team was hunting for a leader who could grow into the role and finally bring some consistency for Giants fans weary of failed experiments.
At 21, Dart left Ole Miss with a mixed college resume but impressed decision-makers with more than just tape. During the buildup to the NFL Draft, he showed up to every interview and workout ready to prove his leadership, relentless work ethic, and the kind of composure you want calling the shots in New York. Head coach Brian Daboll reportedly had his eye on Dart the whole way, placing him above other options in the war room—especially after Shedeur Sanders slid out of the first round, a move that raised eyebrows across social media.
The Giants’ new plan centers on patience. No one’s expecting Dart to unseat both Wilson and Winston for the Week 1 job in 2025. The coaches want him brought along slowly, giving him a chance to learn behind two of the league’s most experienced (and, in Wilson’s case, once-elite) passers. By structuring a development path rather than a pressure-packed debut, GM Joe Schoen and Daboll signaled they’ve learned from past quarterback flops, hoping this measured approach can finally stick.
Analysis: Will Dart Live Up To The Hype?
Draft-night reactions were all over the map. CBS Sports threw some cold water on the move, slapping it with a C- grade and raising questions about the value given up in the trade. Critics wondered whether the Giants were too eager, maybe even a little desperate, to plug the quarterback hole. But not everyone saw a reach. Eric Rang of Fox Sports argued Dart might have the highest upside among second-tier quarterbacks in this class, calling out his arm strength, nimble feet, and a knack for big-play improvisation—qualities the Giants have lacked under center for years.
Insiders say the Giants' staff zeroed in on Dart’s football smarts and versatility during private meetings. In a league where rookie quarterbacks are thrown into the fire and often burned, the Giants are opting for an old-school method. Let him sit. Let him learn. Let him step in only when the roster—and Dart himself—are ready.
The move isn’t just about one player. By investing in the quarterback spot, and pairing Dart’s long-term promise with a first-round pass rusher in Abdul Carter, the Giants’ front office is doing more than just fighting for wins this season—they’re fighting for their own future tours of duty at MetLife. There's no sugarcoating it: if Dart develops into the player they believe he can be, it will be remembered as a franchise-defining moment. If not, well, New York rarely gives out second chances.
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