Jaxson Dart

When asked about the team’s plan for Jaxson Dart in his rookie season, GM Joe Schoen said, “He can come in, sit behind a couple veteran quarterbacks and learn.” Schoen and Daboll entered the draft on the hot seat, reportedly with orders from ownership to find the team’s long-term quarterback. While Wilson will open the season as the starter, Dart could still find his way onto the field by season’s end.

The Giants traded the No. 34 overall pick, a 2025 third-rounder and a future sixth-rounder for the right to move up nine spots to land their latest attempted quarterback solution. Frankly, it feels like a light haul, and a good move for a quarterback-desperate team. A three-year starter in Lane Kiffin’s simplistic, prolific Ole Miss offense, Dart (6’2/223) looks the NFL part both from a physical and box score perspective. His production increased all three years in Oxford, culminating in an SEC-leading 4,279 yards last season. His 10.8 yards per attempt led qualified passers by a considerable distance, a number helped along by a similarly prolific aDOT (11.9). This was despite No. 1 receiver Tre Harris suiting up for only eight games. We love that Dart stuffed the stat sheet against an SEC gauntlet, but he buttered his bread on his first 1-2 reads. If the progression had to go longer it … simply didn’t. Dart would tuck and run. He scrambled a somewhat ridiculous 45 times considering his average athleticism. He is admittedly tough as a runner, a quality in ever greater demand in the modern NFL. Dart is an impressive overall passer with a few gaping holes in his game. If he can close up 1-2 of them, he could quickly become a legitimate NFL starter. He will most likely remain on the bench for Week 1 with Russell Wilson being thrown into the early-season fire as Dart seasons.

Specifically “at the back end of the round.” Aka, the Giants would still like to select a quarterback, but they don’t view the opportunity cost of taking Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart or Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders at No. 3 overall as worth it. The G-Men have reportedly done extensive vetting on both Dart and Sanders. It would still be a mild surprise after they gave millions to both Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson, but quarterback desperation is very real.

Howe’s report comes after speaking with teams that “wouldn’t be shocked” were that the case. This could lead to a potential race between several teams to vie for a position to land Dart later in the first round. Among the teams that have shown interest in Dart include the Giants, Saints, Rams and Steelers. Connor Rogers’ final mock draft had the Giants selecting Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders with the 24th overall pick, but added Dart would not be a surprise either.