Was Jaxson Dart the right move for the Giants?

Last Thursday, The New York Giants traded back into the first round of this year’s NFL draft to select Ole Miss Quarterback Jaxson Dart at 25^th overall. The decision immediately drew mixed reactions among Giants fans, with some wondering why the team opted to reach for Dart over a high-profile, yet polarizing, prospect like Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders. 

After releasing Daniel Jones in the middle of a second straight disappointing season, the Giants entered the offseason desperate for a long-term answer under center. Their aggressiveness to secure Dart signals that Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll believe they’ve found their solution. However, doubts for Dart’s readiness for the NFL and whether he can really become the next franchise quarterback in East Rutherford are prevalent. 

Throughout most of the offseason, Dart was viewed as the third best quarterback in his class, with Sanders and Miami’s Cam Ward firmly at the top. His stock began to rise dramatically in the weeks leading up to the draft after strong showings at the Senior Bowl and Pro Day. In college, the all-SEC first team QB was third in FBS in passing yards (4,279) and first in passing yards on deep balls (1,517). Dart has shown impressive arm talent and accuracy and is able to make big plays in the air, while also showcasing sneaky athleticism, despite not being known as a scrambler. His steady improvement throughout his collegiate career culminated in breaking Eli Manning’s record for total passing yards at Ole Miss with 10,213.  

Despite the eye-popping numbers, there are still many concerns over Dart’s transition to the NFL. Being in a quarterback-friendly environment under Lane Kiffin means he typically operated with a relatively simplified playbook that gave him open receivers. Now, Dart must adapt to a more complex style of play that could prove to be a steep learning curve for the young quarterback. 

 Perhaps the most pressing concern with Dart is his decisiveness under pressure. He will often lock onto his primary read and struggle to find another option when defenses disrupt the play. He often panics when things break down and relies on his legs instead. While his athleticism has allowed him to find success on the ground in college, NFL defenses will be much more punishing and can lead to costly turnovers. These habits contributed to Dart having noticeably worse stats in the second half of games after defenses adjust, something that he must work on to find success in the NFL. 

These concerns raise the question: can Dart move past the system at Ole Miss and become a playmaker in the NFL?  

Many seem to be skeptical, but the Giants management seems to be optimistic that he can develop under Daboll with his track record with other developing quarterbacks. 

Daboll is often credited to developing Bills QB Josh Allen into the superstar he is today during his time in Buffalo. Joe Schoen recently said the Giants plan to deploy a similar developmental process for Dart in New York, believing they can replicate that success. Though Dart doesn’t have nearly the same upside as Allen, who was considered a raw talent with the physical gifts to become a true dual threat. Dart has solid traits, but he lacks Allen’s size and elite athleticism that helped him become the MVP he is. Instead, Dart projects more like a high-floor prospect with the potential to become a franchise quarterback, not a superstar.  

When Dart’s name was called, many Giants fans voiced frustrations, preferring Shedeur Sanders instead. The son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders was once seen as a potential first overall pick, but shockingly the Giants among other quarterback-needy teams passed on him. New York’s front office defended the decision, claiming Dart will be a better fit for their offensive system with his quick decision-making and deep ball ability, on top of his mature, team-first mindset that the team praised. 

Dart is unlikely to see the field much next season, with Russell Wilson expected to start. Instead, the rookie will spend this year learning on the sidelines, allowing him to adjust before thrusting him into action too early. Still, if the quarterbacks ahead of him struggle, fans may get a glimpse of the future a bit sooner than expected. 

The Giants’ bet on Jaxson Dart has its fair share of risks and promises. For a franchise desperate to find stability at the quarterback position, Dart could be the fresh start they need. Unlike Jones, who was taken sixth overall in 2019, the cost to move up for Dart was relatively modest, not even giving up a first round pick. Still, his development in New York may have major implications on the franchise going forward, and the job security of the Schoen-Daboll regime.