The Giants traded back into the first round and selected quarterback Jaxson Dart with the 25th pick in the NFL draft. For months, there was speculation on whether the team would use the third overall pick on Shedeur Sanders or trade back into the first round for the Colorado product if he made it past the Steelers. Sanders did fall, but the rumors about head coach Brian Daboll’s interest in Dart proved true. With the selection of Jaxson Dart, Brian Daboll finally has his quarterback to mold for the Giants. He may not be the franchise’s savior in 2025, but he, without question, has the physical and mental traits that Daboll covets in a quarterback.
Front office members start their draft evaluations far before the coaching staff. Teams rarely send head coaches, unit assistants, or coordinators to scout college games during the season. In turn, coaches wait until after the regular season to start their draft preparation. The Giant’s division over Sanders is a product of this timeline.
Giants’ Draft Decision Came Down to Shedeur Sanders or Jaxson Dart
Brian Daboll & Jaxson Dart
Joe Schoen and the front office wanted Sanders. They got a head start, especially with the team losing early in the 2024 regular season. As the draft process continued, Daboll wanted Dart. He feels Dart has traits that resemble Josh Allen, whom he successfully worked with in Buffalo for three seasons before taking over as the Giants’ head coach.
According to Daboll’s comments in the team’s post-draft presser, Dart is a student of the game in the film room, and his steady improvement in three seasons at Ole Miss stood out to him. From a physical standpoint, Dart has an aggressive attitude and is willing to stretch the field vertically, albeit to a fault at times. He has an upper-level, but not elite, NFL arm talent. With this, Daboll believes he can activate all levels of his playbook that Daniel Jones could not. Again, like Josh Allen, it’s easier to mold an aggressive quarterback to limit chances and keep an offense on schedule than it is to teach a conservative quarterback to take chances. They’re not a one-to-one comparison, but it’s an archetype that Daboll has familiarity with.
They are similar in their demeanor, competitiveness, and athleticism. Daboll has never been shy about using quarterback athleticism. Josh Allen and Daniel Jones both had their best respective rushing seasons with Daboll. Once Dart gets on the field, it won’t surprise to see him running RPOs and designed bootlegs to help him get comfortable with NFL speed while his passion game develops.
In addition, Dart is willing to stand in the pocket and take hits if he anticipates a throwing lane. This trait earned him the respect of his Ole Miss teammates, coaches, and opponents across the country. Dart plays with an edge that resembles Daboll himself on the sidelines. The Giants’ quarterback and head coach duo of the future could be fiery, but one that the team very well may rally behind.
Dart Is A Project Quarterback
That said, there will be growing pains for Dart. He should not see the field in 2025 unless it’s after the Giants are out of playoff contention. The goal for him is to be the starter heading into 2026. Fortunately, the Giants set themselves up with Russel Wilson and Jameis Winston this season. Both of them are viable, startable options that will allow Dart to soak up the professional game and refine elements of his fundamentals, and prepare. Daboll stressed that the “process” for Dart in his rookie season is to be a student and see how veterans operate.
Unlike Daniel Jones, the Giants’ last first-round quarterback selection, there’s very little pressure for Dart to play right away. This gives him and the coaching staff an advantage next season. If things go awry with Wilson, Winston will be a buffer to prepare Dart as the starter rather than tossing Dart onto the field before he’s ready.
With Dart, Brian Daboll finally has the quarterback he believes in—and now it’s on him to prove it.
Main Photo: Thomas Salus-Imagn Images
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