The New York Giants went for it all on draft night. They took Abdul Carter at No. 3 overall, then circled back into the first round to land the quarterback they actually wanted — Ole Miss product Jaxson Dart.
It was a calculated move, sending picks 34, 99, and a future third to Houston for the 25th pick. High-risk, high-upside stuff. And it signaled one thing loud and clear: the Giants think they found their guy.
That belief came with its share of questions. Dart wasn’t a consensus first-rounder. He’s raw. He played in a wide-open system. And with Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston already on the roster, he’s not even expected to sniff the field in Week 1... quite possibly Year 1. But the front office saw something in him. Now we’re starting to see it too.
Because in just two short days of rookie minicamp, Dart gave fans some glimpses at why the Giants pulled the trigger — and it ended with a throw that stole the weekend.
Jaxson Dart puts an exclamation point on rookie minicamp
Dart impressed on Day 1 of minicamp, slinging the ball confidently in 7-on-7 drills. One of his sharpest throws came on a sideline rope to Jordan Bly, an undrafted rookie out of Gardner-Webb. It wasn’t a bomb, but it was on time, on target, and another early sign that Dart’s command of the offense is already trending in the right direction.
But the throw that will have fans talking came on Day 2...
With clear skies overhead and the final reps of rookie minicamp winding down, Dart dropped back, scanned the field, and uncorked a laser down the right sideline to undrafted free agent Da’Quan Felton. It wasn’t just a nice throw. It was the kind of touch-pass-on-a-rope that makes people stop talking mid-sentence, draws a gasp from the sideline, and has fans texting their group chats like it’s Week 1.
Deep ball from Dart 🔥 pic.twitter.com/rBQ9RRPGrt
— New York Giants (@Giants) May 10, 2025
Felton, a 6-foot-5 vertical threat out of Virginia Tech, ran his route clean and hauled it in for six. The ball dropped in perfectly — like the ultimate bread basket catch. It was fitting it came on one of the last plays of practice, a little exclamation point on what was already shaping up to be a pretty encouraging weekend for Big Blue’s rookie QB.
It wasn’t just the throw either. Dart was sharp all weekend. Brian Daboll praised his preparation, his communication, and his “natural leadership” — the stuff that matters more than highlight clips. “He’s got the right traits for it,” Daboll said. The coaches see it. The team feels it. Now the fanbase is getting its first taste.
And here’s the thing: Dart’s not going to be the Day 1 starter. That’s Wilson’s job. But that doesn’t mean Dart can’t own the moments that matter right now — the meetings, the walkthroughs, and for sure, the perfectly-placed darts to potential breakout UDFAs.
So no, Big Blue didn’t just draft a guy with an impressive arm. They may have just found their quarterback of the future — one already showing command, poise, and the kind of intangibles this franchise has been starving for. If this is the basement, buckle up. The climb could be something truly special.
More New York Giants news and analysis