Despite making the No. 3 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, the New York Giants had a different rookie under the spotlight during rookie minicamp this past weekend. The Giants made another selection in the first round, selecting Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart, who was under a fine microscope by fans and analysts.
SNY's Connor Hughes discussed Dart's play during his first significant throwing session as a pro.
"The best thing you can say about Dart is there was an undeniable confidence in his play," Hughes wrote. "He looked comfortable and in control. I’ve covered rookie camps every year dating back to 2015 (absent the COVID season). I’ve lost track of the number of young quarterbacks (draft picks, undrafted, tryouts) I’ve seen throw. They’re almost always jittery. You’ll see them hitch because they’re not trusting their eyes. They’ll force the issue. They’ll sail passes because they’re nervous. You didn’t get that with Dart. That impressed me."
Recent reports indicate that Dart was not general manger Joe Schoen's preferred quarterback pick. Schoen was hoping to land Miami's Cam Ward, who was the top pick in the draft. Instead, Schoen selected Abdul Carter at No. 3, and traded up into the first round to select Dart.
Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll anticipate either Russell Wilson or Jameis Winston will start over Dart during the upcoming season. However, Schoen could see if the New Orleans Saints have any interest in a reunion with Winston if Dart looks good enough by the time preseason rolls around.
"He also very clearly has arm talent," Hughes added about Dart. "It was interesting watching him next to tryout quarterbacks Sammy Edwards and Myles Crawley because there was a very clear difference. He has a unique throwing motion, but there’s no lack of zip on his passes. He threw mostly passes within 15 yards of the line of scrimmage. They were impressive fastballs. As Dart develops, he’ll learn to control that. You don’t always need to give every pass everything you have. You want to throw the cliche catchable ball."
Hughes wasn't the only one impressed by Dart's throwing session.
"Dart had a perfectly fine showing during rookie minicamp," as Darryl Slater of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com noted in an article posted on Monday. "Which beats the alternative. But he still has a long way to go. Remember that."