Jaxson Dart was a mild surprise at the back end of the first round. Not quite as surprising as Shedeur Sanders’ fall, but a surprise nonetheless. The Giants already have Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston in the building, but Dart’s going to get a lot of attention like the shiny new toy a kid gets on Christmas Day.
The Giants just had their first rookie mini-camp, and all eyes are on Dart as he shows off his big arm and tantalizing talent.Â
Giants’ Insider Gives Breakdown of Dart’s Rookie Minicamp Performance
Connor Hughes of SNY is at the Giants’ camp and got a good look at Dart’s first two days on the field.
“First day of #Giants rookie minicamp is over,” Hughes said. “I thought Jaxson Dart looked as good as you can hope a rookie will look in this setting. Flashed the arm talent. Decisive with ball. Mean anything? No. But it’s better than looking bad. He was 8 of 10 passing. Two incompletions were two drops. Two highlights on mid-range throws.”
First day of #Giants rookie minicamp is over. I thought Jaxson Dart looked as good as you can hope a rookie will look in this setting. Flashed the arm talent. Decisive with ball. Mean anything? No. But it’s better than looking bad. He was 8 of 10 passing. Two incompletions were…
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes)
“Walking off after the second day of Giants rookie mini-camp. One I was very intrigued to watch because the elements here. Very, very windy day in East Rutherford. How would Jaxson Dart do in these conditions,” Hughes mentioned. “Thought Dart looked pretty good, it didn’t impact him whatsoever. Statistically might have raised some eyebrows, just seven of thirteen passing … The Giants were much more aggressive today … I have five passes over 20 yards that Dart attempted.”
“In fact, practice ended on his highlight of the two days. A 45-yard touchdown to Felton up the right sideline,” Hughes said.
Statistically worse day for Jaxson Dart, but I didn’t come away overly concerned. #Giants were much more aggressive today pic.twitter.com/Be5wNIvljv
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes)
Dart had a circuitous route to the NFL. He was a four-star dual-threat quarterback from Utah who started three games at USC in 2021. He showed flashes but entered the transfer portal after Lincoln Riley hired him, who brought Caleb Williams with him from Oklahoma.
He shone at Ole Miss. In three years as a starter, he racked up 10,617 passing yards and 72 total touchdowns. In 2024, he led the Rebels to an 11-2 record. He’s regarded as a tough, physical, big-armed talent. He can throw deep outs and crossers with precision and velocity.
His mechanics are a little loose, especially under pressure, and he has to work on reading disguised defensive coverages so he doesn’t try to throw through windows that don’t exist.
If the Giants stick to the plan of starting either Wilson or Winston, Dart will get time to develop and adapt to the next level competition and speed of the NFL.
