3 Giants training camp developments that should have New York fans paying attention, including Jaxson Dart update
Some of what we’ve learned from New York Giants training camp early on, including notes on Jaxson Dart’s development and Odell Beckham Jr.’s roster outlook.
New York Giants training camp is in full swing, and the developments coming out of West Virginia deserve a closer look. From Jaxson Dart’s adjustment to Matt Nagy’s offense, to a defensive tackle making jaw-dropping plays, to a veteran wide receiver who may already be on the outside looking in, there is plenty to unpack from the Giants’ early camp sessions.
With the first preseason game right around the corner, let’s dig in.
Jaxson Dart’s transition to Harbaugh’s offense will take time
It has been reported that Dart has been slow to get going as he adapts to the new offense. As I discussed last week, there has been a major difference in the way New York’s offense has looked during camp. That was always going to be the case, but the more important takeaway is that it was going to take time for Dart to get acclimated to the new system.
The biggest change has been the amount of time Dart is spending under center. He was not an under-center quarterback in college, and he certainly was not one as a rookie. In 2025, the coaching staff babied Dart. According to Dan Duggan of The Athletic, Dart was in shotgun 79.9% of the time last season. For comparison, Lamar Jackson, one of the NFL’s most frequent shotgun quarterbacks, was only in shotgun 67.1% of the time. The separation is stark. Dart was essentially running a college-style playbook loaded with RPOs, nothing resembling a modern NFL system.
What’s been coming out of camp is that Dart has not fully acclimated to reading the field and making decisions from under center, where his back is turned to the defense. That is going to lead to miscues. It is going to lead to mistakes. Most importantly, it is going to lead to him holding onto the ball too long.
The other factor that explains some of his trouble is the pass rush he’s facing every day. Going up against a defensive front loaded with elite athletes makes the job significantly harder.
While those challenges might limit Dart’s big-play ability during camp, they should pay dividends once the regular season arrives. Facing that kind of heat in practice should make him feel calmer in games. The key is whether Dart understands that all the pressure is making him better and doesn’t let it erode his confidence. That is a struggle many teams endure when a defense is significantly better than the offense in camp.
Harbaugh’s comments suggest that confidence is not an issue.
“You can’t even imagine how much there is for a quarterback to operate with, especially in a new offense. He’s done an outstanding job. There’s so much on his plate. He’s pushing the envelope. He’s also competing at the same time. He’s a fiery guy, and I’m very impressed,” Harbaugh said.
That feeds directly into why I’m not worried about Dart. It sounds like he’s barreling through the growing pains, grinding it out, and pushing his limits. That is always a good sign for a young quarterback trying to learn a new offense and perform at a high level.
Darius Alexander is turning heads
The Giants defense has been dominant in the early stages of camp, and while Abdul Carter has generated significant hype, Darius Alexander deserves attention.
Duggan captured the moment that got everyone talking:
Some people tried to use this as evidence that Dart stinks. That’s not how I read it whatsoever. Alexander is a legitimate athlete. He did this exact thing at Toledo against Pitt, dropping into coverage, picking the ball off, and returning it for a touchdown.
Alexander is not going to become a ball-hawking defensive tackle, but this is a strong indicator that he is starting to play with more cerebral awareness. He is starting to develop a feel for the game. Reports from camp indicate that Alexander has been quite disruptive and is showing the positive improvements that could make him a key piece on this defensive line.
This was one of my bold predictions heading into the season. If Alexander plays to the athletic potential that warranted his draft position, the interior of New York’s defensive line goes from a liability to a strength. The physical gifts are undeniable, and if he continues making these small jumps by producing ridiculous plays in camp, it will translate to big performances on the field.
Giants’ Odell Beckham Jr. may already be on the outside looking in
The last development that keeps popping up is that wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has not done much of anything during camp. I want to reiterate a point I made after his signing. I was very clear: Giants fans should not get overly excited. Because of his age, the clear regression, the amount of time he has spent away from football, and lingering injuries, it was always going to be a monumental task for him to just make the roster.
A lot of fans were caught up in the nostalgia of who Beckham was when he was drafted, the historic catch, and a memorable moment ingrained in this franchise’s history. He’s not that same player anymore. If he doesn’t make this team, do not be shocked.
I think it’s more likely that JuJu Smith-Schuster makes this roster over Beckham. Smith-Schuster’s body type and experience on winning rosters are more translatable to what the Giants need than anything Beckham can provide at this stage of his career. Additionally, Braxton Berrios appears to be trending toward a roster spot.
Berrios has a track record as a dynamic and reliable kick returner, and considering how important special teams are under Harbaugh, he seems to be trending toward becoming the Giants’ return man.
Beckham is getting boxed out quickly. At the beginning of training camp, he already seems like he’ll need a rapid rise over the next few weeks to earn a spot. Hopefully, if he is just rusty, he can find a way to contribute. But based on everything coming out of West Virginia, Giants fans should temper expectations.
