Jaxson Dart's "great fit" with Brian Daboll and the New York Giants could lead to him starting earlier than expected
It's been just three weeks since the New York Giants traded up into the first round to select former Ole Miss Rebels star quarterback Jaxson Dart, but fans and media are already clambering to see him on the field early.Head coach Brian Daboll has made it clear on multiple occasions since the NFL Draft that […]
It's been just three weeks since the New York Giants traded up into the first round to select former Ole Miss Rebels star quarterback Jaxson Dart, but fans and media are already clambering to see him on the field early.
Head coach Brian Daboll has made it clear on multiple occasions since the NFL Draft that Russell Wilson "is our starter" for the Giants. Giants general manager Joe Schoen has also made it clear that Jaxon Dart "has a lot to learn" and that sitting early on will be beneficial.
Still, in a year where both Daboll and Schoen's jobs may be on the line they may not have the luxury of keeping Dart on the bench for long. And recent history suggests they certainly won't either.
Various reporters who cover the team from CBS, NBC, and more have all written up various versions of their own stories predicting that Jaxson Dart could start as early as Week 7 at the Broncos and as late as Week 15 at home against the Commanders–almost no one believing the Giants will be in position to keep Dart off the field for too long. Why is that?
For starters, Jaxson Dart has already been putting on a show at rookie minicamp, connecting on deep balls, looking impressive. But beyond that, former NFL quarterback (turned elite QB coach) Jordan Palmer is convinced that the former Ole Miss product in Dart is simply a "great fit" with Daboll and the Giants.
"I genuinely feel like [Dart is] a great fit. I really like this marriage between Jaxson [Dart], Brian Daboll, and his staff because I do see a lot of things in Jaxson's game. I don't work with Jaxson, but I certainly look at the game differently. I break down every single guy in the draft. I do my own grades. I've been right a lot more than I've been wrong. And I was really high on Jaxson."
The Giants were obviously high enough on Dart to trade up for him. Former NFL quarterbacks and QB coaches can't stop raving about him. Local media is already assuming Dart is taking over at some point this year. But how early could that happen? And is there any actual chance Dart doesn't start a game this season?
The earliest the Jaxson Dart might legitimately see the field might surprise some fans, but it makes a lot of sense. When might that be? The Giants' fifth game of the season against the Saints. Why? The Giants could seriously start 0-4 seeing as they open at the Commanders, at the Cowboys, at home against the Chiefs, and then again at home against the Chargers. The team likely opens as underdogs in all four contests.
There's no use keeping a one-year contract, 36-year-old Russell Wilson at the helm if the team opens the year 0-4 or 1-3. At that point the season's already well on its way to over. Getting their first round rookie in against the Saints–a team who could be the worst in the entire NFL this year–would be the perfect soft opening for Dart.
Even if the Giants coaches show to be stubborn–potentially adding fuel to the annoying narrative about Lane Kiffin's system and Dart's readiness for the pros–by keeping him off the field beyond the Saints game, recent precedent suggests Dart will indeed still see action at some point this year.
85% of the quarterbacks drafted in the first round this century have played at least one game in their rookie seasons. And in recent years the average number of games played for rookie first round QBs has been quickly trending upwards. In fact, among quarterbacks who saw rookie action since 2000, those players averaged more than 10 starts on the year. The results were mixed for sure, but given Dart's impeccable pass efficiency profile (confirmed as better than Cam Ward's last year via multiple NFL staffers) it shouldn't surprise anyone if he earns early work and finds success.
The fit is there. The opportunity should be there after the Giants lose a bunch of games early. The only question is whether or not Jaxson Dart will be ready. Ole Miss fans know he will be. Giants fans, get ready for the first good quarterback play you've seen in years.
We'll be back with more Ole Miss Rebels and New York Giants coverage here at A to Z Sports soon! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!
And if you want to look back on some of the special plays from Jaxson Dart's final season with the Ole Miss Rebels enjoy the highlights video below!