The New York Giants selected Jaxson Dart with the 25th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, impressed by his performance at Ole Miss. Dart is expected to begin his professional career under head coach Brian Daboll, who is known for his offensive expertise.
The Giants showed strong interest in Dart throughout the draft process, choosing him ahead of other notable quarterback prospects such as Shedeur Sanders, Jalen Milroe, Dillon Gabriel, and Tyler Shough. Upon joining the team, Dart will be in a quarterback room that includes ten-time Pro Bowler Russell Wilson and one-time Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, setting the stage for a competitive depth chart.
Expectations for Jaxson Dart’s Rookie Season and Potential Impact
ESPN analyst Mike Clay forecasts that Dart could have a significant role during his rookie year, possibly even starting games before the season concludes. Clay highlights historical trends showing that most first-round quarterbacks drafted between 2011 and 2024 have taken over starting duties within their first year.
“Dart will begin his career behind Russell Wilson and perhaps also Jameis Winston, but history suggests the No. 25 pick will make a Year 1 impact. From 2011 to 2024, 38 of 47 first-round QBs (81%) took over as the starter prior to Week 10. Twenty-three (49%) started in Week 1, including Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix last season. Of the seven QBs picked in the 20-32 range, six played as rookies and four took over before Week 5. Jordan Love was the only exception since he backed up Aaron Rodgers for three seasons,” Clay wrote in his ESPN report.
Clay projects that Dart could compile approximately 1,968 passing yards and 10 touchdowns across nine starts in his first season. Although Dart will initially be behind Wilson and Winston on the New York Giants quarterback depth chart, there remains a strong possibility that he might earn a starting role from the outset or shortly thereafter.
Current Quarterback Lineup for the New York Giants
The Giants’ active roster includes four quarterbacks: Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, Jaxson Dart, and Tommy DeVito. Wilson and Winston bring a wealth of experience and accolades, while Dart and DeVito represent the younger, less seasoned tier of quarterbacks on the squad.
Dart’s college career involved one season at USC and three seasons at Ole Miss, where he set the program record for most passing yards. Conversely, Tommy DeVito has seen limited action, appearing in 12 professional games and expected to move between the active roster and practice squad throughout the year.
Implications for the Future of the Giants’ Quarterback Situation
The arrival of Jaxson Dart introduces fresh competition within the Giants’ quarterback group, potentially reshaping the depth chart during the 2025 season. His rookie projections and draft position suggest that management envisions him as a long-term option, providing a possible successor to veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston.
How the coaching staff balances experience and emerging talent will be crucial to the Giants’ offensive success moving forward. Should Dart manage to secure significant playing time early in his career, it could signal a shift in leadership at the quarterback position and influence the team’s strategy in the coming years.