While New York Giants fans are hopeful Jaxson Dart can be a future franchise quarterback, he has given them enough evidence over the last few weeks to not play around and use the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft on the best signal caller available in April.
This has been a disastrous season for the Giants. They enter the final two weeks of the season with a sad 2-13 record. However, if there was one thing worth watching throughout this miserable season, it has been rookie Jaxson Dart. The former Ole Miss star has electrified New York fans with his heart, grit, running skills, and passes.
It has made many believe that if they do secure the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft, they can go best player available, because they have their QB of the future. But over the last month, Dart has given reason to contemplate using that selection on a generational signal caller, because having such an opportunity is one that can’t be wasted.
Jaxson Dart’s Recent Decline
For a team that has seen some terrible offensive play at times over the last couple of years, Dart brought electricity that the franchise has lacked. Over his first six starts, he threw 10 touchdowns to two interceptions and ran for 251 yards and five more TDs on the ground.
However, after head coach Brian Daboll’s firing and suffering a concussion against the Chicago Bears, he has not been nearly the same player in his last three games, as SNY NFL insider Connor Hughes pointed out this week.
“Over his last three starts, all losses, Dart is averaging 139.3 passing yards (down from 202) and 30 rushing yards (down from 45), with his touchdowns down to one per game,” Hughes wrote. “His turnovers have increased as well. After committing four total in his first seven starts, Dart has two in his last three — a number that could easily be higher, if not for drops.”
Dart’s recent numbers may just be a symptom of losing a strong offensive mind like Daboll and a severe lack of weapons around him. However, his declining performance is not the only concern.
Jaxson Dart Concussion Concerns
Dart’s numbers may be heading in the wrong direction because the organization has understandably moved away from using his running talents. Not because he wasn’t effective, but the running style that made him a star in high school and college has led to a bunch of official or near-concussions during his rookie season.
The young QB has been looked at five times for concussions since the preseason. One of the few times he wasn’t evaluated after getting his bell rung — after a run against the Bears — he actually suffered a one, and he was forced to miss a couple of games.
If his numbers are down because he can’t run, and he can’t use his legs because he is already showing symptoms of being easily concussed, it is further reason to seriously question if he is the long-term option at QB for the NY Giants and their next head coach.
Get the Best Coach Possible, Not Just for Jaxson Dart
With Mike Kafka giving no reason for NY Giants fans to believe he can replace Daboll and continue the development Dart made under the former head coach, the organization will find its next head coach from outside the organization.
Over the last few weeks, the team has been linked to both NFL legend Bill Belichick and Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman. Both are well-respected defensive minds. Which wouldn’t seem to jive with getting a new head coach who can help take Dart to new heights. But the Giants shouldn’t lean toward a candidate who can specifically help the rookie QB. Especially since he is showing signs that he may not be the player the team hoped he could be.
Considering how bad they have been for much of the last decade, since Tom Coughlin was ousted, they need to find the coach that can get them back to being a yearly playoff contender and not find one to just cater to Dart’s potential.
This Year’s NFL Draft Offers a Strong QB Class
Having the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft is a rare opportunity, and the NY Giants look to be on course to get that pick. It offers the chance to potentially get a generational talent at the most important position, quarterback. This year’s class includes several high upside prospects, including Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza.
If the Giants go into their draft evaluation process and feel strongly about one of the QBs in the 2026 class, they should take that player. While they gave up day two and three picks to get back into Round 1 to select Dart, they could dangle him in trades during the draft to recoup some of those selections.
If New York maintains the status quo and goes with Dart, it isn’t a terrible idea, and they can still get a generational talent or trade for more picks in Round 1. However, if there is a special QB available in April, they should not hesitate to select him with the No. 1 overall pick.
