The New York Giants didn’t wait around for fate to deal them a quarterback—they took matters into their own hands. In a bold and unexpected move on Day 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Giants traded back into the first round and selected Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart, shaking up the draft board and sending a clear message to the rest of the league: they’re ready to turn the page and prepare for a new era under center.
After initially picking at No. 6 overall, the Giants seemed content to address other areas of need. They had been heavily linked to offensive tackles, edge rushers, and cornerbacks leading into the draft, and for the first few hours, it looked like general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll were playing it safe. But just when it seemed like the Giants were done for the night, a flurry of phone calls changed everything.
With a deal finalized just before the 29th pick, the Giants pulled off a trade with the Detroit Lions, giving up their second-rounder, a future third, and a 2025 fifth-round pick to jump back into the first round. Moments later, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stepped up to the podium with the announcement that set social media ablaze: “With the 29th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the New York Giants select Jaxson Dart, quarterback, Ole Miss.”
Giants fans erupted with a mix of excitement, shock, and curiosity. Dart had been projected by many as an early second-rounder, but his stock had been climbing steadily in the weeks leading up to the draft. After a strong showing at the Senior Bowl and an even stronger performance at the NFL Combine, the former USC and Ole Miss quarterback had found himself creeping into late first-round conversations.
Still, no one quite expected this. Especially not from a team that still has Daniel Jones on the roster, and had only recently signed veteran Tyrod Taylor to a one-year extension. But as it turns out, the Giants’ front office had been quietly keeping tabs on Dart all along, waiting for the right moment to strike.
“We did our homework,” Schoen said during his post-draft press conference. “We’ve been tracking Jaxson throughout the process, and we believe in his talent, his leadership, and his ability to grow within our system. When we saw him still available near the end of the first, we felt like it was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up.”
The move signals a turning point for the Giants, who have spent the past several seasons trying to find a long-term solution at the quarterback position. Daniel Jones showed flashes of brilliance early in his career but has struggled with injuries and inconsistency. Last season, Jones missed significant time with a torn ACL, and even when healthy, he failed to recapture the promise he showed in 2022. The front office’s patience, while admirable, seemed to be running thin.
Dart, on the other hand, represents a fresh start. A highly-touted recruit out of Utah, Dart originally committed to USC and showed early flashes of star potential before transferring to Ole Miss. Under head coach Lane Kiffin, Dart matured into a confident, dual-threat quarterback with a flair for the dramatic. He threw for over 3,800 yards and 33 touchdowns in his senior season, leading the Rebels to a 10-2 record and a New Year’s Six bowl appearance. His toughness, mobility, and deep-ball accuracy made him a favorite among scouts, even if his game still has areas that need polish.
The Giants seem willing to be patient. Dart won’t be handed the starting job right away, but he also won’t be hidden behind the scenes for long.
“We’re going to bring him along the right way,” Daboll said. “He’s a competitor. He’s got that fire you want to see in a quarterback. But like any rookie, there’s a learning curve. We’ve got a room with experience, and he’ll have a chance to grow without being thrown into the fire too soon. That said, if he earns his reps, we won’t hold him back.”
What makes Dart’s selection even more compelling is how the Giants orchestrated the deal. While other teams appeared hesitant to make aggressive moves for quarterbacks outside the top 10, the Giants saw value in striking late in the first round, a strategy that comes with a key advantage: the fifth-year option. By selecting Dart before the end of the first round, New York now controls his rights for five seasons instead of four—a luxury that could pay dividends if Dart develops into the franchise quarterback they hope he’ll become.
This move also injects much-needed excitement into a fanbase that has grown weary of half-measures and near-misses. For years, the Giants have teetered between rebuilding and contending, never fully committing to either direction. This trade signals intent. It’s not just about filling a roster spot or taking a flier. It’s about staking a claim and taking a calculated risk to reshape the team’s identity.
From a schematic standpoint, Dart fits what Daboll has wanted to build since arriving in New York. With a background rooted in developing quarterbacks—most notably Josh Allen during his time in Buffalo—Daboll has always valued quarterbacks who can extend plays, attack vertically, and lead with swagger. Dart checks those boxes.
“He’s got a lot of Josh in him,” one anonymous NFC scout said. “Big arm, moves well, plays with confidence. He needs to clean up his decision-making under pressure, but he’s the kind of guy you can build around if you give him the right support.”
Support will be critical, especially considering the Giants’ offensive line woes last season. If they’re serious about protecting Dart and maximizing his development, continuing to invest in the offensive front and adding pass-catching talent around him will be key. The team has already made strides in that area, adding young receivers and investing in the running game, but the process is far from complete.
Dart, for his part, appeared unfazed by the pressure of New York. Wearing a fresh Giants cap and beaming from ear to ear, he addressed reporters from the draft stage with humility and confidence.
“This is a dream come true,” Dart said. “To get that call and know that a team believes in me enough to make a move like that—man, it’s humbling. I’m ready to work, ready to learn, and I’m going to give everything I have to this organization.”
For a franchise that has seen Eli Manning’s two Super Bowl triumphs fade into the distant past, the search for the next great quarterback has been filled with disappointment. From Jones to Geno Smith, from Mike Glennon to Colt McCoy, the carousel has spun without landing on a long-term answer. Giants fans have endured the rollercoaster with a mix of loyalty and frustration.
Now, there’s hope again. Jaxson Dart may not be a finished product, but he represents a swing for the fences. And in today’s NFL, if you want to compete with the Mahomeses, Hurtses, and Allens of the world, you have to take swings.
In an unpredictable draft filled with smoke screens, surprises, and last-minute deals, the Giants reminded everyone that courage still counts. Playing it safe rarely wins championships. Taking risks, backing your evaluations, and making power moves—that’s how dynasties are born.
Only time will tell if Jaxson Dart becomes the next face of the franchise or just another name in the long line of Giants quarterbacks. But for now, the energy is back, the direction is clear, and New York has a new gunslinger to believe in.
And that, in itself, is a win.
