Dart may not start Week 1, but expectations are building for his debut.
Jaxson Dart hasn’t taken the field yet for the New York Giants, but the projections for when the first-round rookie might debut are only intensifying.
Dart, who starred at Ole Miss and was drafted 25th overall in April, enters his rookie season behind a pair of seasoned veterans: Russell Wilson, signed to a one-year deal, and Jameis Winston, brought in as additional insurance. That depth gives the Giants flexibility and Dart time, but it doesn’t take him out of the long-term picture.
The Draft Network recently released a set of statistical projections for the top rookie quarterbacks, forecasting that Dart could begin starting as soon as Week 13 against the New England Patriots. That would align with the Giants’ Week 14 bye, offering a clean transition if the team is out of playoff contention.
Draft Network analyst Jaime Eisner projects Dart to make five starts, totaling 1,129 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and four interceptions. Extended over a full 17-game season, those numbers would put him at a pace for 3,839 yards, 24 TDs, and 13 INTs — solid production for a player learning on the fly.
Head coach Brian Daboll has kept quiet about the quarterback hierarchy beyond Week 1, but history and numbers suggest Dart will get his chance. Over the last two seasons, Daboll’s offense has averaged more than 32 pass attempts per game, providing plenty of opportunity for a quarterback with Dart’s aggressiveness and skillset.
The presence of both Wilson and Winston provides New York with a pair of stopgap options, each with starting experience. Wilson, 36, is trying to bounce back from stints in Pittsburgh and Denver, while Winston is now on his fourth NFL team and has seen limited action in recent years. Neither is the franchise’s long-term answer. That title belongs to Dart — if he proves ready.
The 22-year-old showed polish and toughness during his college career, throwing for more than 4,200 yards and 29 touchdowns last season in the SEC. Known for his competitive fire and mobility, Dart drew praise throughout rookie minicamp for his command of the huddle and willingness to learn behind the scenes.
The Giants have been searching for consistency at quarterback since Eli Manning’s retirement. The Daniel Jones era did not pan out as hoped, and now the focus is on developing a sustainable foundation on offense with Dart at the center of it.
Whether that means a midseason debut or a full redshirt year remains to be seen. But with the Giants likely entering a transitional season, it’s not hard to imagine the rookie taking over late in the year especially if Wilson or Winston struggle to keep New York competitive in the NFC East.
For now, expect Dart to compete, absorb, and prepare. But when the opportunity arrives, likely sooner rather than later he’ll be expected to show why the Giants made him their quarterback of the future.
