Making the jump from college football to the NFL is difficult for every player in their rookie season. It can be overwhelming and sometimes impossible for quarterbacks.
It’s why New York Giants first-round pick Jaxson Dart will be treated with patience and a long-term vision by coach Brian Daboll, who’s said all offseason that the plan will be for Russell Wilson to be the team’s starter in 2025, with veteran Jameis Winston serving as the primary backup.
And while that’s a great idea in theory, Dart will have some say — with his play on the field — whether Daboll’s plan remains in place.
You know the drill by now. First-round quarterbacks never sit for a full season, especially if the team that drafted them goes on a losing streak or the offense stalls. And while the Giants certainly have a defense that will give Wilson every opportunity to win a bunch of games in 2025, if he falters at any point around the midseason mark or beyond, the calls for Dart will be hard to ignore.
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The good news for Daboll is that Dart is a quick study. He’s excelled during each phase of New York’s offseason program and has taken some valuable lessons with him as the team goes on an extended break before training camp.
As for the biggest lesson he’s learned so far?
“I think the biggest thing is there’s a lot of times where you’re making a throw and you feel confident, and you have guys on the other end who are extremely talented, great playmakers who either break a pass up or make a great play on it,’’ Dart said. “So, I think probably the biggest thing is just the qualities and just the overall athleticism on the other side of the ball.’’
It can’t be overstated how important that takeaway is. Quarterbacks making the NFL leap often trust their arm too much; they think the throws they made at the college level will work in the pros. It’s rarely the case, and the guys who learn that early in their careers tend to have the most longevity.
Jaxson Dart is already figuring that out before his first training camp. It’s a great sign for his accelerated development, which we’ll see firsthand when Big Blue kicks off its preseason schedule against the Buffalo Bills on August 9.
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