Jeremy Fowler: Jaxson Dart 'established himself in two areas' in first months with Giants

Despite adding Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston via free agency, the New York Giants made a trade back into the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. They used that pick to select Jaxson Dart, and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said the former Ole Miss star is making quite an impression.

Through OTAs and into mandatory minicamp, Dart showed progress as he learned Brian Daboll’s offense, according to Fowler. Although Wilson is expected to be the Giants’ starter this year, Dart is picking things up quickly.

In fact, Fowler said the sense is Dart “established himself” in two key areas. Not only is he learning fast, but he’s also motivated to adjust to his new scheme.

“I was told from somebody with the team that late in OTAs, things finally started to click for Dart, as far as the mental portion of the game – learning the cadence, what Brian Daboll wants out of the offense, decision-making,” Fowler said on SportsCenter on Saturday. “He carried that over into minicamp.

“Look, they’re taking it slowly. This is not a situation where he’s going to be thrust into action early. They have Russell Wilson ready to go. But they feel like Dart established himself in two areas: He’s a quick learner and he’s highly motivated.”

Dart put together a decorated career at Ole Miss after transferring from USC. He became the program’s all-time leader in passing yards, breaking Eli Manning’s previous record. In 2024, he led the nation with 10.8 pass yards per attempt while totaling 4,279 yards and 29 touchdowns.

The Giants’ approach with Dart is similar to the one Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen took with Josh Allen with the Buffalo Bills. However, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter pointed out, Allen had to play earlier than planned. While he made it clear he wasn’t comparing Dart and Allen as players, he noted things can change quickly.

“The Giants would like to be as patient as they can with their rooking first round draft pick Jaxson Dart,” Schefter said. “And go with Russell Wilson. But, let’s keep in mind that once before Brian Daboll and the Giants’ general manager Joe Schoen was in Buffalo and the plan there was to be very patient with Josh Allen, and he was called on to start a lot sooner than anybody expected.

“Now, we’re not saying that Jaxson Dart is Josh Allen. We’re just saying that they can have a plan to go with Russell Wilson. But plans sometimes change. That will depend on Russell Wilson, how well he plays, how much this team wins, and how patient this whole entire organization can be.”