The New York Giants just lit a match and threw it straight into the NFL rumor mill—and it’s burning wild. One bold move, one unexpected pick, and suddenly, 31 teams are scrambling for answers. A quarterback once pegged for Day 2 greatness is now sitting pretty in the first round, and he’s already talking big, real big. Giants fans, you might want to buckle up, because Jaxson Dart just sent a message loud enough to wake up Eli Manning himself.

Well, who doesn’t like confidence? And Lane Kiffin’s former QB weapon is full of it. So, the guy once projected as a 3rd or 4th round pick got into the New York Giants in the first round. Crazy, right? New York sent its second-round pick, which is 34th overall, its 3rd-round selection, and its 2026 third-round pick to Houston. All for Dart. This makes him the second quarterback off the board after the Titans took Cam Ward with No. 1 overall.

Giants sure saw the potential, and Dart’s future plan sure confirms it. As he goes back to the Ole Miss facility, he visits the NFL wall and predicts his future. The Overtime SZN YT channel shared a glimpse where he said, “16 Super Bowl champions, going to be 17. We got 312 all-time Rebels drafted. I’m going to be right there. Mine’s going to be Silver Super Bowl Champ.” That’s sure the plan. Now, Dart becomes coach Brian Daboll’s Josh Allen in the Big Apple.

And even Daboll thinks the same, as he praised Jaxson Dart’s skills. “I like the way he plays,” Daboll said to the reporters after the Giants pick. “I like his competitive fire. I like his accuracy. I like his ability to push the ball down the field and his athletic ability to run with the football. I think this guy’s got better every year he’s played. He’s a leader; he was smart. He has the attributes that we were looking for. Excited to have him. Look forward to getting him in the room. He’s got a lot to learn. It’ll be a process here with him, but he’s a guy we look forward to working with.” That’s a straight fact.

Let’s not forget Jaxson Dart thrived in Kiffin’s pass-happy offense last season, showcasing a lightning-quick release. His impressive 2024 campaign included 4,279 passing yards, a career-high 69.3% completion rate, 29 touchdowns, and only 6 interceptions, earning him First-Team All-SEC honors. While not possessing a cannon, Dart’s accuracy and willingness to push the ball downfield are undeniable. He led the FBS in yards per attempt (10.8) and completions of 10+ yards (74), displaying excellent touch and using varied arm angles. He consistently avoids overpowering short throws.

This 6’2″ quarterback thrives in RPOs, showcasing athleticism with his legs and a willingness to run, absorbing more punishment than coaches prefer–something he needs to improve at the next level. Fearless when throwing on the run, he pushes the ball downfield even under pressure. However, he sometimes drops his eyes from downfield targets when the pocket collapses. And he also broke Giants’ legend Eli Manning’s mark of 10,119 with 10,617. But that’s not the only thing that connects both of them.

Jaxson Dart’s surprising ties with Eli Manning

The New York Giants pulled another ace from their Ole Miss deck when they grabbed Jaxson Dart with the No. 25 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. This move just adds to the Giants’ history with Rebel quarterbacks, a legacy Dart’s ready to keep rolling with. Eli Manning, the Giants’ legend and Ole Miss hero, was quick to welcome Dart, bridging the team’s past with its future.

Dart didn’t waste any time, visiting the Giants’ facility just a day after being drafted. Manning was there to greet him with a message about the long-standing connection between Ole Miss quarterbacks and the Giants: “Obviously, there’s a strong connection between Ole Miss quarterbacks and the Giants going back to Charlie Conerly,” Manning said. “I’m excited that tradition will continue with you. I’m not going to sit here and tell you what a great organization the Giants are. It won’t take you long to figure that out by yourself.”

This wasn’t just a casual meeting either. Manning and Dart have had a close relationship since Dart’s arrival at Ole Miss. “Eli’s been a huge mentor of mine when I first got here,” Dart said. After transferring from USC, Dart showed out in Oxford, and over the course of three seasons, he and Manning built a solid bond that’ll carry over to the NFL.

Manning was all in on Dart, saying, “It’s been an honor and a lot of fun rooting for you these past three years at Ole Miss. I look forward to rooting for you on the Giants for the next 15 years.” Dart made sure to show some love right back, calling Manning a “huge role model” since before his Ole Miss days. By the time Dart wrapped up his college career, he’d shattered Manning’s school record, throwing for a crazy 10,617 yards.

Giants fans are hyped to see what Dart can do in New York, hoping he’ll bring that same fire Manning did. With this Rebel finally making his way to the Giants’ field, who knows what kind of history he’ll make?