Draft nights are often wild and unpredictable. On Friday, April 25th, Day 2 of the NFL Draft, when teams were scrambling, phones buzzing, the New York Giants made their move early on Day 2. Despite the first-round buzz, Jaxson Dart skipped the Green Bay spotlight to be with family. On day 2, when the Giants traded him, he didn’t seem to be shocked. Dart’s response to being picked: “Quite honestly, this has just been something that I’ve just expected when I was younger.” The freshman seemed too confident, given his age. “I never saw my future playing out any differently.” His quiet confidence has convinced the Giants that he’s the guy for their team, but the opinion remains divided.

The questions haven’t stopped. Dart has heard it all: he’s talented but raw, and still needs a lot of development to be a reliable QB for his team. Some of Dart’s skepticism is tied directly to his college coach’s offense at Ole Miss. Lane Kiffin‘s offense is believed to be heavy on PROs and quick reads. In his first presser after being picked by the Big Blue, a reporter asked, “How ready do you believe you are? When you hear you know he needs time to develop, what goes through your mind?”.

Dart replied, “Quite honestly, I try to stay away from it as much as I can. I am just focused on getting better each and every day. I feel like anytime I step on a football field. I am gonna go out there and ball, regardless of who I am playing against. So I have that confidence in myself.”

Well, Jaxson Dart has never been the one to doubt himself. This has been his plan all along, and his plan A worked. What can we say? The critics might think his game needs development, but his self-belief says otherwise. As we speak about critics, it’s difficult to skip a certain AFC Executive.

In an appearance with Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the executive said, “I could teach my dog to fu**ing run those concepts.” Now that’s harsh, but can this twenty-one-year-old prove his critics wrong? His weak throw, inconsistency debates might not sync with his school record of 10,617 career passing yards, 4279 yards in 2024, a 69.3% completion rate, and 29 touchdowns to just six interceptions. So, as the floor is open for words, the young lad is a gamble the Giants are willing to put their bet on.

Can the Giants polish the tools, sharpen his instincts, and turn Jaxson into the next face of their franchise? Because ready or not, Dart’s time is here. Now, as Dart marches towards his NFL future with the Giants, a special surprise is around the corner.

Childhood idol showers Jaxson Dart with warm words amid criticism

The former Ole Miss QB already had a heart-warming welcome. After the Giants picked Dart at number 25 overall, two-time Super Bowl champion Eli Manning was the first one to welcome him to New York. Manning, who once started at Ole Miss himself, sent a video message that caught Dart off guard, but hit close to home.

“Jaxson, congratulations on being drafted by the New York Giants. Obviously, there’s a strong connection between Ole Miss quarterbacks and the Giants.” Manning isn’t exaggerating. The connection stretches back decades to Charlie Conerly, the Rebel great who led the Giants to an NFL championship in 1956 and remains a franchise legend. Manning carried that tradition through his 16 iconic seasons in New York, bringing home two Super Bowl titles and earning a spot in the team’s Ring of Honor. Manning said, “I’m excited that that tradition will continue with you.”  Now it’s Dart’s turn to continue the line.

For Dart, hearing from one of his childhood idols made an unforgettable night even more special. Dart joked about how crazy the last 24 hours have been, and the foundation for a mentor-mentee relationship is already blooming. With history on his side and a Giants legend in his ear, Dart’s NFL journey is off to a great start.