Giants Make Bold Moves in NFL Draft

The Giants made a significant impact during the first round of the NFL draft on Thursday, potentially marking a pivotal moment for the franchise.

As anticipated, they selected Abdul Carter, an edge rusher, with the No. 3 pick. Additionally, they managed to trade back into the round to acquire quarterback Jaxson Dart, who is now being viewed as their quarterback of the future.

This could be a strategic victory for general manager Joe Schoen, who had yet to select a quarterback in his previous three drafts. While he was keen to secure a quarterback this year, he felt that selecting one at the No. 3 position did not offer suitable value.

In order to acquire Dart, the Giants traded their second-round pick (No. 34), one of their third-round picks (No. 99) in this year’s draft, and a third-round pick for the following year to the Texans for the No. 25 pick. Importantly, Schoen avoided giving up pick No. 65, the first pick in the third round.

“I’m glad we were able to get a guy we’re convicted on that we like,” a relieved Schoen stated. “It was pretty stressful up there the last 15, 20 minutes.” This situation seems to be the best outcome for the Giants.

Dart, who broke Eli Manning’s passing records at Ole Miss, possesses the charismatic leadership qualities that head coach Brian Daboll desires in a quarterback. Although it’s expected that Dart will need time to adjust to the NFL, he has the luxury of learning behind veterans Russell Wilson (the starter) and Jameis Winston (the backup), which should allow him to be ready to take over by 2026.

“He’s in a really good spot where he can come in and sit behind a couple of veterans and learn,” Schoen noted. “This is a perfect situation for a young quarterback from a developmental standpoint.” Daboll confirmed that Wilson would be the starting quarterback and expressed excitement about developing Dart into a future star.

With determination evident, Schoen even attempted to trade up to the No. 1 spot with the Titans to draft Cam Ward, but was unsuccessful in his efforts. As Dart waited through the draft, he expressed optimism about joining the Giants, saying, “This is the place I wanted to be.” Feeling confident about his fit in New York, he remarked, “I just feel like I got an edge to me.”