Developing Dart: Giants' Fate Hinges on One Trait

The process of trading back into Round 1 for a franchise quarterback is a good one, but opinions were split when the New York Giants took Mississippi quarterback Jaxson Dart.

Coming from Lane Kiffin’s offense, Dart had a sizable jump waiting for him in the NFL. Every offense was going to be a change of pace from the RPO-laden, play-action-heavy scheme he ran in the SEC.

Nevertheless, New York wouldn’t have taken Dart without believing in him, and head coach Brian Daboll is tasked with ensuring his development goes smoothly. The team has helped provide an encouraging environment for Dart, starting with two veteran quarterbacks.

In signing Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, general manager Joe Schoen made sure that the rookie wouldn’t start until he’s ready. He also gave him over two decades of experience to learn from.

The one trait key to the Giants developing Dart successfully is his aggressiveness, which he spoke about at minicamp.

“I'm an aggressive player as is, so I think that's definitely something that I have to continue to learn,” Dart told reporters on Wednesday. “I think this practice setting is a great time for me to do it. Then obviously you make mistakes, you do some really good things and you get to go back and watch the tape and pick up on the things that you need to improve on.”

Offseason workouts give Dart the opportunity to see what he can get away with against NFL defenses, testing new windows against elite athletes.

Dart has a gunslinger’s mentality, and at times flashes the arm talent to warrant it. But he was more prone to turnover-worthy plays without the benefits of play-action passes. He took more sacks and was less efficient, too.

He’ll have to maintain the aggressiveness that makes him dangerous without committing the turnovers that threaten New York’s offense.

“I think you kind of have to be, that's the only way that you're going to get better as a quarterback,” Dart said. “You can ask the best to ever do it, what was their biggest reason of how they're able to improve and develop. Making mistakes and being able to watch it, look back on it, and have a lot of humility in your mistakes. Being able to say I was wrong in this, or I was wrong in that and then being able to be proud of the good plays that you make as well.”

Dart’s intangibles made him a polarizing prospect, but those same traits are the easiest to misevaluate. If he can prove New York right and make good on his draft capital, that same aggressiveness is bound to create plenty of highlights.