Russell Wilson Ranking Could Foreshadow Dart's Debut

The New York Giants have their best quarterback room in recent memory. Whether it’s the best since Eli Manning’s last quality season or Daniel Jones’ best is yet to be seen, but signing Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston is an easy upgrade over 2024’s group, and first-round passer Jaxson Dart is waiting in the wings.

The Giants are set to have stability under center for the first time in head coach Brian Daboll’s tenure. That lends itself to higher expectations and the ability to evaluate both the coach and a supporting cast that has long been held back by New York’s ineptitude at quarterback.

However, not everybody is optimistic about the state of the offense. Wilson was ranked as the 27th-best quarterback by Pro Football Focus, perhaps foreshadowing when the Giants can turn to Dart.

“The clock is ticking on Wilson’s career,” John Kosko wrote. “Now 36, he no longer has the mobility that once defined his game, and that limits his ceiling. He still grades well and posted a 79.5 overall mark in 2024, but he struggles to generate the efficiency needed to sustain a high-level offense. With the Giants selecting Jaxson Dart in the first round, head coach Brian Daboll may not hesitate to turn to the rookie if Wilson can’t deliver wins early in the season.”

It’s clear Wilson doesn’t have much time left in the NFL. This is likely his last starting gig, and he seems more likely to retire on his terms than ride the bench on the way out. But last year showcased that Wilson can still be competent, and his moon balls are still flammable.

There’s every chance he, like Winston, catches fire and wins New York a few games it shouldn’t. He won six of his first seven starts on a Pittsburgh Steelers offense with less talent than the Giants have to offer. With such a tough schedule, though, it may be more likely that East Rutherford’s experiment goes south in a hurry.

Quickly, Winston could play an outsized role on the 2025 Giants. If Dart exceeds expectations and accelerates his development, New York could be aggressive in inserting him into the lineup. If not, Winston would be the buffer between a collapsing quarterback and the fragile growth of a fellow first-round quarterback.

Wilson is ranked between Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold and New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields.