Where does Giants QB Jaxson Dart rank in fantasy-football value?

Despite their 2-7 record, rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart has provided a much-needed spark for the New York Giants.

In Sunday's 34-24 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, Dart had 191 yards through the air with two scores on 24-of-33 passing, adding 56 yards and a score on the ground, equating to a 27.24-point fantasy performance. 

In his six starts, Dart has averaged 196 passing yards and about 1.5 touchdowns per game. On the ground, Dart has averaged eight attempts for 42 yards a game while also finding the end zone with his legs five times. 

A fantasy football QB1?

On the season, Dart has wiggled his way to the QB15 spot in ESPN Fantasy, averaging 16.8 PPR points a game. In only games where Dart has started, he is averaging 22.35 PPG, only trailing Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen and Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson. 

Dart has been a top-10 scoring QB in four of his 10 starts, including three games in the top five. 

Through six games, Dart has only three interceptions and a single fumble lost. His 1.7% interception percentage has him ranked 21st in the NFL.

His rushing volume has provided this high ceiling in fantasy football. His 251 rushing yards rank seventh among quarterbacks, and his five trips to the end zone have him tied with Jalen Hurts and Daniel Jones, trailing only Allen's seven scores. 

What does the remainder of the schedule hold?

One of the main worries for the Giants coming into the season was the difficulty level of their schedule. During the remainder of the season, the Giants face the entire NFC North, finish NFC East matchups with the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders and take on the New England Patriots and Las Vegas Raiders. 

The Giants may not be favored in any of those games, but they do provide positive matchups against opposing quarterbacks. 

Of their remaining games, only the Week 13 matchup versus New England features a top-10 team against QBs, as the Patriots only allow 15.5 PPG to opposing quarterbacks. 

Except for the Minnesota Vikings, who rank 14th, every other matchup for the Giants is against a team that ranks in the bottom 12 against opposing quarterbacks. 

Week 10

Coming up next week for the Giants is a matchup in Chicago against the 5-3 Bears. In Week 9, the Bears allowed Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Flacco to throw for a career-high 470 passing yards and four touchdowns. 

In terms of athleticism and pure passing, Dart and Flacco could not be more different. Even in his heyday, Flacco was never the mobile athlete that Dart is, and it's too early to tell if Dart can be the passer Flacco has been. 

The Bears are tied for the second-most passing touchdowns allowed (20), trailing on the Bengals, but have grabbed a league-high 13 interceptions. 

Against Chicago, Dart should be in line for another big game. The factors that'll determine that outcome: Can Dart continue to protect the ball and continue to improve with his arm? 

If Dart can protect the ball and continue to make big plays, then he will have another top-five fantasy performance under his belt. The Giants still may not win, but they have the potential for a close, entertaining game with the Bears.