The Big Five: Jaxson Dart's aura and other reasons Giants rookie QB could soon be talk of New York

The New York Giants have been looking for a franchise quarterback since two-time Super Bowl champion Eli Manning retired in January 2020. Have they found the answer in another Ole Miss product?

After replacing benched Russell Wilson, Giants rookie QB Jaxson Dart led New York to a 21-18 Week 4 upset over the Los Angeles Chargers. He became the first rookie QB over the past 20 years to win his first career start against a team with a 3-0 or better record (via CBS).

It's just one game, but Dart's debut gave the Giants (1-3) something they haven't had after missing the playoffs for two straight seasons: hope. With that in mind, here are five reasons to buy into the 22-year-old QB. 

1. He has won over the locker room

Dart has something every successful starting QB needs: aura. 

"I think the confidence he carries himself with and just the swagger he has is contagious," Giants offensive tackle Jermaine Eluemunor told the media after the win against L.A. "The way he carries himself and the determination he plays with is huge. And you know, just wants to make me run through a brick wall."

Dart's confidence clearly gave the Giants a spark on their first drive against the Chargers. He engineered a nine-play, 89-yard drive and rushed for a 15-yard touchdown. According to Kevin Patra of NFL.com, the rookie became the first QB since Kansas City Chiefs superstar Patrick Mahomes to lead his team on an 80-plus-yard TD drive on the first possession of his first career start.

Dart's moxie could help the Giants get off to faster starts throughout the season, allowing them to continue punching above their weight. 

2. His debut was already better than that of other successful rookie QBs

Against the Chargers, Dart (pick No. 25) completed 13-of-20 passes (65%) for 111 yards and one TD. He also rushed for 54 yards and one TD on 10 carries. While his stats weren't mind-blowing, he looked more pro-ready than other successful rookie QBs in their debuts. 

Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud went 28-of-44 passing (63.6%) for 242 yards and took five sacks in a Week 1 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in 2023. The former Ohio State star went on to win the 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year. 

Denver Broncos QB Bo Nix went 26-of-42 passing (61.9%) for 138 yards and tossed two interceptions in a Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks during the 2024 season. He still finished third in 2024 OROY voting, behind Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers and Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels. 

That should leave the Giants feeling even more encouraged about Dart's debut. 

3. Giants are still hiding best part of his game

During his final season at Ole Miss, Dart became a moonballer. Per Pro Football Focus, he had 37 completions of 20-plus air yards, the second-best mark in the FBS among 150 eligible QBs. (Air yards are the distance the ball travels through the air from the line of scrimmage.) 

However, Dart averaged just 5.6 yards per pass attempt in the win over the Chargers. Giants head coach Brian Daboll probably didn't want to overload his rookie QB against L.A.'s fifth-ranked passing defense (158.8 YPG).

Expect Daboll to let Dart air it out more in Sunday's road game against the New Orleans Saints (0-4) at 1 p.m. ET (CBS). They rank 15th in the league in passing yards allowed (205.3). 

4. Rookie RB Cam Skattebo 

A dependable RB can be a rookie QB's best friend, and Skattebo (pick No. 105) looks up to the task. Through four games, the former Arizona State star has 279 yards (181 rushing and 98 receiving). He had a season-high 79 rushing yards on 25 carries against the Chargers.

"When you have a guy like that who just kinda brings the juice every single day and gives it his all, the guys around him want to play harder," Dart said of Skattebo in a postgame news conference.

Skattebo continuing to provide juice for New York's rushing attack will be even more imperative after star second-year wide receiver Malik Nabers suffered a season-ending ACL tear in his right knee in Week 4.

5. Elite pass-rush

Dart will have growing pains throughout the season, as all rookie QBs do. Luckily for him, he has a pass-rush that can keep opposing aerial attacks at bay.

Pro Football Reference credits the Giants with the fourth-most pressures (40) in the league. The unit features linebacker Brian Burns, who's tied for the league lead in sacks (five in four games). 

Chargers QB Justin Herbert struggled against the Giants in Week 4, posting a season-low 39.6 QBR, below the league average. Bank on New York rattling more elite QBs in its upcoming games.