Expectations for the New York Giants are higher this season with John Hargaugh taking over as the head coach and several huge upgrades to the roster.
One aspect many will be focusing on is the development of second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart, who has won over his teammates, coaches, and rivals as well as the fans.
Dart could be in for a big season in 2026. In fact, Gary Davenport of Football Guys has listed Dart as one of his 8 Players Set to Explode into Stardom in 2026:
For a time, it appeared that Dart was going to break out as a rookie—the former Ole Miss standout made 12 starts for the Giants as a rookie, and over a five-week span from Week 5 to Week 9, Dart was third in fantasy points among quarterbacks. Only Dart and Patrick Mahomes II have led their teams to game-opening touchdown drives in their first three starts. But Dart’s physical playing style raised concerns—counting the preseason, Dart was tested for a concussion four times.
Granted, the recovery of No. 1 wide receiver Malik Nabers from a torn ACL is cause for some concern with Wan’Dale Robinson gone, and Dart needs to learn that discretion is the better part of valor while running the ball. But Dart’s 487 rushing yards ranked third at the position a year ago, and if Nabers is close to 100 percent at the top of the season, Dart has a nice array of weapons at his disposal. He also has a favorable fantasy schedule for his position this season.
Of course, a lot will hinge on Dart staying healthy. The Giants don’t want him to curtail his ability to make plays with his legs, but at the same time, they want to keep him safe.
Dart’s teammates already see a huge jump in both his leadership abilities and his football acumen over last season.
“Jaxson has always had that moxie, that confidence, the way he plays,” said left tackle Andrew Thomas when asked about Dart’s confidence level. “But I will say I think he’s doing a better job of just communicating with everybody as far as what he sees, the way he wants us to block certain things or routes, different coverages and picking up pressures…I think he’s being more vocal with that.”
Free agent tight end Isaiah Likely, already a favorite target of Dart in the passing game, likes what he sees in his new quarterback.
“You guys see it every day. He’s swaggy,” Likely said during the Giants’ offseason workouts. “He always has a smile, and he’s always being competitive. I mean, whether he makes a play or misses a play, he’s going to give the next play everything he’s got and try to score every time he has the ball. I mean, whether he’s running the ball or throwing the ball or really telling everybody where to go, he’s really what you look for in a starting quarterback.”
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Giants’ Jaxson Dart named a ‘player set to explode into stardom’ in 2026
Reporting by John Fennelly, Giants Wire / Giants Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By John Fennelly, Giants Wire | USA TODAY Network
