Jaxson Dart made his debut in The Athletic’s annual NFL quarterback tiers survey, ranking 24th overall among 35 veteran passers evaluated by a panel of 50 coaches and executives. The New York Giants quarterback drew mostly Tier 3 and Tier 4 votes after a rookie season marked by both promise and physical risk.
Dart led qualifying quarterbacks in the percentage of plays that involved designed rushes, scrambles, sacks or hits, finishing at 33.7 percent. He was evaluated for a concussion four times in his first nine starts and once in the preseason, yet continued playing with the same aggressive approach.
One general manager offered measured optimism mixed with clear concern.
“I’m going to give Jaxson a nudge and give him a 3, arrow up,” the GM said. “But he is not going to change his style of play, so that is where I’m like, ‘I don’t know if this guy is going to last.’”
A defensive coordinator saw the upside.
“I do like Dart,” he said. “He can throw it. He’s athletic, and he has a little moxie about him. I like that (expletive).”
Another defensive coach summarized the split view of Dart’s game: “It’s more athleticism, playmaking ability, splash plays than consistency.”
Defensive coaches rated him higher than offensive coaches overall, a reflection of the traits that produce big plays but also invite hits.
Dart ranked first among the five quarterbacks making their first appearance in the survey. The results highlight both the tools that made him intriguing as a prospect and the questions surrounding how long that style can hold up at the NFL level.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: NFL GM on Giants’ Jaxson Dart: ‘Don’t know if this guy is going to last’
Reporting by Dan Benton, Giants Wire / Giants Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Dan Benton, Giants Wire | USA TODAY Network
