The New York Giants cycled through four different quarterbacks during the 2024 season, which ended with a disappointing 3-14 record and the release of Daniel Jones, who had previously signed a four-year, $160 million deal. With just one playoff appearance in the last eight years, the Giants are clearly in need of a new franchise quarterback. According to Giants insider Connor Hughes of SNY, the top four picks in the upcoming NFL Draft appear set, and the Giants are unlikely to take a quarterback with their No. 3 overall pick.
“Ward – Hunter – Carter – Campbell to start. Then I think it gets weird with Jax,” Hughes said, referencing a possible draft order and responding to a question about whether Penn State linebacker Abdul Carter might be New York’s pick at No. 3. Hughes also dropped an intriguing nugget — the Giants could have serious interest in Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart.
“Jaxson Dart is a name to watch for the Giants as a trade-up option on Thursday,” Hughes reported on X. “Sources tell me Brian Daboll is very high on him — more than any QB not named Cam Ward. One thing Daboll looks for in a quarterback is toughness, and Dart definitely brings that.”
The Giants currently hold picks No. 34, No. 65, No. 99, and No. 105 within the top 110. Dart is projected to be taken at No. 21 by the Steelers, according to the NFL Mock Draft Database, meaning New York may need to trade up from No. 34 to secure him. Several other teams are also expected to target quarterbacks in the first two rounds, which could make things even more competitive.
“The Giants won’t be alone in chasing a quarterback. It just depends how aggressive they want to be,” Hughes noted.
Earlier speculation linking the Giants to Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders has apparently died down. “There’s not much connecting Shedeur Sanders to the Giants anymore. That buzz has faded a lot since December,” Hughes added.
Jaxson Dart, who spent his final three seasons at Ole Miss after starting his college career at USC, had a standout senior year in 2024. He led the SEC with 4,279 passing yards and a 69.3% completion rate, while also topping the nation with 10.8 yards per attempt and posting a 180.7 passer rating.