The Giants began addressing their needs under center this offseason by signing both Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston. Later this month, they’ll have the opportunity to add to the quarterback room again with the No. 3 overall pick.
But Giants general manager Joe Schoen said on Monday that he’s not going to force a quarterback pick at the top of this year’s draft. That means New York could select the likes of cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter (Colorado) or edge rusher Abdul Carter (Penn State) if they’re still available.
According to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, if the Giants choose not to select a QB at No. 3, they could trade into the back end of the first round or wait for Day 2. “The Giants have been doing a lot of work on Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart in recent weeks,” Raanan reports.
The Giants hold the second pick of the second round, No. 34 overall. But with Darts’ draft stock rising, he probably wouldn’t be available there. In this weak QB draft class, some analysts consider Dart to be the third best option at the position. The Giants would likely need to trade up into the back end of the first round to get him.
In his senior season at Ole Miss, Dart threw for 4,279 yards, 29 touchdowns and six interceptions while adding 495 rushing yards and three more touchdowns on the ground.
Here’s Dart’s NFL.com scouting report:
Three-year SEC starter who saw improvement in play and production season after season. Dart has a stocky build and average physical attributes but good makeup and intangibles. He’s fairly accurate and rarely overcomplicates things for himself. He won’t strike anyone as a running quarterback, but he can find tough yards on the ground. He can make full-field reads but looks more comfortable grazing from the trough of the simple.
