Giants Trade Up to Select Ole Miss Quarterback in NFL Draft

NEW YORK, NY — The New York Giants made a bold move in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft by trading with the Houston Texans to select Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart at the No. 25 position on Thursday night.

In exchange for Dart, the Giants sent their 2025 second-round pick (34th overall), a third-round pick (99th overall), and a third-round pick in 2026 to Houston. Dart is the second quarterback selected in the draft following Tennessee Titans‘ pick of Cam Ward.

At just 21 years old, Dart brings significant potential to the Giants. Head coach Brian Daboll expressed enthusiasm about Dart’s skill set, stating, “I like the way he plays. I like his competitive fire and his accuracy. He has the attributes we were looking for, and I’m excited to work with him.”

Dart, a three-year starter at Ole Miss after transferring from USC, leaves behind a legacy, holding the school record for career passing yards with 10,617, surpassing Eli Manning‘s previous mark of 10,119. Last season, he achieved a record 4,279 passing yards and completed nearly 70% of his throws, earning first-team All-SEC honors.

In the Ole Miss offense under Lane Kiffin, Dart showcased quick decision-making and impressive arm strength, leading all FBS players in yards per attempt and completions of over 10 yards in 2024. While he may not have the most powerful arm, his ability to execute plays with precision was evident.

Dart’s transition to the NFL may require patience, as scouts express concerns about his progression-time in a more complex NFL system compared to the simpler schemes in college. Daboll, mentioning the Giants’ veteran presence in the quarterback room, indicated that Dart will have time to learn behind Russell Wilson, who was signed in the offseason, saying, “Russ will be our starter. We’re going to do everything we can to develop Dart.”

This draft strategy positions the Giants well for the future, combining immediate talent with a long-term vision of nurturing Dart into their franchise quarterback. Daboll emphasized the development process, stating, “We have good quarterbacks in our room relative to playtime and experience, and we look forward to getting Dart in and teaching him how we do things.”

As the Giants continue to build their roster post-draft, they hope Dart will become a cornerstone for their offense in the years to come.