Six quarterbacks were selected in the first round of last year’s NFL draft, tying the record set in 1983. This year’s draft class, however, is considered much thinner at the quarterback position.
Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders stand as the consensus top quarterback prospects, with a significant talent gap following them.
NFL analyst Charles Davis released his first mock draft with a surprising projection: Sanders at No. 1, Ward at No. 2, and Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart going third overall to the New York Giants.
“The last time the Giants went all in on a QB from Ole Miss, it worked out pretty well,” Davis wrote. “I know people have not been projecting Dart to go this high, but New York has a screaming need at the position. After passing on Michael Penix Jr., J.J. McCarthy and Bo Nix in last year’s draft, the G-Men might not feel like they can sit back and wait this time around.”
The Giants desperately need a franchise quarterback after moving on from Daniel Jones during the 2024 season.
Davis suggests Dart may have impressed teams at the NFL Combine, particularly since neither Ward nor Sanders threw during the event.
Dart threw for 4,279 yards and 29 touchdowns while completing 69.3 percent of his passes in 2024. Scouts view him as solid in accuracy and pocket presence, but not elite in most categories.
Most draft analysts project Dart as a second or third-round selection, making his potential selection at No. 3 overall particularly unexpected.
The Giants could instead use their high draft pick to address another position need and pursue a quarterback through free agency instead.
