Giants minicamp takeaways: Jaxson Dart is already standing out from the crowd

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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Quarterback Jaxson Dart started his New York Giants rookie minicamp news conference Friday by doing things a little differently: He asked the reporters to introduce themselves before their questions.

Dart wants to start getting to know the people who will help shape the coverage of his career, but he himself needs no introduction. He’s the quarterback the Giants traded back into the first round to get in hopes he’ll become the next face of their franchise.

And though it’s still early, that process is off to a nice start.

Dart finished his first day of rookie minicamp 8-for-10 passing during seven-on-seven drills, with the only two incompletions looking like drops by his receivers. Dart put plenty of zip on his passes, and he even navigated a couple of tight windows. Again, it’s early, but he fared well considering he was the only rookie participating in those seven-on-seven drills.

Completing passes is obviously important, but the big emphasis for Dart is on learning the Giants’ hefty playbook and using a cadence rather than clapping, as he did at Ole Miss. Dart’s former method went viral in a clip talking about it with former NFL coach Jon Gruden.

“This is the first time he’ll be out there doing our stuff,” Giants coach Brian Daboll said. “There’s a reason to try to get him in there and get adjusted to hearing the play call from the walkie-talkie … calling the play, not just running no huddle, (but) using the cadence.

“You say a couple of words, voice inflection, you continue to learn from that, but I wouldn’t say it’s rocket science to learn a cadence.”

Dart has already been practicing for this part of his transition into the league.

“I’ve always kind of practiced it on my own, kind of just messing around with buddies and whatnot,” Dart said. “I think you have so many opportunities and advantages with the cadence. And you can do so many different things that can take advantage of the defense.”

Whether Dart will find himself in a position to take advantage of opposing defenses this season remains to be seen. The expectation is that longtime NFL veteran Russell Wilson will serve as the Giants’ starter.

Dart has never not been the QB1, so being a backup will be an adjustment for him. However, he already seems to be trying to take on a leadership role within the team. He said he has tried to speak to as many players on the offensive side of the ball as he could to get people on the same page before camp.

Fourth-round pick Cam Skattebo has noticed Dart’s intangibles early, calling him one of the “smartest” players he’s been around.

“The head coach asks a question, and (he) knows the answer like that,” the rookie running back said. “(He’s) into (his) books, and (he’s) very smart. (You can tell) just talking to him about football and certain routes and play calls and just hearing him hear a call once and being able to call it multiple times back-to-back.”

Aside from introductions, there was also humor in Dart’s presser. The rookie revealed the necklace he was wearing at the podium was courtesy of his sister. He took it from her room before Ole Miss’ TaxSlayer Gator Bowl game victory, and it’s been a good luck charm for him ever since.

Don’t worry. Dart said his younger sister was OK with his theft, and she got a replacement.

Finally, though Dart was wearing a No. 6 jersey at camp, he’s not sure if he’s going to stick with the number.

“I kind of have to just look at the pictures to see if I like myself in 6,” Dart said.

So, don’t go buying those No. 6 Dart jerseys yet, Giants fans.

Brian Daboll greets QB Jaxson Dart as rookie minicamp kicks off pic.twitter.com/EOzgBiC4nK

— Charlotte Carroll (@charlottecrrll) May 9, 2025

The number is in?

Though Dart’s jersey number is to be determined, we finally might have gotten more clarity on the future jersey number of Abdul Carter, the Giants’ No. 3 pick.

The linebacker has had an interesting start to his NFL career in this regard, with both of the numbers he was hoping to wear already having been retired by the Giants. Carter initially made headlines with his request to wear Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor’s No. 56 denied. He then switched his gaze to No. 11, the number he wore at Penn State, and also the number worn by Super Bowl-winning QB Phil Simms. Though Simms was open to letting Carter wear it, his family nixed the idea.

That left Carter with No. 51 for minicamp, which he said is what the team had available. When it comes to the regular season, Carter said the number is “pretty much set.”

“I feel like it’s going to have to grow on me a little bit, but it’s feeling good right now,” he said. “I’m just happy to be out here playing football. That’s all I’m worried about.”

Carter looked happy in his first Giants practice, dancing a bit to music between drills and looking like the versatile player he grew into at Penn State, where he moved from off-ball linebacker to edge this past season. At Friday’s practice, he moved around a bit but said he’s mostly in the outside linebackers’ meeting room for now.

In a video released by the team documenting Carter’s top-30 visit, outside linebackers coach Charlie Bullen asked if Carter was OK with learning all five spots. In the clip, Carter said, “You can add more if you want.”

Friday, Carter was asked if he meant all 11 defensive spots.

“I don’t know about all 11,” Carter said, laughing. “I mean, just what everybody’s doing on every play. I was talking to Coach: Line me up at fullback, tight end, and I can block and catch. Wherever they need me, I’m going to line up.

Other notes

• As noted, no other NFL Draft picks partook in seven-on-seven drills, with Daboll not wanting to overextend players after the pre-draft process.

• Giants legend and Hall of Famer Michael Strahan attended practice and broke down the huddle after its conclusion. “He’s a legend,” Dart said. “You see him on the walls. I’ve seen him on TV for a long time, and he’s bigger in person.”

• With the Giants back practicing, the play caller watch is on. Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka was in control of the walkie-talkie, calling plays into Dart. Kafka initially called plays for the Giants when the current regime arrived in 2022, but Daboll took over officially last year after a dismal 2023 season finish.

It didn’t help. The Giants ​finished last season with the 31st-ranked scoring offense, and that showing prompted comments from co-owner John Mara on who should be calling plays. Daboll said at March’s annual league meetings that he wouldn’t have an answer on who’d call plays until the team heads into preseason.

• Fifth-round offensive lineman Marcus Mbow lined up at right tackle during an install period. Daboll had previously said the team planned to start the position-versatile Mbow at tackle, so this move makes sense. The rookie will likely have a chance to serve as Jermaine Eluemunor’s top backup.

(Photo: Adam Hunger / Getty Images)

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