Brian Daboll refuses to let Jaxson Dart’s security blanket leave New York

The Dart-Humphrey connection is staying put.
 New York Giants wide receiver Lil'Jordan Humphrey
New York Giants wide receiver Lil'Jordan Humphrey | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The New York Giants have put all of the pieces in place to ensure Jaxson Dart’s is a success story. They’re not forcing him onto the field right away and he has two fantastic mentors in Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson. But most importantly, Big Blue is stopping at nothing to ensure that the 22-year-old has a safety net of weapons he trusts so he is prepared for his moment when the time comes.

And head coach Brian Daboll and GM Joe Schoen clearly noticed who those players are. The Giants already signed one of Dart’s favorite targets from the preseason, running back Dante “Turbo” Miller, to the practice squad on Wednesday afternoon.

Related: Preseason debut reveals pairing that could become Giants’ X-factor this season

But it doesn’t end there—the G-Men also signed veteran receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey to their practice squad after he was waived on Tuesday. Dart, a former Ole Miss star, flashed all preseason, and it all started with a 29-yard touchdown pass to the veteran receiver in the preseason opener against the Bills.

From that point on, it was easy to see why Daboll and Schoen felt they couldn’t let the 27-year-old slip away. Which is why ESPN's Adam Schefter reported he was staying.

Lil’Jordan Humphrey signing with the Giants’ practice squad is great news for Jaxson Dart

For the first-round rookie, this is fantastic news. Humphrey’s experience and 6-foot-4, 225-pound frame make the undrafted free agent out of Texas a natural security blanket for any QB. But for a rookie quarterback adjusting to the tenacity of the NFL, the comfort he provides is essential.

Humphrey spent the last two seasons in Denver, which reunited him with Sean Payton, where he caught four touchdowns in 15 starts. But the Texas native spent the previous four seasons with the New Orleans Saints, where he began his career in 2018.

His chemistry with Dart sparked instantly, and it’s why the No. 25 pick was one of the best-performing rookies of the entire preseason. And it was also that burgeoning chemistry that kept LJ in East Rutherford.

By building this web of familiarity around their quarterback of the future, the G-Men are playing the long game. Wilson may be the starter for now, but every move points to the franchise preparing for the moment their new sheriff takes over.

Dart will sport an explosive group of weapons headlined by bona fide superstar Malik Nabers, and youngsters WanDale Robinson, Jalin Hyatt, Tyrone Tracy Jr, and Theo Johnson while developing at his own pace.

This is not a headline-grabbing move by any means, but it’s a smart one. The Giants have a clear nucleus in place for when the All-SEC quarterback takes over, and ensuring a guy he trusts remains in the building is how a team quietly protects their quarterback’s long-term future, even if that player is merely a depth option.

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