There is some level of optimism heading into next season for the New York Giants.
While the franchise-altering hire of John Harbaugh is undoubtedly the leading factor in that level of optimism, the Giants also have a couple of young studs on their hands in Jaxson Dart and Abdul Carter, who showed what they're capable of during their rookie seasons.
Dart passed for 2,272 yards with 15 passing touchdowns and nine rushing scores to just five interceptions in 12 games started. Even though Carter's rookie campaign was off to a slow and disappointing start, the former third overall pick finished his season with four sacks, 3.5 of them coming in the last five games of the season. Dart and Carter's impressive rookie seasons were certainly put on notice after the NFL announced the finalists for league awards.
Jaxson Dart and Abdul Carter named finalists for Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year Awards
The NFL announced its league awards for the 2025 season, with Dart a finalist for the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year and Carter a finalist for the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. The other finalists alongside Dart were wide receiver Emeka Egbuka of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, running back Trevyon Henderson of the New England Patriots, wide receiver Tetairoa McMillian of the Carolina Panthers, and quarterback Tyler Shough of the New Orleans Saints.
Related: Where Jaxson Dart and Abdul Carter rank among the best Giants rookies since 2000
On the defensive side, along with Carter, the other finalists consisted of safety Nick Emmanwori of the Seattle Seahawks, linebacker James Perace JR., safety Xavier Watts of the Atlanta Falcons, and linebacker Carson Schwesinger of the Cleveland Browns.
It goes without saying that the Giants have two potential two-stars on their hands, a potential long-awaited franchise quarterback and an edge rusher who finally showed what he's capable of during the latter half of the regular season. We will now wait to see if Jaxson Dart and Abdul Carter's solid rookie seasons earn them the OROY and DROY awards at the NFL Honors, which airs on February 5 on NBC and is hosted by Jon Hamm.