Jaxson Dart is not a top-10 quarterback. At least, not yet.
He might get there eventually, but the New York Giants' sophomore signal-caller still has a pretty steep mountain to climb. Until he proves he can make that leap, Big Blue fans are stuck doing what they do best: crossing their fingers and hoping.
What "making the leap" actually means is inherently subjective. Just look at Jeremy Fowler's list of the top NFL quarterbacks for 2026. Trying to get a group of people to unanimously agree on a top-10 ranking is an impossible exercise. Still, by following the breadcrumbs of the fallout, you can get a clear sense of what Dart needs to do to force his name into the conversation.
The top five QBs on the list are essentially set in stone: Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Matthew Stafford, Joe Burrow, and Lamar Jackson. However, the next five all have holes in their claims, meaning a breakout sophomore campaign from the 23-year-old former Ole Miss star could easily earn him a mention on next year's list.
To crack that elite tier, Dart needs a target to chase. Look no further than Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb "Iceman" Williams, who currently occupies the 10th and final spot. His trajectory gives us a perfect blueprint for what the Giants' franchise quarterback must do to become one of the league's elite.
Jaxson Dart’s path to the top-10 starts with Caleb Williams
Williams turned an up-and-down rookie season into something truly special in Year 2. Last season, "Iceman" led Da Bears to an 11-6 record, throwing for 3,942 yards and 27 touchdowns while completing 58.1% of his passes. He also added 388 yards and three scores on the ground.
Compare that to Dart, who threw for 2,272 yards and 15 scores while completing a crisp 63.7% of his throws across 12 games last year. He also proved to be a major threat with his legs, adding 489 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. While Dart's per-game passing yardage and touchdown averages didn't quite keep pace with Williams, it is incredibly easy to see a world where a standard sophomore jump closes that gap.
And remember: the 23-year-old put up those numbers without the help of Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo for a large chunk of the year. Imagine how impressive Dart's rookie stats would have looked had his two most dynamic weapons been healthy and available all season long.
Fast-forward to this season, and the 2025 25th overall pick is in a much better position to showcase his natural arm talent. Leek will be back on the field at some point this year, while Skatt is expected to be fully ready to roll by Week 1.
But the optimism is about much more than just the return of two injured stars. The G-Men have completely overhauled their leadership. John Harbaugh is now running the show with Matt Nagy calling the plays, and Brian Callahan is in as the new quarterbacks coach. On paper, that is a massive coaching upgrade over the previous regime of Brian Daboll, Mike Kafka, and Chad Hall.
The improvements don't stop with the coaching staff, either. New York brought in Isaiah Likely to serve as a dangerous jumbo-slot weapon at tight end. They also signed veteran wideouts Darnell Mooney and Odell Beckham Jr. and drafted rookie receiver Malachi Fields.
Together, they heavily bolster a receiving corps that was previously forced to rely on players better suited for the practice squad.
Ultimately, the stage is perfectly set for Dart. Big Blue has replaced the excuses with elite coaching, a reinforced arsenal of weapons, and a bar to clear courtesy of Caleb Williams.
The tools that made Dart a first-round pick are all there. Now, it's simply a matter of turning that potential into production. If Dart can use this revamped situation to make his own sophomore leap, New York fans might finally stop crossing their fingers and start celebrating a top-10 quarterback.
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