The more training camp reps New York Giants rookie Jaxson Dart stacks, the more impressive he looks. And the more impressive he looks, the more head coach Brian Daboll’s firm stance on starting Russell Wilson over him starts to look... questionable.
Russ was brought in on a one-year deal to be a placeholder for eventual starter Dart, but what if the 22-year-old is already ready to be thrown to the wolves? Yes, six years ago, the G-Men pulled the trigger too soon on the Daniel Jones experience, and that failed spectacularly. But this time feels different.
Related: Brian Daboll just hinted Jaxson Dart might be way ahead of schedule
Dart’s been solid all camp. He’s finding his receivers, acing Daboll-schemed tests, and looking more comfortable in the pocket with each passing day. It’s been an encouraging run overall, but nothing he’s done up to this point matches the production or the show he put on Friday. Wowzers.
Keep Jaxson Dart away from your plans — he might just throw a wrench in them
Even when Dart was selected with the 25th pick, Dabs made it clear immediately after that Wilson was going to be the starter. He got way ahead of any speculation suggesting otherwise.
And as Dart has kept stacking good days, he’s stuck to the same script, shutting down any rookie starter noise. Might be time to revisit that.
On Friday, Dart was on fire. It looked like his own personal highlight reel. Not even Abdul Carter’s ridiculous one-man show could overshadow what the rookie QB put on tape.
In no particular order, Dart's first impressive throw came on a crossing route to undrafted rookie Dalen Cambre, dropping it right in the bucket as he was hitting the sideline. Not to be outdone, Montrell Washington was on the receiving end of another... dart. The 26-year-old went deep. Dart had eyes on him immediately, throwing the perfect pass right into his bread basket, beating the outstretched corner, and sliding to make the play.
Don't get the wrong, the throws are nice. He's been showing real strides in his decision-making, and the game really seems to be slowing down for him. But it's this final highlight of the legs that is absolute gas. Dart's arm is great, but that's not the only reason they drafted him. He's also got the burners, and him taking this keeper right through the teeth of the defense for six is otherworldly electric.
Is one camp practice enough to shake Daboll’s decision? Probably not. Russ has had a great camp in his own right. The connection with Malik Nabers has been electric, and he’s even breathed life back into Jalin Hyatt. There’s no real reason to question the process... yet.
But if Dart keeps stacking days like this, he’s going to force the issue. He might already be done with camp, now it’s on the preseason to show if this is real. And if Friday is any indication, Daboll might not be as locked in as he once thought.