Chris Simms' Rookie Revelation: Could Jaxson Dart Reshape the Giants' Future?
The Spark Behind the Speculation
NFL analyst Chris Simms has football fans buzzing with his bold forecast: Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart might beat out veteran Russell Wilson for the New York Giants' starting job by 2025's season opener. This prediction comes after Dart turned heads at Rookie Minicamp, showing off pro-ready skills that have coaches reevaluating their depth chart.
Dart's College Dominance Meets NFL Potential
The Giants' first-round pick (25th overall in 2025) brings more than just hype from Ole Miss. Dart shattered school records with 4,279 passing yards and 29 touchdowns last season, earning him First Team All-SEC honors. His college film reveals three key strengths:
- Pinpoint accuracy (69.3% completion rate)
- Elite deep-ball touch
- Coolness under pressure
Pro Football Focus gave him a 94.3 clean pocket grade - second-best among college QBs - though scouts want to see faster decision-making when plays break down.
Wilson's Uncertain Ground
While Russell Wilson remains the presumed starter, his 2024 season with Pittsburgh showed flashes of brilliance mixed with frustrating inconsistencies. The 35-year-old threw 26 touchdowns but struggled in critical moments. Giants coach Brian Daboll's praise of Dart's preparation ("He's putting in the extra hours") suggests an open competition might develop.
Why Simms' Prediction Makes Sense
Three factors support the rookie takeover theory:
- Dart's combine performance (58 mph throws, surgical route accuracy)
- Daboll's history of playing rookies (see: Josh Allen in Buffalo)
- Wilson's $28M cap hit in 2025 - manageable if he becomes expendable
Giants' Quarterback Chess Match
New York's QB room tells the story of a franchise in transition. After moving on from Daniel Jones, the Giants signed Wilson and Jameis Winston to bridge contracts while developing Dart. GM Joe Schoen initially called 2025 a "learning year" for the rookie, but that plan might be accelerating.
System Synergy
Dart's skills align perfectly with Daboll's offensive philosophy:
- Play-action mastery (Dart completed 73% off PA at Ole Miss)
- Deep threat capability (18 completions of 40+ yards in 2024)
- RPO versatility (495 rushing yards last season)
The Final Calculation
With Wilson's leadership value against Dart's upside potential, the Giants face their most consequential QB decision since drafting Eli Manning. Dart's Star-Predictor Score of 100 - topping Mahomes' 96.2 and Jackson's 99.2 - adds fuel to the hype. As OTAs approach, one thing's clear: The Giants' quarterback battle just became must-watch football.
