Jaxson Dart Tops PFF List of Best Rookie QB Landing Spots: ‘The Giants Got It Right’
OXFORD, Miss. — If you didn’t already believe Jaxson Dart landed in the right spot in the NFL, you might want to check with the folks in New York—or Pro Football Focus.
In a recent feature ranking the best situations for rookie quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft, PFF’s Dalton Wasserman put Jaxson Dart and the New York Giants at the very top of the list. That’s right—the top landing spot for any rookie signal-caller this year belongs to a former Ole Miss Rebel.
- Jaxson Dart, New York Giants
- Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints
- Cam Ward, Tennessee Titans
- Dillon Gabriel/Shedeur Sanders, Cleveland Browns
- Jalen Milroe, Seattle Seahawks
- Will Howard, Pittsburgh Steelers
- Riley Leonard, Indianapolis Colts
- Kyle McCord, Philadelphia Eagles
- Quinn Ewers, Miami Dolphins
- Kurtis Rourke, San Francisco 49ers
- Cam Miller, Las Vegas Raiders
- Graham Mertz, Houston Texans
From The ‘Sip to The City
We saw the excitement first-hand during the Giants’ behind-the-scenes series Giants Life, where coaches, execs, and scouts couldn’t contain their enthusiasm about Dart’s selection. Now, the national media is echoing that sentiment.
“Considering the adjustment he’ll have to make transitioning from the offense he ran at Ole Miss to a pro-style system, Jaxson Dart landed in a pretty good spot in New York,” wrote Wasserman.
“Giants head coach Brian Daboll did a spectacular job developing Josh Allen over multiple seasons, and the Giants signed two veteran quarterbacks — Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston — to ease the pressure on Dart to start right away.”
Translation? Dart doesn’t have to be rushed. He’ll be developed the right way—something Rebels fans know he’ll take full advantage of.
A Record-Setting Rebel
Dart heads to the NFL coming off the best season of his college career. In 2024, he led Ole Miss to a 10-win season while completing nearly 70% of his passes for 4,279 yards, 29 touchdowns, and only six interceptions. That performance earned him first-team All-SEC honors, a Gator Bowl victory, and the Conerly Trophy.
He leaves Oxford as the most prolific passer in school history, rewriting the record books with 10,617 passing yards—eclipsing the legendary Eli Manning. Add in nearly 1,500 rushing yards and 12 rushing TDs, and you’ve got a complete quarterback who defined toughness and leadership.
His 28 wins as the Rebels’ starter? Most ever.
Built to Thrive
Pro Football Focus emphasized that while pure talent is crucial, what often defines early success for rookie quarterbacks is fit—coaching, supporting cast, and opportunity. Dart checks all the boxes.
- Head Coach Brian Daboll, a quarterback whisperer known for molding Josh Allen
- Veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, giving Dart time to learn
- A franchise ready to build around him
As Wasserman put it, “Dart may have led the FBS in passing grade in 2024, but he won’t have to rush into game action before he’s ready.”
That’s a luxury few rookies get. And it’s one Dart has earned.
Back in Oxford, we already know what the Giants are about to discover: Jaxson Dart isn’t just a quarterback—he’s a game-changer.
The path from Vaught-Hemingway to MetLife Stadium may be long, but Dart’s journey is just beginning. And with the Giants betting big on the former Rebel, don’t be surprised if he’s making headlines on Sundays sooner rather than later.
Evelyn Van Pelt
Evelyn has covered sports for over two decades, beginning her journalism career as a sports writer for a newspaper in Austin, Texas. She attended Texas A&M and majored in English. Evelyn's love for Ole Miss began when her daughter Katie attended the university on a volleyball scholarship. Evelyn created the Rebel Walk in 2013 and has served as publisher and managing editor since its inception. Email Evie at: Evie@TheRebelWalk.com
