Respected NFL analyst says New York Giants' Jaxson Dart needs a 'complete offense'

USA Today

4 days ago

The New York Giants believe they may have found their future at quarterback with the selection of Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart in the first round of this year's NFL Draft, but it still remains to be seen whether or not they're right.
Dart has been impressive thus far in practices and drills, and now must take the next step in becoming a viable NFL quarterback as the Giants prepare to open training camp later this month.
One expert, Greg Cosell of NFL Films, speaking on a Philadelphia Eagles podcast called Inside the Birds, believes that Dart can be successful but will need to be in the right environment.
"Dart's an interesting player. The mobility is a factor. You do have to factor that into the equation," Cosell said, as transcribed by Big Blue View. "Everybody always says, 'Well, he's not special.' Well, I don't know what they mean when they say that. There's only one Lamar Jackson. There's only one Josh Allen, who is 6-5, 240. There's only one [Patrick] Mahomes with his spatial awareness. So, you can't just start saying, 'Well, it's not special.'"
Cosell continued...
"He's going to run for first downs. He may not be the fastest guy on the field, but that's a part of his game that's meaningful," he said. "I think he's a good thrower. I don't think he's a great thrower. I thought that at times his deep throws lost a little energy on the back end. Sometimes he works hard to throw the ball.
"I think he needs, in some ways, what Russell Wilson needs. He needs a complete offense."
And that is perhaps the reason why the Giants also brought in Wilson this season to be their bridge starter. The Giants needed continuity on offense (among other things), and the styles of the two players will make it easier to transition when the time comes.
Dart is scheduled to be a spectator most of his rookie season as the Giants' coaching staff readies him for a starting role. Some believe that it could be sooner rather than later, while others think Wilson will play well enough to maintain his status as the starter.
Cosell is among the former in that school of thought, stating that this season is not about winning as much as it is about developing Dart.
The Giants have a plan for Dart, but early returns indicate that his learning curve may be flatter than first anticipated.
"He has done excellent. He's picking up the information," head coach Brian Daboll said at the team's minicamp in mid-June. "It's really good to have Russ and Jameis (Winston) and even Tommy (DeVito) because Tommy's been in the system for a few years here. And he's kind of the head statesman in terms of that, and all the adjustments that take place or the calls.
"He's fit right in with those guys. He's smart. He's aggressive with the football, which I like. And then the true test will be once we start, and there's live hitting and preseason games and things like that. But he's progressed since he's been here to where he is now. He's made good improvement."
The Giants still don't have a complete offense, and that may keep Dart on the bench this season, unless Wilson falters.