New York Giants fans got their first look at rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart in a professional game on Saturday. The early returns on New York’s investment are promising.
Dart made his pro debut in the Giants’ preseason clash with the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, about 3 1/2 months after the G-Men drafted him with the 25th overall pick. He was the second Giants quarterback of the day, taking over from starter Russell Wilson after New York’s first possession and playing until the end of the first half.
The rookie out of Mississippi finished his day 12 of 19 on pass attempts for 154 yards and a touchdown pass. The Giants scored on three of its four possessions with Dart in the game. In order, his drives ended: punt, touchdown, 50-yard field goal, 51-yard field goal.
Here’s how USA TODAY Sports grades Dart’s debut performance:
Jaxson Dart grades: Giants rookie QB shines vs. Bills
There was plenty to like about Dart’s performance in his first career game as a pro, even if it was just an exhibition clash in the preseason.
One of the biggest takeaways from the overall performance was Dart’s poise in the pocket, particularly when he was under pressure. The rookie’s first possession under center saw him evade pass-rushers and make a couple of nice throws, even if it ended with a punt.
There were other throws later on that showcased the same kind of pocket awareness. There was a nice slip-screen pass Dart made over the outstretched arms of a defender, executed with perfect touch to avoid getting swatted while still giving his running back the chance to make a play.
On a following possession, Dart showcased the other side of the spectrum of his arm talent and ball placement. After a false start and rush for no gain backed the Giants up to a second-and-15 play on their own 31, Dart made one of his best throws of the day to pick up a first down.
He took the snap, allowed himself time to read through his progressions, kept his eyes downfield while avoiding pressure from edge rushers on both sides, stepped up in the pocket and rocketed a pass to Montrell Washington. The throw was perfectly executed on Washington’s drag route, placed between a couple of linebackers reading his eyes and finding the open space in the zone coverage.
Dart’s best play of the day was easily his lone touchdown pass: a 28-yard beauty of a throw to Lil’Jordan Humphrey.
On a third-and-5 play on Dart’s second possession under center, the rookie took the shotgun snap, dropped back and floated a touch pass down the sideline that found Humphrey’s hands despite solid coverage from the defending cornerback. The throw was even more impressive given the incoming pressure Dart faced.
Running back Dante Miller didn’t help out up front when the Giants’ left guard missed his block, allowing a free rusher up the middle to get in Dart’s face as he wound up to make the throw. Regardless, the rookie kept his composure and delivered a perfect ball to Humphrey then took a direct hit after his release.
On top of the plays Dart made as a passer, he also gave Giants fans a glimpse of his playmaking ability with his legs, avoiding a couple of would-be tacklers as his pocket collapsed and scrambling up the middle for a 19-yard gain.
Dart’s debut wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows.
While his success under duress was notable and impressive, there were a few throws he missed in much easier circumstances.
A third down pass attempt on his first possession ended up out of reach for tight end Greg Dulcich despite the separation Dulcich had from his defender. A first down attempt to a wide open Humphrey on Dart’s penultimate drive sailed high and incomplete. A couple of plays later, the rookie underthrew a short pass that, while potentially catchable for Washington, ended in a failed third-down conversion attempt.
Dart’s final pass attempt of the day also fell incomplete when he took a split second too long to get the throw out on third down and placed the ball a hair too far inside on the ‘out’ route. Bills defensive back Te’Cory Couch was able to get his hand in and break up the throw, though the pass was still a catchable one for Washington.
There were also a couple of balls batted down at the line of scrimmage as well, one of which almost resulted in an interception.
Overall, Giants fans should be excited with what they saw from their rookie quarterback in his first game as a pro, even if it has the caveat of only being in a preseason exhibition game.
Grade: B