Create articles from any YouTube video or use our API to get YouTube transcriptions
Start for freeGiants' Quarterback Decision: Jackson Dart Over Shador Sanders
The New York Giants made a pivotal decision in the 2025 NFL Draft by selecting Jackson Dart as their future quarterback. This choice came after careful consideration and evaluation of potential candidates, including Shador Sanders.
The Path to Selecting Jackson Dart
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Giants settled on Jackson Dart after thorough meetings during draft week. A team source stated that Dart "had checked all the boxes" as an Old Miss prospect. This decision was not made lightly, as the Giants gave Shador Sanders ample opportunity to prove himself worthy of being their franchise quarterback.
However, it became apparent that Sanders was not the right fit for the organization. Reports suggest that Sanders did not hit it off with the Giants' coaches during the pre-draft process. Todd McShay, a respected draft analyst, revealed that Sanders failed a crucial test set by head coach Brian Daboll.
The Brian Daboll QB Test
The Giants' coaching staff implemented a clever evaluation method to assess quarterback candidates:
- They sent installation materials to prospects for preparation before their top 30 visit.
- Intentional mistakes were included in these materials.
- The test aimed to gauge a quarterback's attention to detail.
Unfortunately for Sanders, he failed to notice these deliberate errors during his visit with the Giants. This oversight led to a confrontation between Sanders and the coaching staff, effectively ending his chances of becoming the Giants' quarterback of the future.
Jackson Dart: The Complete Package
In contrast to Sanders, Jackson Dart impressed the Giants' organization on multiple levels. Coach Brian Daboll was particularly drawn to Dart's qualities both as a football player and as a person. The young quarterback excelled in several key areas:
- Arm strength
- Athletic ability
- Competitiveness
- Leadership skills
- Potential to be an organizational game-changer
The Giants' front office believes they have secured the second-best quarterback in the 2025 draft class with Dart. This conviction solidified their decision to trade up and select him in the first round.
Giants' Draft Day Trade Strategy
The New York Giants' front office, led by General Manager Joe Shane, executed a calculated approach to secure their desired quarterback prospect.
Trading Up for Jackson Dart
Knowing they needed to move up in the draft order to select Dart, the Giants engaged in negotiations with several teams. However, Shane made it clear that the team's 65th overall pick (the first selection of the third round) was off-limits in any trade discussions.
The Giants' strategy involved:
- Targeting teams picking in the 20s for a potential trade.
- Refusing to part with the valuable 65th pick.
- Banking on the Pittsburgh Steelers opting for a defensive player at pick 21.
Ultimately, the Giants found a willing trade partner in the Houston Texans, allowing them to move up to the 25th overall pick without sacrificing their prized 65th selection.
The Value of Pick 65
Joe Shane's insistence on retaining the 65th pick proved to be a wise decision. This selection is considered a premium pick, typically yielding a long-term starter for an NFL team. The Giants used this pick to select Toledo defensive lineman Darius Alexander, a player they believe will make an immediate impact.
Compensatory Pick Strategy
The Giants' ability to trade up for Dart was partly facilitated by their compensatory pick strategy. They utilized the 99th overall pick, which they received as compensation for losing Xavier McKinney in free agency to the Green Bay Packers. This additional draft capital allowed the Giants to move up without sacrificing more valuable picks.
Reinforcing the Defensive Line
The New York Giants' 2025 draft strategy extended beyond securing their quarterback of the future. A significant focus was placed on bolstering the defensive line, a move that harkens back to the team's historically successful identity.
Returning to Giants Football
The organization made a concerted effort to return to the style of play that has defined New York Giants football for generations. This approach emphasizes:
- Controlling the line of scrimmage
- Physical, hard-nosed defense
- A dominant defensive line
This philosophy has been instrumental in the Giants' past success, including their two most recent Super Bowl victories.
Key Defensive Line Additions
- Abdul Carter: First-round pick, expected to make an immediate impact.
- Darius Alexander: Selected with the coveted 65th pick, seen as an ascending talent.
A team source emphasized the importance of these selections, stating, "When you think of the New York Giants, you think of how they are built up front."
Projected Defensive Line Rotation
The Giants' defensive line is shaping up to be a formidable unit. The projected rotation includes:
- Dexter Lawrence
- Roy Robertson Harris
- Rake Munes Roaches
- Jeremiah Led better
- Darius Alexander
This group provides a mix of established veterans and promising young talent, giving the Giants depth and versatility along the defensive front.
Edge Rusher Group
Complementing the interior defensive line, the Giants have assembled an impressive group of edge rushers:
- Brian Burns
- Kayvon Thibodeaux
- Abdul Carter
- Jihad Ward
This combination of speed, power, and technique off the edge should create significant problems for opposing offensive lines.
Offensive Additions: Cam Scataboo's Versatility
While much of the draft focus was on defense and the quarterback position, the Giants also made a notable addition to their offense with the selection of running back Cam Scataboo in the fourth round.
Scataboo's Dual-Threat Potential
The Giants envision Scataboo as more than just a traditional running back. According to Jeremy Fowler's report, the team plans to utilize him extensively in the passing game. Scouts and coaches were particularly impressed with Scataboo's ability to track the ball in the air.
Receiving Skills
Scataboo's college tape showcases his versatility as a receiver:
- Soft hands for catching passes out of the backfield
- Ability to run option routes against linebackers
- Experience lining up as a wide receiver in certain formations
His receiving stats from college are impressive:
- 45 receptions
- 605 yards
- 13.4 yards per catch
- 3 touchdowns
Potential Three-Down Back
The combination of Scataboo's receiving skills, pass protection ability, and hard-nosed running style suggests he could develop into a three-down back for the Giants. This versatility may give him an edge over other backs on the roster, such as Tyrone Tracy, particularly in third-down situations.
Physical Running Style
Beyond his receiving capabilities, Scataboo is known for his physical running style. Nicknamed "Mr. Contact Balance," he rarely goes down on first contact and brings a level of toughness to the Giants' backfield that has been missing in recent years.
Late-Round Gem: Thomas Fedoni II
The Giants' scouting department may have uncovered a potential steal in tight end Thomas Fedoni II, selected in the later rounds of the draft.
Pre-Draft Evaluation
Giants tight ends coach Tim Kelly conducted a private workout with Fedoni before the draft and came away impressed. The team believes Fedoni has untapped potential that wasn't fully realized during his college career.
Athletic Profile
Fedoni's athletic measurables are impressive:
- Ranked in the 93rd percentile of all tight ends in pre-draft testing
- Excellent vertical and broad jump results
- Ran a 4.74 40-yard dash
- Good size for the position
College Career and Injuries
Fedoni's college production was hampered by injuries:
- Missed the 2021 season due to a torn ACL
- Re-tore the ACL in spring 2022
- Returned to play in 2023 and 2024 with respectable, but not eye-popping, numbers
Potential in the NFL
The Giants coaching staff believes Fedoni's skill set is well-suited for the modern NFL passing game. His combination of size, speed, and athleticism could make him a mismatch nightmare for defenses if he can stay healthy and develop his skills at the professional level.
Tight End Competition
Fedoni enters a crowded tight end room in New York:
- Theo Johnson: The Giants have high expectations for this young player.
- Chris Manhertz: Valued for his veteran presence and blocking ability.
- Daniel Bellinger: A balanced tight end, though perhaps not a favorite of the current regime.
- Greg Dulcich: Recently signed, with a connection to quarterback Russell Wilson.
Fedoni will need to impress in training camp and preseason to secure a roster spot, but his potential could make him a dark horse candidate to contribute significantly in the coming seasons.
Conclusion: A Draft Class with Potential
The New York Giants' 2025 draft class has generated excitement among fans and analysts alike. Key selections include:
- Jackson Dart: The quarterback of the future
- Abdul Carter: Potentially the best player in the entire draft
- Darius Alexander: A steal at pick 65
- Cam Scataboo: A versatile running back with receiving upside
- Marcus Bo: Graded as a second-round talent by many analysts
- Thomas Fedoni II: A high-upside tight end prospect
While it's too early to definitively judge this draft class, the Giants appear to have addressed key needs while also adding players with significant potential for growth. The true test will come when these rookies hit the field and begin their NFL careers in earnest.
As the 2025 season approaches, Giants fans have reason for optimism. The combination of strategic draft picks, free agent acquisitions, and returning talent sets the stage for what could be an exciting new era of New York Giants football.
Article created from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HRannTOyf4
