Abdul Carter and Jaxson Dart, now the esteemed first-round picks for the New York Giants, reunited with wide grins and fraternal hugs as they were introduced to the team’s roster. This meeting was significantly more amicable– and decidedly less rigorous – than their previous encounter on the field.
In the heat of the Peach Bowl on December 30, 2023, Carter delivered a formidable blow to Dart, the Mississippi quarterback, driving him to the ground and leaving him with a temporary hobble post a missed pass. “I definitely got a good shot at him,” recounted Carter, a former Penn State defensive threat. “But he’s tough. He bounced back up and played the whole game. So, I knew right there he was a good player.”
Dart had the last laugh in that matchup, propelling Ole Miss to a 38-25 triumph, passing for an impressive 379 yards and three touchdowns. “Well, he beat us,” Carter acknowledged. “So if you beat Penn State in a big game like that, I know you’re the real deal, especially at quarterback.” The Giants are in alignment, appreciating both athletes’ caliber.
In a strategic move, the Giants selected Carter with the No. 3 overall pick on Thursday night, aiming to strengthen a sturdy pass rush that already features Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns. Later, general manager Joe Schoen ingeniously traded to acquire the No. 25 pick from Houston, claiming Dart. Although Carter is anticipated to make an immediate impact, Dart is projected to spend time learning with seasoned veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston currently leading. Both players are seen as pivotal, long-term pillars for the franchise. “I’m fired up about the two players that we were able to get (Thursday night),” expressed Schoen.
Dart vividly remembers that pivotal hit but is enthusiastic about joining forces with Carter on the field – this time as allies. “I actually told my family before this that I hope I get the chance to play with him because of his remarkable skills as a player,” Dart noted. “I’ve heard about his influence in setting a culture in the team, and I feel the exact same way. I’m excited to compete and team up with him.”
The stakes are high for Schoen and coach Brian Daboll this season. Following a disappointing 3-14 finish last year, co-owner John Mara demanded marked improvements, particularly addressing the quarterback situation. Schoen tackled the immediate issue by onboarding Wilson and Winston and further invested in the future with Dart’s selection.
Daboll, renowned for his prowess in developing quarterbacks, now has a promising rookie to mold within the Giants’ fold. “I think this guy has gotten better every year,” Daboll observed. “He’s a leader, intelligent, and has the traits we seek. … It’ll be a process, but he’s someone we’re eager to work with.”
In the third round, the Giants bolstered their defensive line by drafting Toledo tackle Darius Alexander. Standing at 6-foot-4, 305 pounds, Alexander’s draft stature surged post an outstanding Senior Bowl showing, where he seemed nearly unstoppable. “A lot of people underestimated my abilities,” Alexander said. “I used that week to show I could dominate and compete with the best, and I believe I did just that.”
Further strengthening their roster, the Giants selected Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo in the fourth round, introducing a powerhouse to their backfield trio, which includes the fleet-footed Tyrone Tracy and all-rounder Devin Singletary. Skattebo, at 5-foot-9 1/2 and 220 pounds, set a school record with 1,711 rushing yards last season and cemented 24 touchdowns, 21 accomplished on the ground, both Arizona State records.
Reflecting on his playing style, Skattebo shared, “It’s always been a very physical game for me,” tracing back to his youth days in Pop Warner, where his bulldozing skills came into play from the age of 6.
Concluding their draft picks, the Giants sought potential future reserves in the later rounds by picking Purdue offensive tackle Marcus Mbow in the fifth round, along with seventh-round selections of Nebraska tight end Thomas Fidone and Oklahoma State cornerback Korie Black.