Joe Schoen says the Giants didn’t just draft Jaxson Dart because of Brian Daboll and his staff. During an appearance on FanDuel TV’s Up & Adams on May 15, Schoen said the decision was a team effort, not driven by one person or group.
Debunking the “Coaching-Driven Pick” Narrative
A narrative had developed in NFL circles that while the front office loved Shedeur Sanders, a player they spent a lot of time on, the coaching staff pushed hard for Dart. This theory gained traction after the Giants released behind-the-scenes footage of draft night, where Schoen turned to Daboll and said, “You guys are sold on him. You believe in him.”
But Schoen was quick to squash that notion.
“It was an organizational decision,” Schoen said. “Any player we take is a collaborative process, and it’s very detailed, and we believe in it.”
He mentioned that Dart had been on the team’s radar since the fall and that he himself had attended Dart’s final college game in person. Schoen highlighted the alignment between the coaching staff and scouting department as a key factor in the decision.
“Three coaches on staff (Daboll, offensive coordinator Mike Kafka and quarterbacks coach Shea Tierney) that have been part of the development of two pretty good quarterbacks in the league right now (Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen) and when they are sold on a player and the scouting staff is sold on a player, typically you have the best chance for success in those situations,” Schoen said.
The Giants narrowed their focus on Dart just three days before the draft and eliminated outside noise. Meanwhile, Sanders, who some in the organization preferred, fell to the 5th round and was taken by the Browns.
Jaxson Dart: The Right Fit for the Giants?
Schoen said Dart wasn’t just “Daboll’s guy” but someone who has earned support across the organization. He likes the rookie quarterback’s potential and how his skill set fits the offense.
“We want to get off to a fast start,” Schoen said, referencing the Giants’ tough opening schedule. With the Commanders, Cowboys, Chiefs, and Chargers in the first four weeks, Dart will have to adjust quickly if he gets the job.
Schoen didn’t claim Dart as his personal favorite but reiterated his confidence in the process that led to his selection.
Other Takeaways from Schoen’s Appearance
Free Agent WR Gabe Davis in Play
Schoen said free agent wide receiver Gabe Davis recently had dinner with him after visiting the Giants’ facility. Davis, whom Schoen drafted to the Bills in 2020, is recovering from a season-ending knee injury and was just cut by the Jaguars.
“We’ll see what happens here,” Schoen said. “No announcements today.”
This would add depth to a receiving corps that didn’t make plays last year.
Toughest Schedule in the NFL
The Giants have the toughest schedule in the NFL based on 2024 opponents’ win percentages. Schoen doesn’t mind. “You want to get off to a fast start,” he said. “We did that in 2022 and haven’t in the last two years.”
When asked if he likes the schedule, Schoen said: “Can’t do anything about it.”
