We’ve reached the point of Jaxson Dart’s development where the rookie must counter what defenses are countering with — and do so with limited resources.
The Giants were flying high against the Eagles three weeks ago as Dart and running back Cam Skattebo combined for 351 yards (156 rushing) and five touchdowns. But now Skattebo is out for the season following ankle surgery, and defenses are zeroing in on Dart’s scrambling lanes.
After totaling 167 rushing yards (excluding kneel-downs) in his first three starts, Dart has rushed for only 28 in his last two starts against the Broncos and the Eagles rematch.
“It’s very team specific. Some teams rush more guys than others on an early down versus third-down situation,” Dart said this week when asked how he will counter that defensive approach. “I’m not really thinking too much about the rush. That stuff’s more read and react to me. I try to never have my eyes down, seeing what’s coming at me and around me, and I’m just trying to keep my eyes down the field.”
Dart has excelled at “making something out of nothing,” as right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor perfectly stated after that first Eagles game. But that task will only become harder as teams have more film to study. And Dart needs more help around him to be able to pick defenses apart from the pocket.
It was one thing to improvise when star receiver Malik Nabers went down with a torn ACL against the Chargers and Dart was still relatively unknown in the NFL. With Skattebo’s tough running and red-zone play-making now out of the equation as well, the odds are becoming stacked against Dart.
There are still nine games left, beginning with Sunday’s home game against the Niners, so it’s time for Giants GM Joe Schoen to acquire a wide receiver with the NFL trade deadline looming Tuesday.
The Dolphins’ Jaylen Waddle and Saints’ Chris Olave reportedly aren’t available, but Schoen needs to check in with those teams and be aggressive. Others such as the Titans’ Calvin Ridley and the Browns’ Jerry Jeudy would be good options as well since they are signed through 2027 and experienced Brian Daboll’s offense in college at Alabama.
While it’s never ideal for a rebuilding team to give up draft capital, what choice do the Giants have? They have the worst collection of play-makers in the NFL surrounding their promising young quarterback. Draft picks are only lottery tickets in the hopes that they turn into something resembling the aforementioned players, and this year’s free agency class is weak.
Sure, you need to be able to hit on draft picks in order to effective build a cost-controlled roster under the salary cap. But it also makes sense to sometimes swing a trade for a veteran who can help you now and in the future.
Daboll was tight-lipped this week as you’d expect when it comes to potential trades, stating that he has open dialogue with Schoen but is focused on the Giants’ current players. Yet he certainly shut down the notion that it would be difficult to acclimate a new wide receiver in the middle of the season.
“I remember back when I was a receiver coach, and you get a new receiver on a Wednesday and they’re playing on Sunday,” Daboll said. “Guys that have played in this league, might be different systems, usually know how to study and pick up things … when you’re a position coach and you’re dealing with guys, you’ve got to make sure they’re ready in a few days. So I’ve done that. I’m sure most coaches have done that plenty of times.”
It would be in the 2-6 Giants’ best interest to have a player do that next Wednesday before this season goes off the rails.
Consider that after Wan’Dale Robinson, who ranks 15th in the NFL with 494 receiving yards, the Giants’ next most productive healthy receiver has been tight end Theo Johnson, who ranks 90th with 212 yards.
Seventh-year veteran Darius Slayton has only 192 yards with no touchdowns in six games and one touchdown in the last calendar year.
Beyond that? You’ve got Jalin Hyatt, a bust of a third-rounder who was inactive against the Eagles last Sunday and has just 11 catches for 79 yards in 21 games since last season. The practice squad has Lil’Jordan Humphrey and Ray-Ray McCloud, who have a combined 224 catches in 159 NFL games.
“We’ve been a little banged up at some skill position spots with Malik and then Slayton missing time and whatnot, and obviously with Skatt,” Dart said. “But we’re just trying to work, guys are going to be able to step up, and that’s just part of the NFL. Every team is going to have injuries and whatnot, and you’ve got to be able to weather the storms of those.”
It was a diplomatic thing for Dart to say, but sorry: This is not a viable environment for any quarterback, and the Giants can’t simply keep trying to scheme around it with two-tight end sets.
Schoen must be active at the trade deadline.
Greg Johnson covers the New York Giants and NFL for MediaNews Group. Reach him at gjohnson@trentonian.com.
Giants Gameday
The Game: Niners (5-3) at Giants (2-6), MetLife Stadium, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
The Line: San Francisco by 2.5
History: The Niners lead the all-time series, 22-21, and have won two straight in blowout fashion. The Giants haven’t won a matchup since 2018 in San Francisco. Their last win at home came in 2015.
Key Matchups:
Giants offensive line vs. Niners defensive line: The Giants should be able to control the line of scrimmage relatively well because the Niners’ two best edge rushers (Nick Bosa and Bryce Huff) are out with injuries. San Francisco has a middle-of-pack run defense (13th in yards allowed per carry and 15th in rushing yards allowed per game).
Giants WR Ray-Ray McCloud vs. Niners secondary: McCloud, whom the Falcons released on Oct. 21, is expected to be elevated from the Giants’ practice squad for his team debut. He had a career season for Atlanta last year with 686 receiving yards, but he’s played for six teams in eight years. San Francisco is tied for 20th in yards allowed per pass attempt and ranks 22nd in passing yards allowed per game.
Giants defense vs. Niners RB Christian McCaffrey: Despite featuring one of the most talented running backs, San Francisco actually ranks last in the NFL in yards per carry (3.4). Still, McCaffrey is extremely versatile because in addition to his 490 rushing yards he is eighth in the league with 559 receiving yards, along with six total TDs. The Giants’ reeling defense ranks 27th in points allowed and 29th in yards allowed.
Giants S Jevón Holland vs. Niners TE George Kittle: Holland is trending toward a return after missing last week’s game with a knee injury. Kittle missed five games due to injury but has been back for two games. He had four catches for 43 yards and a touchdown vs. the Texans last week. He has a touchdown in two of his three games.
Injury Report:
Giants: OUT: CB Paulson Adebo (knee), CB Cor’Dale Flott (concussion), CB Art Green (hamstring), DL Chauncey Golston (neck); DOUBTFUL: TE Daniel Bellinger (neck), RT Jermaine Eluemunor (pec); QUESTIONABLE: S Jevón Holland (knee), CB Rico Payton (groin).
Niners: OUT: C Jake Brendel (hamstring), DE Yetur Gross-Matos (knee/hamstring), DE Bryce Huff (hamstring), WR Ricky Pearsall (knee); QUESTIONABLE: QB Brock Purdy (toe), G Ben Bartch (ankle), OT Spencer Burford (knee), DT Jordan Elliott (ankle/personal), DE Sam Okuayinonu (ankle), LB Dee Winters (knee).
Giant Facts: Since Jaxson Dart took over as the starting QB, the Giants’ 47.1% third-down conversion rate ranks sixth (five games). … The Giants’ 19% pressure rate (hurries + knockdowns + sack plays per dropback) is tied for 23rd in the NFL. … The Giants will wear their classic 80s era blue uniform and rebrand the stadium Sunday to include their classic helmet design at midfield and vintage red end zones with “GIANTS” block lettering. The Vintage White and Legacy uniforms pay homage to the 1980s, when the franchise won its first Super Bowl.
The Prediction: Niners 24, Giants 17
