Jaxson Dart's Impressive Third-Down Play Gave Giants Offense a Boost in 2025

The rookie quarterback's +0.13 EPA/att on third down tied Justin Herbert for best by a first-year player since 2020.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 4:05pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist-style painting depicting a quarterback making a play, with the action broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in vibrant colors, conveying the energy and dynamism of the moment.Dart's third-down heroics kept the Giants' offense moving forward in his rookie season.Los Angeles Today

New York Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart had an eventful 2025 season, making 12 starts and showcasing his aggressive playing style. One key stat that stood out was Dart's +0.13 expected points added (EPA) per attempt on third down, which tied him with Justin Herbert for the best by a first-year QB since 2020. This advanced metric highlights Dart's effectiveness on the critical 'money down' and his ability to keep the Giants' offense moving forward.

Why it matters

Dart's strong third-down performance as a rookie is an encouraging sign for the Giants' future, as the team looks to build around the young quarterback. His ability to make plays and extend drives on third down is a valuable asset that could help the Giants improve on their 4-8 record with Dart as the starter in 2025.

The details

Dart missed two games due to a concussion, but when he was on the field, he made a significant impact. His 34.8 rushing yards per game and 9 rushing touchdowns showcased his dual-threat ability. While Dart's aggressive style led to some criticism about taking unnecessary hits, it also contributed to his success on third down, where he was able to fight for first downs and keep the chains moving.

  • Dart was named the Giants' starting quarterback ahead of Week 4 in 2025, replacing veteran Russell Wilson.
  • Over the course of 12 starts, the Giants had a 4-8 record with Dart under center.

The players

Jaxson Dart

The Giants' first-round draft pick in 2025, Dart made 12 starts as a rookie and showcased his dual-threat abilities, including strong performance on third down.

Justin Herbert

The Los Angeles Chargers quarterback, who Dart tied for the best third-down EPA/att by a rookie since 2020.

Russell Wilson

The veteran quarterback who started the first three games of the 2025 season for the Giants before Dart took over as the starter.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Dart's +0.13 EPA/att on third down is tied with Justin Herbert for the best by a rookie since 2020.”

— Warren Sharp, NFL Analyst

What’s next

As Dart enters his second season, the Giants will look for him to continue improving his decision-making and protecting himself better to avoid unnecessary hits, while building on his strong third-down performance to lead the offense to more success.

The takeaway

Jaxson Dart's impressive third-down play as a rookie, highlighted by his +0.13 EPA/att that tied Justin Herbert for the best by a first-year QB since 2020, is an encouraging sign for the Giants' future. His ability to make plays and extend drives on the critical 'money down' could be a valuable asset as the team looks to build around their young quarterback.