Rookie Revolution: Dart and Skattebo bring new life to Giants

After a disappointing 2024 season in which the Giants went 3-14, questions were floating around about the team’s direction.

Following the signings of quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston in March, the Giants weren’t done at the position, selecting Jaxson Dart in the first round of the 2025 draft.

Dart, who completed 69.3% of his passes for 32 touchdowns and six interceptions during his senior season at Ole Miss, also led college football with 4,774 total yards and 10.8 yards per attempt.

The Giants continued their offensive assault in the draft by taking running back Cam Skattebo in the fourth round, giving New York two dynamic future stars.

Skattebo was second in college football in rushing yards in 2024 and recorded 242 scrimmage yards and three total touchdowns in Arizona State’s double-overtime CFB quarterfinal loss to Texas.

Just six weeks into the 2025 NFL season, the pair has already begun to reshape the New York offense. Despite a 2-4 record and star wide receiver Malik Nabers’ ACL tear, the duo has been a bright spot on the rebuilding squad.

Dart has quickly settled into his role under center, completing 66% of his passes for 508 yards, four touchdowns and just two interceptions across three starts.

Dart helped lead the Giants to a 21-18 win over the Chargers in Week 4, accounting for 165 total yards and two touchdowns in an efficient debut performance.

His Week 5 start was rough, but he rebounded in the Week 6 win over Philadelphia, completing 17 of 25 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown while adding 58 rushing yards and another score.

In the beatdown of the Birds, Skattebo also added fuel to the fire. He rushed for 98 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries. Through five games as a starter, he’s totaled 401 rushing yards and five touchdowns while snagging 22 receptions for 155 yards.

Despite the recent success, the Giants face a tough stretch over the next few weeks.

In Week 7, they travel to Denver to take on the Broncos, who have allowed the second-lowest total yards and points per game in the league. Denver’s defense also leads the NFL in sacks with 30, 10 more than the next-closest team, presenting a major challenge for the rookie duo.

Following that, the Giants return to the East Coast for a rematch against the Eagles in Week 8, just two weeks after New York’s decisive win against the defending champions. With the G-Men’s offense fresh in their minds, the Eagles are likely preparing much better, meaning the Giants will need to make adjustments and find new ways to stay unpredictable.

Other tough matchups include the 4-2 49ers, the entire NFC North, with all teams above .500 through Week 6, and the AFC East leading Patriots, who have jumped onto the scene with a 4-2 record.

The schedule is daunting, but the Giants’ young players have proven that they can rise to the challenge.

For a team that ranked bottom three in yards per play and second-to-last in points scored last season, the rookies have been at the center of an offensive revolution in East Rutherford.

After a decade of offensive struggles, the Giants may finally be on the verge of a breakthrough, especially with Malik Nabers expected to return next season.

Jack Dobbins is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jwd5889@psu.edu.