Entering the 2025 NFL draft, the New York Giants had one pick in the first round. They selected Abdul Carter out of Penn State third overall. Additionally, New York traded with the Houston Texans to acquire the 25th overall pick. With that second first-round selection, the team took quarterback Jaxson Dart out of Ole Miss.
Dart’s rookie season was eventful to say the least. Each week, he put on a show and brought life to the New York Giants offense. He was also heavily scrutinized for his play style. The 22-year-old missed two consecutive games due to a concussion. Over the weekend, NFL analyst Warren Sharp shared data points on quarterback expected points added (EPA) on third down in 2025. He noted that Dart’s +0.13 EPA/att on third down is tied with Justin Herbert for the best by a rookie since 2020.
Giants quarterback Jaxon Dart was impressive on this key stat in 2025
What is EPA and EPA/att?
Expected points added, or EPA, is an advanced football metric that evaluates a play based on the game situation. Field position, down and distance, and time all factor into the equation. EPA helps determine how many points a particular play adds to a team’s expected scoring. Next, there is EPA/att. It is the average value a quarterback adds over the course of a play. To many NFL analysts, EPA/att is regarded as a stronger data point than traditional stats like passer rating.
Where did Jaxson Dart excel in 2025?
Out of 43 qualified passers in Warren Sharp’s metrics, Dart was sixth with a third-down EPA of +0.13 in 2025. In football, third down is often known as the money down. For New York in 2025, Dart was highly effective on third down. Sharp reported Dart had the best QB EPA/att of qualifying rookie quarterbacks since 2020. He is tied with Herbert from the Los Angeles Chargers. Not bad company for the young signal-caller.
It’s worth noting that the rookie average since 2020 is -0.18 EPA/att. When it came to third down in 2025, Dart gave the Giants a fighting chance. His aggressive play style certainly factored into that success. While media members called out Dart for taking unnecessary hits, the young quarterback was never afraid to fight for a first down. Early in his career with Buffalo, Josh Allen took unnecessary hits. Over time, he’s learned to slide more and protect himself. Dart must do the same if he wants to be available for the Giants.
During his rookie campaign in 2025, Dart made 12 starts for New York. He was on the bench for the first three games of the year. Russell Wilson was the starter at the time. Ahead of Week 4, Dart was named the starter for the Giants. In his 12 starts, the team had a 4-8 record. As a rookie, Dart’s superpower was using his legs. Whether he was extending the play to create more time or running for a first down, Dart kept the defense honest. He averaged 34.8 rushing yards per game in 2025. Additionally, he ran for nine touchdowns. With his success on third down, Dart only has room to grow next season with an improved New York Giants offense.
