NFL.com's quarterbacks primed to make leap in 2026
Nick Shook of NFL.com recently published his list of six quarterbacks he believes are primed to make the leap in 2026.
As Shook mentions in the intro, "A significant portion of my methodology is dependent on the coach-quarterback pairing. Some candidates with promising outlooks won't land here because they don't yet have a coach or an offensive coordinator in place to project how the marriage might fare. In the same respect, new hires have indeed influenced my optimism regarding some players."
Based on what we saw this past season, along with the hiring of John Harbaugh as head coach, it should come as no surprise to see Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart featured on the list.
"He's already demonstrated a creative instinct that makes him difficult to defend as both a runner and passer, an accurate arm, a willingness to scramble for positive gains and a competitive fire reminiscent of Baker Mayfield's moxie," wrote Shook. "That last trait could produce some volatile performances, but for the Giants, they should welcome that passion. Dart will need to improve when it comes to his decision-making as a passer, but much of his development will depend on whom John Harbaugh tabs as his offensive coordinator. If Dart lands an experienced play-caller with a knack for fitting his system to his quarterback, a beautiful product could emerge, especially once he gets Cam Skattebo and Malik Nabers back from injury. That is, of course, if Dart manages to avoid his own ailments."
Dart put together one of the strongest overall seasons we've ever seen from a Giants rookie quarterback.
He finished this year with the second-most passing yards (2,272) by a rookie in franchise history, as he surpassed Charlie Conerly (2,175 yards in 1948) in the Week 18 win over the Cowboys. Dart's 24 total touchdowns were the third-most by a rookie in Giants history, trailing only Conerly and Daniel Jones, while his nine scores on the ground not only set a new franchise quarterback record, but also finished as the second-most by a rookie quarterback in NFL history.
"I like the way he plays," Harbaugh said about Dart during his introductory press conference. "I like his talent, skill set, all the things he's accomplished, but more than that, I like who he is and what he's about. To me, he's about football. This young guy loves football. He wants to talk football all the time and that's kind of what I like doing too. So, I think we're going to have a lot of great conversations. I can't wait to get started with him."
The 22-year-old signal-caller had 10 games with 2+ touchdowns, which tied Andrew Luck (2012), Russell Wilson (2012), Dak Prescott (2016), Jayden Daniels (2024) and Bo Nix (2024) for the third-most games with 2+ offensive touchdowns by a rookie since 2000.
Earlier this week, Dart was named a finalist for the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. He has also been named as a finalist for the Pepsi Zero Sugar NFL Rookie of the Year award.
View photos of the Giants' rookie class throughout the 2025 season.
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61), G Jon Runyan Jr. (76), RB Cam Skattebo (44) and QB Jaxson Dart (6)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
DT Darius Alexander (91), OLB Abdul Carter (51), OLB Brian Burns (0) , DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)G Jon Runyan Jr. (76)
A fan holds up a shirt for New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart and running back Cam Skattebo before an NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and the Giants in Denver, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo (44) runs against Denver Broncos defensive end John Franklin-Myers during the second half of an NFL football game in Denver, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
OLB Abdul Carter (51), OLB Brian Burns (0)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
QB Jaxson Dart (6), RB Cam Skattebo (44)
QB Jaxson Dart (6) , WR Beaux Collins (81)
QB Jaxson Dart (6), RB Cam Skattebo (44)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
QB Jaxson Dart (6), RB Cam Skattebo (44)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
QB Jaxson Dart (6), RB Cam Skattebo (44)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)TE Theo Johnson (84)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)RB Cam Skattebo (44)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
QB Jaxson Dart (6) , RB Cam Skattebo (44)
QB Jaxson Dart (6), RB Cam Skattebo (44)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
QB Jaxson Dart (6) , TE Theo Johnson (84)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
WR Beaux Collins (81)
DT Darius Alexander (91)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
WR Beaux Collins (81)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
TE Thomas Fidone II (86)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
New York Giants defensive tackle Darius Alexander (91)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)QB Jaxson Dart (6)
WR Beaux Collins (81)
S Tyler Nubin (27), OLB Abdul Carter (51)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
New York Giants guard Marcus Mbow (71)
RB Cam Skattebo (44) and QB Jaxson Dart (6)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
DT Darius Alexander (91), DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
RB Cam Skattebo (44), C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61), TE Theo Johnson (84)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
RB Cam Skattebo (44), QB Jaxson Dart (6)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
RB Cam Skattebo (44),QB Jaxson Dart (6)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
OL Marcus Mbow (71)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
DT Darius Alexander (91)
DT Darius Alexander (91)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
OLB Abdul Carter (51), OLB Brian Burns (0)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
DT Darius Alexander (91)
TE Thomas Fidone II (86) Goal Line Catch New York Giants vs New England Patriots Preseason Week 3
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
TE Chris Manhertz (85), OL Marcus Mbow (71), RB Cam Skattebo (44)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
DT Darius Alexander (91)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
TE Thomas Fidone II (86)
RB Cam Skattebo (44) and OLB Abdul Carter (51)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
DT Darius Alexander (91)
TE Thomas Fidone II (86) Goal Line Catch New York Giants vs New England Patriots Preseason Week 3
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
TE Thomas Fidone II (86) Goal Line Catch New York Giants vs New England Patriots Preseason Week 3
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
OL Marcus Mbow (71)
OL Marcus Mbow (71)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
TE Thomas Fidone II (86)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
TE Thomas Fidone II (86)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
New York Giants linebacker Abdul Carter (51)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
WR Beaux Collins (8)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
TE Thomas Fidone II (86)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
OLB Abdul Carter (51), CB Cor'Dale Flott (28)
OLB Brian Burns (0) , OLB Abdul Carter (51), DT Darius Alexander (91)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
RB Cam Skattebo (44) and TE Theo Johnson (84)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
QB Jaxson Dart (6), RB Cam Skattebo (44)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
QB Jaxson Dart (6),TE Theo Johnson (84), T Andrew Thomas (78)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) reacts after scoring a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025 in East Rutherford, N.J. (Kevin Sabitus via AP)
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) celebrates during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
A fan holds up a sign for New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo before an NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and the Giants in Denver, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) looks to pass as Denver Broncos defensive end Zach Allen (99) applies pressure during the first half of an NFL football game in Denver, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Broncos running back RJ Harvey, middle, is tackled by New York Giants linebacker Abdul Carter, left, and cornerback Cordale Flott during the first half of an NFL football game in Denver, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo, bottom, scores past Denver Broncos cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian (29), cornerback Riley Moss, middle left, and safety Brandon Jones during the first half of an NFL football game in Denver, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) rolls out to pass as Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper (0) applies pressure during the first half of an NFL football game in Denver, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo, bottom, scores against the Denver Broncos during the first half of an NFL football game in Denver, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) reacts during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos in Denver, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart, right, gestures during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos in Denver, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo, middle, runs against the New York Giants during the second half of an NFL football game in Denver, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) reaches for the goal line to score a touchdown against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL football game in Denver, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos safety Brandon Jones (22) and safety Talanoa Hufanga, middle, break up a pass intended for New York Giants wide receiver Beaux Collins (81) during the second half of an NFL football game in Denver, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo (44) signs autograph before an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) warms up before an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo (44) joins teammates in huddle during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) looks to pass the ball under pressure form Denver Broncos defensive tackle D.J.Jones (93) an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
New York Giants' Jaxson Dart, left, and Beaux Collins celebrate after Dart's touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)DB Korie Black (38)CB Deonte Banks (2)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
New York Giants linebacker Abdul Carter (51)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
OLB Abdul Carter (51), OLB Brian Burns (0)
DT Darius Alexander (91), OLB Abdul Carter (51), OLB Brian Burns (0)
DT Darius Alexander (91), ILB Bobby Okereke (58), LB Swayze Bozeman (54), DL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches (93)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
DT Darius Alexander (91)
New York Giants at New England Patriots Week 13,New York Giants linebacker Abdul Carter (51),New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6)
New York Giants at New England Patriots Week 13,New York Giants linebacker Abdul Carter (51)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
OLB Abdul Carter (51), DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
DT Darius Alexander (91)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
OLB Brian Burns (0) , DT Darius Alexander (91), OLB Abdul Carter (51)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6)
QB Jaxson Dart (6), RB Cam Skattebo (44)
OL Marcus Mbow (71)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
DT Darius Alexander (91)
DT Darius Alexander (91)
OLB Abdul Carter (51), DL Chauncey Golston (57)
OLB Abdul Carter (51), DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6),New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo (44)
New York Giants linebacker Abdul Carter (51)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
DT Darius Alexander (91)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
New York Giants defensive tackle Darius Alexander (91), New York Giants wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6)
OLB Abdul Carter (51), OLB Tomon Fox (45)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
DT Darius Alexander (91), OLB Abdul Carter (51)
OL Marcus Mbow (71)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
RB Cam Skattebo (44)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
DT Darius Alexander (91)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
OL Marcus Mbow (71)
OL Marcus Mbow (71)
DT Darius Alexander (91)
DT Darius Alexander (91), QB Jaxson Dart (6)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
QB Jaxson Dart (6)
New York Giants defensive tackle Darius Alexander (91)
New York Giants offensive tackle Marcus Mbow (71)
OLB Abdul Carter (51)
View photos of John Harbaugh being introduced as head coach of the New York Football Giants.
New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh speaks to the media after being introduced during a news conference at the team's NFL football training facility Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh speaks to the media after being introduced during a news conference at the teams NFL football training facility Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh speaks to the media after being introduced during a news conference at the teams NFL football training facility Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh arrives for a news conference to introduce him at the teams NFL football training facility Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh speaks to the media after being introduced during a news conference at the teams NFL football training facility Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Head Coach John Harbaugh
Head Coach John Harbaugh
Head Coach John Harbaugh
Head Coach John Harbaugh
Head Coach John Harbaugh
Head Coach John Harbaugh
Head Coach John Harbaugh
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