Joe Shane, the general manager, clarified that the decision to draft Jackson Dart wasn’t solely a coaching staff initiative. Speaking on Fanduel TV’s “Up and Adams,” he addressed the notion of Dart being a pick driven by the coaches. Although he emphasized that it was a group decision, he stopped short of saying Dart was his personal favorite.
Shane mentioned, “It was an organization’s decision. The selection process is collaborative, detailed, and we stand by it.”
Interestingly, there’s a belief within NFL circles that the Giants’ front office had a preference for Chedure Sanders. The coaching staff, led by DABOLL, seemed to play a role in swaying the draft strategy towards Dart.
Adding to the buzz, the Giants released a video showcasing behind-the-scenes moments from draft night. In a clip, Shane commented to Daboll, “You’ve been committed to him. You believe in him.”
This raises the question: Is Dart a Daboll guy? Or Shane’s choice? “Jackson was definitely someone we kept an eye on throughout the fall,” Shane recounted, noting he had scouted Dart’s final college game.
Shane highlighted that three coaches on the staff—Daboll, offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, and quarterback coach Shea Tierney—have experience developing successful quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen.
As for the decision specifically regarding Dart, Shane disclosed that they finalized their choice just three days before the draft.
Meanwhile, Sanders, who was favored by some within the Giants’ scouting team, landed with the Browns in a surprising fifth-round pick.
Shane further explained, “As the draft nears, it’s crucial to narrow your focus and minimize outside opinions. My leadership team, along with a few coaches, formulated a strategy.”
Additional insights from Shane:
– Free agent wide receiver Gabe Davis had dinner with Shane after visiting the facility. Shane was involved in drafting Davis back in the fourth round of 2020, but Davis recently underwent knee surgery.
Shane commented, “We’ll see if there are any developments here. No announcements today.”
– The Giants are facing a tough lineup in the season’s first four games, which include matchups against the Commanders, Cowboys, Chiefs, and Chargers.
“You need to start strong,” Shane noted. “That’s what we aimed for in 2022, unlike the last two years.”
When asked about facing what may be the hardest schedule in the NFL, Shane simply replied, “There’s nothing we can do about it.”
– There’s ongoing discussion about introducing an NFL Draft lottery to prevent teams from tanking in late-season games.
Shane expressed his disagreement, arguing, “If you find yourself in that situation, you’ve likely earned the chance to select a player who could significantly benefit your franchise for the next 15 or 20 years.”
