Giants QB impressions at OTAs as Jaxson Dart flashes potential

What we knew heading into the spring was on display Wednesday as the Giants went through their second organized team activity practice.

Russell Wilson took the vast majority of the snaps at quarterback with the starting offense. Jameis Winston as the backup got the snaps with the second team and rookie Jaxson Dart got the snaps with the third team — other than a few snaps with the starters.

Tommy DeVito received limited snaps in the team drills, which were all red-zone reps from the 10-yard line.

Wilson, the 36-year-old in his 14th NFL season — and first with the Giants — looked in command as he continued to learn a new offense.

His most notable throw was a fade to Darius Slayton (now wearing jersey No. 18) for a touchdown, as Slayton got the step he needed on cornerback Dru Phillips.

The Giants and head coach Brian Daboll are excited about Dart’s potential, which is why there was a trade up into the first round of the NFL draft to take the three-year starter at Ole Miss.

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The highlight for Dart was a perfectly-placed lob off a rollout to Jalin Hyatt in the back of the end zone.

Dart also flipped a scoring pass to running back Dante Miller and he showed his wheels on a few well-timed scrambles, including one that resulted in a touchdown when he raced around the right side.

Winston, 31, found Slayton for a touchdown. Before that, he did a very Jameis Winston thing.

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Known for occasionally throwing the ball to the wrong team, Winston did just that on his first throw in the 7 on 7 period, a ball that was picked off by safety Dane Belton.

In one early drill, where two quarterbacks throw in unison to different receivers, Wilson and Winston were on the far field and Dart and DeVito were on the near field.

This particular drill might have been unfamiliar to Dart, and DeVito could be seen talking and motioning to the rookie, instructing him where to look and where to stand.

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Working without a defense on the field in another drill, Dart misfired on a shovel pass intended for tight end Jermaine Terry.

Rather than move on to the next rep, Dart got a second chance on the shovel pass and this time he made it work.

Dart did have a misfire that was intercepted by linebacker Micah McFadden. After many of his throws, Daboll went over to have a word with Dart.

Daboll beforehand made it clear that he was not going to reveal the plans for the quarterback pecking order.

“They’ll all get reps at various spots, so we’ve got a plan for that and we’ve been working that since they’ve been here,” he said, “but they’ll all get reps.”

None of the quarterbacks got the chance to throw to Malik Nabers, who was kept out of all drills as he deals with a lingering toe issue that Daboll said goes all the way back to Nabers’ time in college at LSU. 

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As previously reported, Evan Neal is now a guard. He lined up at left guard with the second-team offensive line, though it is expected that he will be given a chance to fight for the starting right guard spot currently occupied by veteran Greg Van Roten.

“Look, he’s a big man,’’ Daboll said of Neal. “He’s got length, he’s obviously a little bit taller than I’d say traditional guards, but he’s played it. He’s played a number of positions since he’s been at University of Alabama. He’s been working hard this last month and a half and look forward to getting him out there.’’ 

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The Giants had perfect attendance for their second OTA. 

“Appreciate them coming in,’’ Daboll said. “When it’s a voluntary practice and voluntary camp, it shows they care a lot about it.’’