The tension in the New York Giants' draft room on April 24, 2025, was thick enough to cut with a knife. Joe Schoen, the man holding the reins, had already secured a blue-chip defender in Abdul Carter with the third overall pick. But everybody knew the real story hadn't been written yet. The Giants were desperate for a future under center, and they weren't going to leave the first round without their guy.
When the Houston Texans came on the clock at No. 25, the phone lines lit up.
The Breakdown: What the Giants Traded for Jaxson Dart
Honestly, the price was steep, but in the world of NFL quarterbacks, "steep" is a relative term. To move from the top of the second round back into the bottom of the first, the Giants had to surrender a significant chunk of their draft capital.
The final invoice sent to Houston looked like this:
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- The 34th overall pick (their original 2025 second-rounder)
- The 99th overall pick (a 2025 third-rounder)
- A 2026 third-round pick
Basically, the Giants gave up three top-100 caliber players just to secure the 25th spot. Why? Because landing Jaxson Dart meant they got that coveted fifth-year option on his rookie contract. That extra year of team control is basically gold for a franchise trying to rebuild while managing a salary cap.
Why the Texans Said Yes
Nick Caserio, the Texans' GM, is a guy who loves to accumulate assets. By the time the 25th pick rolled around, the board had flattened out. For Houston, dropping back nine spots to pick at 34 and picking up two third-rounders was a total no-brainer. They weren't in the market for a quarterback with C.J. Stroud already established as a superstar.
For the Giants, it was a gamble on upside. They watched Dart light up the SEC at Ole Miss, throwing for over 4,200 yards in his final season. They saw a kid who could run, throw from weird angles, and—most importantly—bring a certain "it" factor that the Meadowlands hadn't seen in a while.
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The Impact on the 2026 Roster
Fast forward to right now, January 2026, and we're starting to see the ripples of that trade. Because the Giants sent their 2026 third-round pick to Houston, they entered this current offseason with a bit of a hole in their mid-round strategy. You've probably noticed the roster is a little thin on veteran depth right now. That's the direct "tax" of the Dart trade.
Even so, look at what happened toward the end of the 2025 season. Dart stepped in, won those two crucial games to close out the year, and showed enough flashes to make people forget about the picks they lost. With John Harbaugh now officially in the building as the new head coach, the focus has shifted entirely to building around Dart’s specific skill set.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Trade
A lot of fans think the Giants overpaid. You'll hear talk at the bars or on sports radio about how they could have just stayed at 34 and taken whoever was left. But the Giants' front office knew the Raiders and Browns were sniffing around the quarterback market. If they didn't leapfrog back into the first round, Dart likely doesn't wear a Giants jersey.
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The trade wasn't just about the player; it was about the security of the position. By getting him at 25, they guaranteed he wouldn't be a "bridge" guy. He's the cornerstone.
Actionable Next Steps for Giants Fans
If you’re keeping a close eye on how this trade continues to age, here is what you should be watching:
- Monitor the 2026 Draft Order: Since the Giants don't have that third-round pick, watch if Joe Schoen tries to trade back from the No. 2 overall spot to recoup some of that lost capital.
- Watch the Offensive Scheme: With Harbaugh and Todd Monken likely shaping the 2026 offense, see how they utilize Dart’s mobility, which was his calling card at Ole Miss.
- Evaluate the Houston Picks: To truly judge this trade, we have to see who the Texans eventually draft with that 2026 third-rounder. If they land a Pro Bowler, the "overpay" narrative will resurface.
The reality is that NFL trades are rarely won or lost on the day they happen. They are won three years later when the quarterback is either leading a playoff drive or sitting on a bench. Right now, Jaxson Dart looks like he was worth every bit of the draft capital the Giants shipped to Houston.