A pair of Giants rookies were on the ballots for Thursday night's NFL Honors ceremony, with quarterback Jaxson Dart placing fourth for Offensive Rookie of the Year and edge rusher Abdul Carter coming in fifth for Defensive Rookie of the Year.

While Dart didn't take home OROY honors, getting beat out by heavy-favorite Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, he did manage to receive one first-place vote for his inspiring first season in the NFL in which he had 24 total touchdowns and threw for 2,272 yards while adding 487 yards on the ground in 14 games (12 starts) after taking over the starting job early in the season.

Although New York didn't have much success last season, the debut of Dart and his continued progression as a quarterback in the league are something the Giants and new head coach John Harbaugh will hang on to and look forward to next season and beyond.

The return of wide receiver Malik Nabers, who was injured for the majority of Dart's time on the field, will also be exciting as the pair hopes to build a strong connection and be a dynamic duo for Big Blue for years to come.

Meanwhile, after being selected third overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, Carter's season was up and down. He finished the season with four sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries, but had just 43 combined tackles and was part of a Giants defense that ranked in the bottom third in almost every defensive category, including points allowed, total yards allowed, yards per play and yards per rush attempt (last).

While it may be unfair for New York to have expected Carter to make an immediate impact in his first season, even as a top-3 pick, it surely will expect a lot more out of the 22-year-old and the rest of its defense next season.

Carter lost DROY to Cleveland Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger, who combined for 156 tackles, 2.5 sacks, nine passes defended and two interceptions. Schwesinger, drafted in the second round (No. 33 overall), received 40 first-place votes.

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