Giants' Jaxson Dart Talks Saints NFL Draft Snub, 'Always a Chip on Your Shoulder'

Fresh off a 21-18 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers in his first-ever NFL start, New York Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart will lead his team into New Orleans on Sunday to play the Saints, who passed on the opportunity to take the ex-Ole Miss star with the No. 9 overall pick in the NFL draft.

During his Wednesday press conference, Dart was asked if he had a "chip on his shoulder" playing against a Saints team that could have taken him, and he provided this response:

"I think there's always a chip on your shoulder any time something like that happens. But I'm just going to go out there and play as hard as I can."

Dart was then asked if he thought the Saints might call him when they were on the clock at No. 9.

"Yeah, I thought my visit with them went good, so you kind of have thoughts in your head in the draft of what options are really realistic, and I definitely felt like that was a place that could have panned out, but things didn't work out that way."

New Orleans ended up selecting Texas offensive tackle and Lombardi Award winner Kelvin Banks Jr., who is starting for the Saints at left tackle. The Giants traded up from the second round to No. 25 overall, where the Houston Texans were previously slated to pick, to take Dart.

New Orleans did end up selecting a quarterback, Louisville's Tyler Shough, at No. 40 overall. Shough is currently the Saints' backup behind starter Spencer Rattler.

As for Dart, the 22-year-old had a good day at the office last Sunday against the previously undefeated Los Angeles Chargers, completing 13-of-20 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown while adding 54 rushing yards and another score.

Dart did absorb some big hits, notably taking five sacks and getting hit multiple times in the open field. However, the rookie hung tough and gave the previously winless Giants a much-needed victory.

Now the Giants hope Dart can take that chip on his shoulder to lead the team to its second straight victory, this time against the 0-4 Saints. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.