As the 2025 NFL Draft nears closer, Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart has started gaining momentum. Dart has had a successful career in the SEC, although leading the Rebels to a 9-3 regular season this season, it wasn’t quite good enough for him to find an entrance to the College Football Playoff.
Instead, Dart likely watched his NFL Draft stock rise as Ole Miss dominated the Gator Bowl with a 52-20 blowout over the Duke Blue Devils, in which Dart completed 27 of 35 passes and threw for 404 yards and four touchdowns.
Dart put up his best numbers this year as a senior, completing 69.3% of passes and throwing for 4,279 yards and 29 touchdowns. Following Thursday’s Bowl game, Dart is first amongst all college quarterbacks in passer rating with 180.7. He is also third in total passing yards (4,279), third in yards per game (329.2), and eighth in number of touchdowns (29).
Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart Among Rising NFL Draft Prospects
Despite a draft class that lacks elite quarterback prospects, Dart’s skill set could make him one of the draft’s biggest steals. This quarterback class lacks depth, and the demand for fresh talent will elevate the second-tier quarterbacks.
One NFL scout, Fox Sports NFL’s Jordan Schultz, highlighted Dart’s potential: “He’s gonna be a major steal in the draft. He throws the ball down the field as well as anyone, which I realize is a lost skill in today’s game, but that’s what makes him interesting. Get Dart a couple of speed guys, and he can really hurt you.”
Here’s some fun feedback on Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart, from a longtime NFL scout: “He’s gonna be a major steal in the draft. Throws the ball down the field as well as anyone, which I realize is kinda this lost skill in today’s game, but that’s what makes him so interesting. Get…
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 3, 2025
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With the NFL constantly changing toward more athletic, playmaking quarterbacks, Dart certainly has an interesting skill set. But how does he stand against other quarterbacks in this year’s class? Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of Dart: his game, strengths, and areas of concern.
The Good
Arm Strength and Versatility
Arguably, his most impressive attribute is his arm strength. Dart can rip the ball downfield with speed, hitting all areas of the field—whether attacking between the hashes or pushing it outside the numbers. He can also make throws from many different arm angles, which is highly prized in the NFL, where quarterbacks often need to make throws while moving outside the pocket.
Mobility and Play Extending
Dart’s ability to extend plays with his legs is another reason his stock is rising. He’s comfortable moving outside the pocket, and his quick release allows him to deliver the ball accurately while on the move. He’s not afraid to take off and run when necessary, adding a dual-threat dimension that could help him thrive in an NFL offense that prioritizes mobility.
Touch and Velocity Control
Dart understands when to use both velocity and touch. He can powerfully drive the ball downfield, but he also knows when to soften his touch and drop passes over defenders. This ability to mix speeds is crucial in the NFL, where quarterbacks must adjust their throws depending on the coverage and the situation.
The Bad
Mental Processing and Reading Defenses
His ability to go through his progressions is slower than expected for a senior quarterback. Dart’s offense at Ole Miss was heavily scheme based, meaning he often had simple reads and was rarely forced to make difficult decisions quickly. This could make it challenging for him to adapt to the complexity of NFL defenses, which can be far more intricate.
Anticipation
Dart struggles with anticipatory throwing, meaning he often waits for his receivers to separate before releasing the ball. At the next level, throwing before a receiver makes their break is critical to avoiding sacks and keeping the offense moving. Dart’s timing will need to improve, especially when facing man-to-man coverage.
Scheme Fit and Transition to NFL Systems
Dart’s success at Ole Miss was mainly due to a system that relied on quick reads and isolated matchups, creating mismatches. His ability to attack these favorable situations was one of his greatest strengths, but it’s unclear how well he will adapt to the NFL’s more structured, pro-style offenses.
Potential Starter, Good Value and High Production
Right now, Dart is valued anywhere from a late first-round pick to a day-two steal. At 6 feet 2 inches and 225 pounds, he has all the physical tools to succeed in the NFL: a strong, mobile quarterback with a quick release and the ability to challenge defenses downfield. However, his transition to the pros will not be without its hurdles. He will need to work on his mental processing speed, develop a more anticipatory throwing style, and become more consistent under pressure.
Those are concerns, but a combination of Dart’s ability to make all throws with his athleticism and playmaking potential should be enough for someone to sneak up late in the first round if his stock continues to rise to a second-night pick. His raw tools are hard to ignore, and in a not-so-deep quarterback class, Dart could be a steal for any team willing to invest in him.
Three Teams That Could Select Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart in the 2025 NFL Draft
New York Giants
The Giants will need a quarterback in 2025 and have expressed interest in Dart this year. They were reportedly interested enough to send executives to scout him personally, but we don’t know just how high they are on him.
Another Ole Miss quarterback to play for the Giants is two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning. Could Dart follow in his footsteps? The last time the Giants drafted a quarterback who broke records at Ole Miss, it turned out pretty well. In June, Manning was asked about Dart, and fans began speculating about what could happen with another Rebel quarterback under center.
“He seems like a great kid and has a good head on his shoulders. I’m excited about his future.” – Eli Manning on Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart
Future Giant?
— Giants 366 (@Giants366) June 29, 2024
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Las Vegas Raiders
In the offseason, the Las Vegas Raiders will aggressively pursue a quarterback. The current quarterback room of Aidan O’Connell, Desmond Ridder, and Gardner Minshew II has struggled, no matter who has been under center. The Raiders are currently 28th in scoring offense, scoring 18.1 points per game and 28 touchdowns.
If the Raiders find themselves out of a top-five draft pick, they probably won’t be able to land Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward. However, they might find themselves in the correct position to trade back into the first round or snag Dart on day two of the draft.
Seattle Seahawks
This one might surprise you, but if the Seattle Seahawks are looking for a solid player with leadership qualities, Dart is it. Dart has shown exceptional arm talent with accuracy even off platform throws. He is a proven leader who demonstrates selflessness while still showcasing playmaker abilities.
Any General Manager would love these traits, especially John Schneider, who looks for his players to possess them. Previous Schneider draft picks include Bobby Wagner, Tyler Lockett, Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas and the list goes on and on. Seattle needs a quarterback for the future, and drafting a quarterback allows him to join a veteran room with Geno Smith.
Main Photo Courtesy of Nathan Ray Seebeck – Imagn Images
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