Ole Miss Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart has been climbing up NFL Draft boards throughout the scouting process, and he is now expected to go off the board dramatically higher than originally expected.
The 6’2″ quarterback had a career year in his senior season at Ole Miss, throwing for 4,276 yards and 29 touchdowns in Lane Kiffin’s offense before declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft. Now, he’s the talk of the town.
Jaxson Dart’s Floor Could Now Fall Inside the Top 10
While the 2025 NFL Draft is expected to be one of the weakest quarterback classes in recent memory, Dart’s stock seems to be fighting the current. He now has the potential to be the second quarterback taken in the opening round, behind presumed No. 1 pick Cam Ward from Miami (FL).
However, according to CBS, it could be a complete surprise if Dart were to drop beyond the New Orleans Saints with the ninth overall pick.
On “CBS Sports HQ,” NFL reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala said, “What I am being told is that Jaxson Dart is not going to fall beyond that No. 9 pick and the Saints. Somebody could potentially go above the Saints to try to go get him, but that is not what I’m hearing right now. That is a pick that Kellen Moore really likes.”
Dart’s college career culminated in a great 2024 season, marking career highs in just about every category, including his 69.2% completion percentage and 10.7 yards per passing attempt. Now, after an impressive offseason of workouts and interviews, it seems NFL franchises have taken to the Rebels’ gunslinger.
"What I'm being told is that Jaxson Dart is not going to fall beyond that No. 9 pick and the Saints."@AKinkhabwala with the latest buzz from the NFL Draft. pic.twitter.com/r4OR2xzNMD
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS)
Moore, the newly appointed Saints head coach, will be looking to put his own stamp on the offense, having waited patiently for a head coaching opportunity for several years. The franchise has been heavily linked with Dart in recent mock drafts, which could be a sign.
If the CBS report is correct, Moore’s priority choice to take over as the franchise starter in New Orleans would be Dart. The Saints’ coach runs a unique scheme with a mix of playstyles, including philosophies he picked up during his time as a quarterback at Boise State and later in the NFL.
He may feel the Ole Miss product is capable of running that scheme effectively in the NFL, deemed worthy of a top 10 draft pick.
The Saints’ QB Room Needs a Shake-Up
If New Orleans does, in fact, turn in the card for Dart, that likely spells the eventual end of both Derek Carr and Spencer Rattler’s tenure with the franchise. Carr is dealing with complications in his shoulder that may end his 2025 season before it starts, while Rattler underwhelmed when given a shot.
The former Las Vegas Raiders quarterback has two years left on the four-year, $150 million deal he signed with the Saints in 2022. With a new coaching staff taking over, the 2025 NFL Draft may be the perfect opportunity for New Orleans to move on.
Rattler started six games for the Saints in Carr’s absence this past season, but he didn’t do enough to win the job. The rookie threw just four touchdowns with five interceptions while averaging 5.8 yards per attempt.
New Orleans will need to be cautious if it plans to draft Dart. Teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers and Las Vegas Raiders could also be in play in what is expected to be a relatively thin quarterback class.
