What is the Latest? Here’s Where Experts See Former Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart going in the 2025 NFL Draft
OXFORD, Miss. — We are just a couple of days away from finding out where Ole Miss’ heralded class of 2025 potential draftees will be selected. One of the most eagerly awaited names to be called will be that of former Rebel quarterback Jaxson Dart, as draft experts have him in many varied spots in mock drafts.
In terms of the signal-callers available in this draft, most analysts agree that Miami QB Cam Ward is likely the No. 1 overall pick and will be headed to the Titans. But after that selection, it’s anyone’s guess.
Former Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders had been thought to be a shoe-in for the No. 2 quarterback off the board; however, his draft stock has fluctuated tremendously since the end of the season. That has opened the door for Ole Miss’ Dart who enjoyed excellent pre-draft process.
The 21-year-old Dart, who was named First-Team All-SEC in 2024, led Ole Miss to a 10-3 overall record and threw for 4,279 yards and 29 touchdowns last season. Everything we have heard indicates Dart has met and spent a good deal of time with NFL teams, who have spoken highly of the former Rebel, but there are still many differing thoughts on where he will be taken.
We’ve compiled the thoughts of some of the experts out there on Dart’s NFL future.
Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN
Projected Draft Position: Round 1, Pick 26, Los Angeles Rams
“I love this pick because of the potential,” Kiper wrote back on April 8. “Rams coach Sean McVay could develop Dart into a legit future starter. Of course, I say ‘future’ because Matthew Stafford’s contract restructure keeps him in Los Angeles for at least another season. But he’s 37 years old, and the Rams have to make plans for 2026 and beyond. Dart can hit receivers’ strike zones on a rope, and his ability to throw on the run is fun to watch. He had 4,279 passing yards, 29 TD throws and six interceptions last season. And this pick would bring him back to the West Coast — Dart spent 2021 at USC before transferring to Ole Miss.”
Field Yates, ESPN
Projected Draft Position: Round 1, Pick 21, Pittsburgh Steelers
While noting that signing Aaron Rodgers will “not preclude” the Steelers from looking toward the future at quarterback, Yates wrote the following on Dart on April 2:
“Dart broke Eli Manning’s school record at Ole Miss for passing yards (4,279) and led the FBS in yards per attempt (10.8) in 2024. He has good mobility and accuracy, throwing 52 touchdowns and 11 interceptions over the past two seasons.”
Yates has Dart as his third QB off the board behind Ward and Sanders.
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Network
Projected Draft Position: Round 1, Pick 21, Pittsburgh Steelers
“The Steelers’ plan at quarterback is not completely clear at the moment. Even if they were to land 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers, they would still need a long-term option at the position, so they take another swing here with Dart.”
It’s worth noting, Daniel Jeremiah usually takes insider info into account for his mock drafts.
Dane Brugler, The Athletic
Projected Draft Position: Round 2, Pick 33, Cleveland Browns
Brugler referred to Dart as a “gifted, competitive QB who needs time to develop how he reads defenses.”
Brugler has Ward and Sanders going ahead of Dart and Dart ahead of Milroe.
Joel Klatt, Fox Sports
Projected Draft Position: Round 1, Pick 29 (TRADE), Cleveland Browns
Mixing in a trade, Klatt predicts the Browns will move up from their Pick No. 33 to Pick No. 29 and draft Dart— and he sees them attaching a fifth-year option to his rookie contract.
“I think Jaxson Dart is very talented. He’s gonna need to grow a little but from a play standpoint because of all the things that were schemed and scripted for him at Ole Miss,” Klatt said on his show April 21.
Eric Edholm, NFL Network
Projected Draft Position: Round 1, Pick 21, Pittsburgh Steelers
Dart is Edholm’s third QB taken off the board. He believes Ward will go to the Titans at No. 1 and Sanders to the Saints at No. 9.
Jordan Reid, ESPN
Projected Draft Position: Round 1, Pick 21, Pittsburgh Steelers
Reid wrote of Dart on April 21:
“With receivers DK Metcalf and George Pickens, Pittsburgh should pursue a young QB who can consistently deliver the ball downfield. Dart’s 80 completions on throws of 20-plus yards were the second most in the FBS over the past three seasons. Learning behind Rodgers would be the ideal outcome for Dart, since he needs time to transition to the NFL from Lane Kiffin’s QB-friendly system.”
Jordan Reid on Jaxson Dart
If a deal for Rodgers doesn’t come to fruition, Dart would be paired in a room with veteran Mason Rudolph, who re-signed with the Steelers this offseason.
Chad Reuter, NFL Network
Projected Draft Position: Round 1, Pick 9, New Orleans Saints
“I considered Dart at this spot even before we learned Derek Carr’s 2025 availability is in doubt thanks to a shoulder injury. Dart would be a good fit with new head coach Kellen Moore, distributing passes from the pocket and running for tough yardage when required in a way that might remind Moore of QBs he’s coached in the NFL before, like Dak Prescott, Justin Herbert, and Jalen Hurts.”
Chad Reuter
Reuter’s prediction of Dart being taken at No. 9 is the highest projected position for the QB among the experts.
Evelyn Van Pelt
Evelyn has covered sports for over two decades, beginning her journalism career as a sports writer for a newspaper in Austin, Texas. She attended Texas A&M and majored in English. Evelyn's love for Ole Miss began when her daughter Katie attended the university on a volleyball scholarship. Evelyn created the Rebel Walk in 2013 and has served as publisher and managing editor since its inception. Email Evie at: Evie@TheRebelWalk.com
