Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart built a strong case to warrant consideration as the third-ranked quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft class behind Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders. He faces competition for that spot on the Big Board from Alabama’s Jalen Milroe and Texas’ Quinn Ewers.
Did the former 4-star USC commit do enough during his college career to land in the first round on April 24?
Jaxson Dart 2025 NFL Draft Profile
Key Prospect Information
Position: Quarterback
Height: 6′ 2”
Weight: 225 Pounds
School: University of Mississippi
Strengths
- Throws a clean ball, especially on short and intermediate routes
- Navigates the pocket well, can escape when opponent lacks lane integrity
- Powerful legs make him an effective runner despite modest speed
- Reads defensive fronts well, particularly in RPO situations
- Delivers quickly, accurately when first read is open
- Embraced leadership role during final year with Rebels
- Development never stopped in college, bodes well for continued improvement
- Strong Senior Bowl proved he doesn’t shy away from competition
Weaknesses
- Deep ball lacks the zip you’d expect from an elite quarterback
- Too often locks on first read, must improve speed of progression
- Willingness to test tight windows could become issue against NFL defenses
- Learning to play under center could be a growth pain point
- Lazy footwork at times, including on some clean-pocket snaps
- Can hold the ball too long leading to avoidable sacks
Projection: Late-Rising First Round Pick
Bottom Line on Jaxson Dart
Dart is one of the 2025 draft class’ most intriguing prospects. He arrived to USC as a raw playmaker with ample untapped potential. Although he made steady progress across four years with the Trojans and Rebels, he’s still far from a finished product.
Here’s a look at his final college stats after one year at USC and three at Ole Miss:
- Passing: 65.2 percent completion rate, 266 yards per game, 81 touchdowns, 27 interceptions
- Rushing: 1,541 yards, 3.9 yards per carry, 14 touchdowns
He ranked fourth the country in ESPN’s Total QBR (84.7) during his senior season.
Jaxson Dart’s Advanced Analytics:
➖11.9 Average Depth of Target
➖7.1% Big Time Throw Rate
➖10.7 Yards Per AttemptThey were ALL better than Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders
The most impressive part? Jaxson Dart accomplished this while having LESS time to throw (2.77) than them pic.twitter.com/ccWkMBPMGU
— Austin Abbott (@AustinAbbottFF) February 14, 2025
Dart doesn’t project as a Day 1 starter in the NFL. The Utah native must get comfortable with the center exchange after playing almost exclusively in shotgun with the Rebels. He’ll also benefit from some low-pressure practices to acclimate to coverage speed at the next level.
That said, the tools are there. His throws to the short and intermediate level are pro quality, and his deep ball is appealing to the eye, though it could use a little more pace. He’s also flashed scrambling ability, which is basically a necessity in the modern NFL.
The Seattle Seahawks, who own the No. 18 overall pick, are an ideal fit on paper.
Geno Smith is entering the final season of a three-year, $75 million contract. It features an untenable $44.5 million salary-cap hit for 2025. The Seahawks can give him a two-year extension that reduces this year’s cap hit and eases Dart’s development timetable.
Perhaps Dart is ready by late in his rookie season or maybe Seattle decides it’s best to wait until 2026, when he could have an entire training camp to work as the starter before taking over the offense. Either way, having Smith as a mentor will help the cause.
Jaxson Dart has LEGIT arm talent.
Velocity, touch, arm angles, and arm strength are all there.
I won’t say much more than that… for now. pic.twitter.com/ppC9aKF7gk
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) February 15, 2025
Regardless, whether it’s the Seahawks or another organization, a little of patience will be necessary if the Ole Miss product is going to work over the long haul.
Dart may never become an MVP-caliber quarterback. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him eventually earn a few Pro Bowl selections as part of a successful NFL career, though.
Main Photo; Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
