Andrew Buller-Russ
When the 2025 NFL offseason began, many approached the 2025 NFL Draft with the mindset that there are only two quarterbacks worth a first-round pick. That narrative is slowly changing, thanks to the emergence of the University of Mississippi’s Jaxson Dart.
Dart entered the pre-draft process stuck behind University of Miami’s Cam Ward and University of Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders. One NFL GM already predicted Dart could leap ahead of Sanders once the first round of the NFL Draft gets underway on April 24, but how does that projection look after the NFL Combine?
Related: 2025 NFL mock draft: Is Jaxson Dart a first-round pick?
Jaxson Dart’s NFL Draft stock lands him in top half of first round
Shedeur Sanders opted not to participate in NFL Combine drills and athletic tests. His loss was Jaxson Dart’s gain, who decided to stand tall and throw in front of NFL evaluators.
Dart impressed during all aspects of testing, not only during the combine but also during the Senior Bowl, so much so that now he’s “solidified” his status as a first-round QB.
Now after his NFL Combine showing, The Athletic’s Jeff Howe reports that at least two NFL teams view Dart as a prospect who could be selected in the top half of the first round.
“Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart is a name to watch. Teams believed Dart solidified himself as a first-rounder during his week at the Senior Bowl. And last week at the combine, two teams strongly believed Dart would be taken in the top half of the opening round.”
The Athletic on Jaxson Dart
The top-half of the first-round projection makes some sense, considering all the teams that currently need a new starter for the 2025 season. Those include: Tennessee (No. 1 pick), Cleveland (No. 2), New York Giants (No. 3), Las Vegas (No. 6), New York Jets (No. 7), New Orleans (may need a QB in 2026 No. 9). Then there are other teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers at 21 who could be trying to secure a QB.
All it takes is one team to fall in love with Dart to make him a first-round pick.
Related: NFL GM makes bold claim regarding Shedeur Sanders and Jaxson Dart’s draft stock
