Jaxson Dart’s status has risen in the weeks leading up to the NFL Draft, and one reporter believes the former Ole Miss star will be selected in the first round on Thursday night. Most observers rank Dart as the second- or third-best quarterback in the 2025 draft, trailing Cam Ward and/or Shedeur Sanders. Ward is nearly certain to be picked first overall by the Tennessee Titans, but there is little consensus on what will happen after that.
According to CBS Sports’ Aditi Kinkhabwala, Dart has a good chance of becoming a top-10 choice. Kinkhabwala stated on Thursday that she was told Dart’s floor is pick No. 9, when the New Orleans Saints will be on the clock. “What I’m being told is that Jaxson Dart is not going to fall beyond that No. 9 pick and the Saints,” Kinkhabwala told reporters. “Someone may conceivably go over the Saints to grab him, but I’m not hearing that right now. That is a selection that Kellen Moore particularly enjoys.”
If that happens, Dart is extremely likely to be taken ahead of Sanders, possibly far ahead. Derek Carr’s shoulder injury has called into question his availability for the 2025 season. Following the announcement, New Orleans has been linked to Sanders, Dart, and one other elite quarterback prospect. There is a growing idea that new Saints head coach Kellen Moore would be aggressive in his search for a future quarterback. Dart topped the SEC in 2024 with 4,279 throwing yards. He also threw 29 touchdown passes and six interceptions for Ole Miss, which finished 10-3 on the season.
Dart topped the SEC in 2024 with 4,279 throwing yards. He also threw 29 touchdown passes and six interceptions for Ole Miss, which finished 10-3 on the season. Dart was projected as a second-round choice at best after the collegiate season, but his arrow has been pointing up since then. He must be pleased to hear that numerous teams are interested in drafting him in the top ten.