Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders is projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft by several draft experts. He helped the Buffs to a 9-4 campaign and an Alamo Bowl appearance while winning the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.
Miami QB Cam Ward is considered to be his closest competitor in this draft class, sparking a debate as to who will be the first one off the board. While all eyes have been on Sanders and Ward leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft, former New York Giants QB has another name on his mind.
Former Giants QB Picks Jaxson Dart Over Shedeur Sanders
Sanders and Ward are usually the first two quarterbacks selected in every mock draft, but Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart is another intruiging prospect in this year’s draft. Dart began his collegiate journey with USC before joining Lane Kiffin’s team after just one season. During his three-year stint with the Rebels, Dart put up 10,617 yards and 72 passing touchdowns while also rushing for 1,498 yards and 12 touchdowns.
On Wednesday’s episode of “CBS Sports HQ,” ex-NFL QB turned analyst Danny Kanell revealed that he believes Dart is the second-best quarterback in this year’s draft — over Sanders. Kanell also went on to explain the logic behind his reasoning.
“I think he (Jaxson Dart) is blowing away people with his interview skills with his raw talent, and with the fact that he’s been a multi-year starter in the SEC. The thing I love about him is you saw improvement every single year,” Kanell said.
“Completion percentage went up every single year, yardage went up, touchdown-interception ratio went up. And he elevated Ole Miss to a program where they were consistent winners. I know they missed out on the playoffs this season. But he elevated this program around him.
“Threw the ball a lot around the SEC and durability. Took a lot of shots throughout his career and did not get hurt. Was able to show that he can endure the pounding that you’re gonna have to take in the NFL.”
During his final collegiate season, Dart helped the Ole Miss Rebels to a 10-3 campaign. Unfortunately, they failed to qualify for the first year of the 12-team playoffs.
Giants Select Dart In 1st Round of PFSN’s Latest Mock Draft
In PFSN’s 2025 NFL mock draft, Justin Lewis has the Giants trading up from the second round to select Dart late in the first round, acquiring the No. 31 overall pick from the Kansas City Chiefs.
Here’s what Lewis wrote about the Giants’ projected Dart pick: “In a weak quarterback class, there is potential for Jaxson Dart to go even higher. The Giants appear to have strong interest in Dart as they have looked for stability at the position since another Ole Miss quarterback led them to two Super Bowl victories.
“Eli Manning remains involved with the Giants since his retirement and is a fan of the Rebel senior. Dart had a prolific college career, breaking most of Manning’s passing records at Ole Miss. His bowl game performance and time at the Senior Bowl have caused him to shoot up some draft boards. His deep-ball touch is one of the best in this class, while his grit and athleticism make him a polarizing prospect.”
The Giants have plenty of hole, so it’s very possible they will use the No. 3 selection to fill a different need and then try to land Dart later in the draft.
However, if Dart is wowing teams with his interview skills and has a strong performance at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, perhaps his draft stock will soar and make it tougher for a team like New York to steal him later in the draft.
Dart’s Scouting Report Ahead of 2025 NFL Draft
In his final season with the Rebels, Dart finished with career highs in each significant category, including completion percentage, yards, touchdowns, and QBR, while only accounting for five interceptions.
With 41 starts over four years, the 21-year-old is a seasoned prospect. Dart is a smooth operator and a gritty competitor with little moxie. His dual-threat ability stretches the defense thin and keeps them honest in the RPO game, which is what he does best.
Dart can deliver an accurate ball with touch at all levels of the field and is not afraid to stick in the pocket and deliver a throw in the face of pressure or lower his shoulder in the open field to pick up a few extra yards.
Dart, however, is nothing close to being the perfect prospect. He needs to improve his deep-ball accuracy, arm strength, and refine his mechanics, marrying his eyes, hips, and feet.
I believe Dart has the physical ability to be a quality NFL quarterback. It shows on tape. However, the mental processing, decision-making, and communication required of a quarterback in an NFL offense is not something we’ve seen him do.
Dart’s offense at Ole Miss was predicated on speed and efficiency, running a play every 22 seconds on average. This tempo minimizes responsibility for the QB, eliminates their ability to take a detailed pre-snap scan of the defense, and gives him tunnel vision towards his read key.
The offensive system utilizes one-word and quick-signal play calls to decrease complexity and increase the tempo. Not having to process information in bulk allows players to line up quickly and play fast and free. Most of the checks in this offense come from the coaching staff on the sideline, not requiring the quarterback to ensure that they’re in the right play.
MORE: Jaxson Dart’s Scouting Report, Strengths, Weaknesses, Draft Projection
The system takes a lot of responsibility off of the quarterback’s plate. It’s not to say that Dart isn’t capable of communicating, understanding, processing, and executing wordy play calls, adjusting protection, checking out of a bad play, and quickly working through multiple progressions.
It does mean, however, that he doesn’t have four years of experience operating in a system that requires him to do so. All of which he will have to handle at the next level, thus making the already monumental jump to the NFL that much more difficult.
Dart would be best served to land in an organization where he can sit behind an established starter for a year or two. He has the necessary tools and pedigree to have success in this league, but the transition is likely a lofty hurdle.
Dart’s positional value, combined with a relatively thin and underwhelming quarterback class, will likely push him higher than his performance grade might typically place him. In most years, Dart would likely be a third- or early fourth-round pick, but with the supply and demand at the quarterback position in 2025, there’s a legitimate case for him to be a dark horse who could find his way into the first or early second round.
