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Mel Kiper Jr. Makes Big QB Change on 2025 NFL Draft Rankings

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nate Lunak | Last updated Mar 17, 2025 1:30 PM ET

One of the biggest questions heading into the 2025 NFL draft set to take place from April 24-26 is which teams will be taking a chance on trying to find a new franchise quarterback.

This year's draft class is considered a weak at the position, with Matt Miller of ESPN giving zero quarterbacks a first-round grade.

However, Mel Kiper Jr., who started annual draft coverage back in 1984, is much higher on a few players than most and in a recent update of his top 25 prospects, Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart moved up to No. 18 after previously being unranked.

"Dart can throw accurate strikes to every level, and he posted some big numbers in Ole Miss' run-pass option-based offense this past season," Kiper wrote. "I saw a few really amazing throws across his body when rolling to his left on the tape, too. And Dart can destroy opponent defenses with his legs, rushing for 655 yards this past season."

That now places him as the third-highest quarterback on Kiper's rankings behind Colorado's Shedeur Sanders (No. 5) and Miami's Cam Ward (No. 6).

Dart is certainly coming off a solid season for the Rebels, completing 276 of 398 passes for 4,279 yards (led SEC), 29 touchdowns, six interceptions and a 180.7 passing efficiency rating (led FBS).

It will now remain to be seen which team takes a chance on the Ole Miss product because even in Kiper's most recent mock draft, he has Dart falling out of the first round.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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