NFL QBs coach dismisses potential concern regarding Jaxson Dart

Considering Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin's unimpressive track record, should NFL teams avoid drafting Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart?

Kiffin coached Matt Corral at Ole Miss and Matt Barkley at USC, who both failed to become viable starters in the NFL. Barkley played for four teams (Bears, Bills, Eagles and Jaguars) in seven seasons, going 2-5 in seven starts. Corral never played in a regular-season game for the Panthers or Patriots and was a practice squad member for the Vikings in 2024.

An NFL QBs coach indicated the struggles of Corral and Barkley shouldn't prevent teams from eyeing Dart.

"I don't think I really have many concerns just because he's shown tools that he can make throws at all three levels of the field," the coach told ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi in a story published Tuesday. "So, once you can show that, then it's just a matter of what he can and can't grasp in the playbook. ... He can't control what he's being asked to do. He has the physical tools to be a good quarterback."

Dart (6-foot-2, 223 pounds) displayed his skills in his final season at Ole Miss. In 13 games, he completed 69.3% of his passes for 4,279 yards and 29 touchdown passes. 

Dart's ability to read defenses could still use improvement. In a piece published March 21, The Athletic's Ted Nguyen noted Kiffin's system often helped the QB's first read get open, and "there weren't many examples of Dart getting through multiple reads on a play." 

However, Dart's football IQ should grow as he gains more experience in the NFL. 

In his latest mock draft, ESPN's Matt Miller has the Los Angeles Rams taking Dart with pick No. 26. Perhaps that's an ideal destination. 

With Rams QB Matthew Stafford in the picture, Dart won't have to start immediately. Plus, Rams head coach Sean McVay — an offensive genius — could unlock the 21-year-old's potential. If he does, that could help change the discourse regarding Kiffin's QBs.