Draft guru explains why AFC North team should target Jaxson Dart

With the Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback situation remaining uncertain, they should consider addressing it in the 2025 NFL Draft. 

In his latest mock draft, ESPN's Field Yates has the Steelers taking Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart with pick No. 21, which seems like a slight reach. However, Yates indicated Dart is climbing draft boards, and the Steelers could miss out if they don't take a flier.

"The streets are definitely about the potential for a third quarterback going into round one, and that quarterback being Jaxson Dart," Yates said Monday on "First Draft." "[The Steelers] owe it to [Mike Tomlin]. They owe it to T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward and all their great defensive players to take a swing on a quarterback."

Since former Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger retired in 2022, Pittsburgh has sought the answer.

The Steelers drafted QB Kenny Pickett with pick No. 20 in 2022, but he posted a subpar 78.8 passer rating in two seasons with the club. After trading Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024, the Steelers signed QBs Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. 

Fields went 4-2 in six starts and posted an above-average 93.3 passer rating in 10 games played. Wilson, meanwhile, was 6-5 in 11 starts, logging a 95.6 passer rating. 

Wilson and Fields are unrestricted free agents this offseason, and the Steelers aren't expected to keep both QBs. Mark Kaboly of "The Pat McAfee Show" recently told KDKA-FM in Pittsburgh that Steelers owner Art Rooney II prefers Wilson, which could determine their decision.

Even if the Steelers re-sign Fields or Wilson, they should keep an eye on Dart at the NFL Scouting Combine, scheduled for Feb. 24-March 3 in Indianapolis. In three seasons with Ole Miss, he broke former New York Giants QB Eli Manning's school record for passing yards (10,617).

The Steelers haven't won a playoff game in eight years. To end the drought, they must find a franchise QB. Dart could be an intriguing option.