Analyst expands on flaws of Jaxson Dart as draft stock continues to rise

Reports claiming that multiple teams have Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart ahead of Colorado's Shedeur Sanders as the No. 2 QB behind Miami's Cam Ward in the 2025 NFL Draft may overshadow earlier claims that none of this month's draft-eligible quarterbacks deserve first-round grades.

In a piece published Friday, ESPN's Bill Connelly discussed why Dart is probably more of a future project than a 2025 Week 1 starter for whichever team selects him in the draft.

"In four games against the SEC's two most preeminent programs (Alabama and Georgia), he completed 58% of his passes with more interceptions (three) than touchdowns (two) and averaged 5.5 or fewer yards per dropback three times," Connelly wrote about Dart. "In games in which Ole Miss entered with a worse (college football power index) rating than its opponent, he rarely got the Rebels to overachieve (59% completion rate, 6.9 yards per dropback)."

While almost every analyst and reporter predicts that the Tennessee Titans will take Ward with the first overall pick, the alleged draft stocks of Dart and Sanders seem to be moving targets. 

For example, the New York Jets may be "enamored with" Dart so much that they'd take him over Sanders with the seventh selection. Depending on when Sanders goes off the board, the Los Angeles Rams could grab Dart at choice No. 26. The Pittsburgh Steelers (pick No. 21), Cleveland Browns (No. 33) and New York Giants (No. 34) are other possible destinations for Dart. 

One can't help but wonder how much Dart's performance against Florida this past November has impacted how NFL clubs view him this spring.

"Dart went 4-of-10 for 34 yards and two interceptions while trailing in the fourth quarter against the Gators," Connelly added. "Ole Miss had one of the best teams in the country in 2024 but went 0-3 in one-score finishes, and, fairly or unfairly, that lowered perceptions of a QB who was otherwise mostly brilliant in college."

The Browns could play Joe Flacco or Kenny Pickett as Dart develops as a backup throughout the 2025 season. The Giants could sit Dart behind veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston. The Jets have Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor, while the Rams (Matthew Stafford) and Steelers (maybe Aaron Rodgers?) would probably prefer to start Super Bowl champions over Dart. 

As long as those running the team that drafts Dart are honest with themselves about what he is and isn't, he could be an interesting second-year pro to follow in 2026.