2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jaxson Dart

Last Updated: 03/01/2025

Career Stats 

Summary  

After starting his career at USC, Jaxson Dart transferred to Ole Miss, where he ended up with 28 career wins as a starter, a school record. In three years, Dart steadily improved, reaching career-highs as a passer, completing 69.3% of his passes while amassing 4,279 yards and 29 touchdowns – all top-two marks in the SEC. Over his career, he has shown dual-threat ability, amassing over 1,500 rushing yards and double-digit touchdowns. 

Dart has developed into one of the best RPO passers in the college game. Most of his snaps have come from shotgun, so there are justifiable concerns about how he will operate under center. With a prototypical 6-foot-2, 225-pound frame, he has no difficulties scanning the field over bigger offensive linemen. This size also helps him throw over these defenders on quick RPO routes. He operates best in rhythm where he can release the ball at the top of his drop. With a quick release and fluid upper-body mechanics, he is accurate in the short-to-intermediate areas more often than not. When everything is clicking, he has great touch and velocity on his throws. We also see him lay in a deep ball outside the hashes with good accuracy and timing. There will always be questions if his arm is strong enough to test NFL defenses in the deep areas of the field with regularity. This stems from some underthrow balls to open receivers into the deeper portions of the field, especially to the far hashes. 

We see issues arise for Dart when there is pressure or even simulated pressures. His mechanics break down easily in these spots, resulting in a separation of his base and upper body. This leads to him trying to place the ball into the target instead of letting it rip, which causes inaccuracy. We also see him get almost lazy in his mechanics, which sometimes forces balls astray, leading to takeaway opportunities. We also see him late to throw at times, leading to improper ball placement, making it harder for his players and limiting their YAC abilities. 

Dart also offers tremendous rushing upside, amassing over 1,500 yards on the ground in his career. He was often used in quarterback powers and RPO runs to expose undisciplined defenders. At the NFL level, he will not be Jayden Daniels or even Josh Allen, but he can offer something similar to Trevor Lawrence or Justin Herbert’s mobility. More importantly, this allows him to evade pressure and navigate the pocket well. We also see him throw on the run easily, and he has shown the ability to flip his hips and fire ropes into tight windows. 

Overall, Dart’s main issue will be consistency. When everything is clicking, he looks like one of the best quarterbacks in this class. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. His issues can be coached and refined to allow him to take the next step, but there will be some bumps and bruises in his development. 

Strengths 

• Quick release 
• Accurate in the short to intermediate areas 
• Dual-threat ability 

Weaknesses 

• Arm Strength 
• Consistent mechanics 
• Deep-ball accuracy

Honors and awards 

• Conerly Trophy Winner (2024)
• All-America Honorable Mention (Phil Steele, CFN) (2024)
• All-SEC First Team (Coaches, Phil Steele, CFN) (2024)
• USA Today All-SEC (2024)
• All-SEC Honorable Mention (College Football Network) (2023)

 Athletic Testing 

• 40-yard dash: TBD
• Vertical: TBD
• Broad Jump: TBD
• Three-cone: TBD
• Shuttle: TBD
• Bench: TBD

NFL Role Prediction

• Developmental Winning Starter 

Fantasy Outlook 

It is likely that Jaxson Dart earns first-round draft capital, and with this should come significant fantasy value. He should get a shot to start somewhere in 2025, which should generate viable fantasy numbers. His mobility will give him a safe floor if his team utilizes this – and I don’t see why not. As a passer, the numbers may not be there early on, but with some refinement, there is a chance he can become a weekly top-15 fantasy quarterback.

Player Comparisons 

• Bo Nix 
• Tua Tagovailoa
• Trevor Lawrence