Jaxson Dart NFL Draft: Scouting Report For Mississippi QB

Jaxson Dart NFL Draft watch has begun. He has emerged as a compelling quarterback prospect for the 2025 NFL Draft, showcasing a strong arm, mobility, and the ability to create plays under pressure. Impressively, the Ole Miss signal-caller thrives both inside and outside the pocket, making him a dynamic threat in modern offensive schemes. While his physical tools are undeniable, improving his decision-making, accuracy, and adaptability to pro-style concepts will be key to his rise in the 2025 NFL Draft rankings..

Jaxson Dart 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Dart arrived at Ole Miss in 2022 after a brief stint at USC, where he flashed potential as a freshman but sought a bigger stage. A former Gatorade National Player of the Year out of Corner Canyon High School in Utah, Dart brought a reputation as a prolific passer and a gritty competitor. Under Lane Kiffin’s tutelage, he became one of the SEC’s most productive quarterbacks, finishing his Rebels career with over 10,000 passing yards and a legacy as the program’s all-time passing leader. His final season in 2024 showcased a polished version of the dual-threat talent that made him a high school legend, positioning him as a polarizing yet intriguing NFL prospect.

HT: 6022
WT: 223
HAND: 948
ARM: 3000
40: 4.64

Strengths

• Rhythm and Timing: Dart thrives when he’s in sync with the offense. He’s a quick-twitch passer with a snappy release, delivering the ball on time to his first read in Kiffin’s up-tempo scheme. His ability to hit slants, curls, and crossing routes with precision keeps drives alive.
• Athleticism and Toughness: At 225 pounds, Dart has the build of a running back and plays like it. He’s a willing and effective runner, both on designed keepers and when scrambling, often lowering his shoulder to fight for extra yards. His 1,498 career rushing yards at Ole Miss highlight his dual-threat upside.
• Arm Talent: Dart doesn’t have an elite cannon, but his arm is strong for the NFL. He can push the ball vertically with good zip, especially on seam routes and deep outs, and he shows nice touch on layered throws over the middle.
• Competitive Fire: You don’t break Eli Manning’s records without some grit. Dart’s a gamer—evident in his willingness to take hits, rally his teammates, and perform in clutch moments. His 28-10 record as a starter speaks to his leadership.
• Improved Decision-Making: From 11 interceptions in 2022 to just 6 in 2024 (with 29 TDs), Dart has cut down on mistakes while maintaining an aggressive style. He’s learned to balance risk and reward, a critical step for his pro transition.

Areas for Improvement

• Progression Processing: Ole Miss’s offense leaned heavily on one-read concepts, RPOs, and schemed-up throws, often masking Dart’s need to work through full-field progressions. He can hesitate or force throws late when forced off his initial target, leading to sacks or turnovers.
• Pocket Presence: While tough, Dart sometimes abandons clean pockets too early, opting to scramble rather than step up and deliver. His footwork can get sloppy under pressure, causing accuracy to dip on off-platform throws.
• Arm Strength Ceiling: Dart’s velocity is solid but not exceptional. He struggles to drive the ball into tight windows on the boundary, and some of his deeper shots lack the juice to beat NFL-caliber safeties.
• System Dependency: Kiffin’s fast-paced, shotgun-heavy attack gave Dart a cushy platform—lots of open receivers and minimal pre-snap responsibility. Adjusting to under-center drops, complex protections, and detailed pre-snap reads will be a steep learning curve.
• Inconsistency vs. Elite Defenses: Dart’s completion percentage and efficiency dipped against top-tier SEC foes like Georgia and LSU. He’ll need to prove he can dissect sophisticated coverages at the next level.

Conclusion

Dart’s a tantalizing mix of polish and potential—a quarterback who’s already won big but has clear hurdles to clear. He’s not the cleanest prospect in the 2025 class, but his upside makes him worth the gamble.

Dart’s a high-ceiling, medium-floor prospect. He’d thrive in a spread-offense system that incorporates RPOs and play-action—think the Eagles with Jalen Hurts or the Dolphins with Tua Tagovailoa. Teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers (needing a long-term answer) or the Las Vegas Raiders (seeking a spark) could target him late in Round 1 or early Day 2, but he grades out as a Late Day 2 prospect. His success hinges on coaching that can harness his athletic gifts while sharpening his mental game. Dart could develop into a top-15 NFL starter if he lands with a patient staff. If not, he risks topping out as a high-end backup.

Like Jake Plummer, the former Cardinals and Broncos QB, Dart combines mobility, toughness, and a gunslinger mentality. He’s not a pure pocket passer but can win with his legs and opportunistic arm. Plummer needed time to refine his game; Dart might too.

Round Grade: 3rd Round

Stats: Per Sports Reference

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