Report: Jaxson Dart could become QB2 in 2025 NFL Draft with strong Combine workout

Since the pre-draft process began, two names emerged as the top quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft. Former Miami star Cam Ward and former Colorado standout Shedeur Sanders are generating perhaps the most buzz since their college careers ended.

But a new name could slot in behind Ward and become QB2 with a strong showing at the NFL Scouting Combine, ESPN’s Matt Miller reported. He spoke with multiple scouts who think Jaxson Dart could move up.

Dart came in as Miller’s QB3 in his latest rankings behind Ward and Sanders, respectively. But the former Ole Miss quarterback’s stock continues to rise following the Senior Bowl, and Miller said some scouts think he can move past Sanders and become the second quarterback to come off the board if he impresses in Indianapolis.

“I think the big conversation, who’s QB3 in the 2025 NFL Draft?” Miller said Thursday on NFL Live. “It seems as if Miami’s Cam Ward has established himself as the top passer. But I’ve talked to three NFL scouts this week who believe Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart has a shot to leave the Combine as QB2, which would push Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders to the third spot in this year’s draft class – which I think would shock all of us. But crazy things happen at the Combine, and a good workout by Jaxson Dart could certainly start to push his rise up.

“I have him ranked as the third quarterback in this draft. But as teams dive into the tape, as they get past things like the Senior Bowl and prep for the Combine, Jaxson Dart definitely has a lot of buzz pushing him up in that direction.”

Why Jaxson Dart is an interesting NFL Draft prospect

During his senior season at Ole Miss this past season, Jaxson Dart emerged as one of the top passers in the country. He ranked third in the nation with 4,279 passing yards to go with 29 touchdowns and six interceptions. His 10.8 pass yards per attempt led the nation.

Dart played in a quarterback-friendly offense at Ole Miss under Lane Kiffin’s watchful eye. As she looked at the tape to evaluate Dart as a prospect, Mina Kimes saw some reason for concern because of the system in which he played. With Shedeur Sanders, she added, she didn’t see as many of those issues.

“It’s shocking, to me,” Kimes said. “I don’t doubt what Matt’s saying at all, but just having watched him. I guess I’ll say this. The numbers are great, but a lot of it is a product of the offense on tape. It’s very heavily schemed up. He does have, I believe, a stronger arm. So I could see a team being maybe interested in the upside there. But we see also questionable decision-making, some problems under pressure, not a lot of anticipatory throws.

“Whereas with Shedeur, while yes, I have some issues with the pocket management – although the offensive line was a big problem – there’s just higher-level quarterbacking on tape. The accuracy, the decision-making, the processing is all there. So it’s easier, for me, to envision his skillset translating to the NFL. But I guess sometimes, teams do like the idea of a more speculative prospect and the upside.”

Other QBs improved their stock at the NFL Combine

As Matt Miller noted, multiple quarterbacks increased their stock at the NFL Scouting Combine the last few years. Most notably, in 2023, former Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud cemented himself as QB2 behind Bryce Young with his showing. Former Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson, on the other hand, became a quick riser up the board as he showcased his traits on the big stage.

That’s why it’s not necessarily unheard of for a quarterback to take a leap in Indianapolis. The question, Miller said, is whether Shedeur Sanders will throw and try to solidify his status as one of the top two quarterbacks.

“We’ve seen it before,” Miller said. “Even a guy like Anthony Richardson with the traits, getting pushed up the draft ahead of some other guys. When I first heard this, my first thought was, ‘Okay, teams are not yet convicted on Shedeur Sanders,’ and they’re headed into the combine wanting their minds to be made up. And I remember that happening with CJ Stroud. There was a lot of talk. Where’s CJ Stroud going to be drafted? He had the great Combine workout, and he solidified himself as the No. 2 quarterback in that class behind Bryce Young.

“So this might be a situation where Shedeur can solidify, but like Travis Hunter, I don’t know how much we’re going to see from either of the top players from Colorado once we actually get to Indianapolis.”