Skip to main content
Join Now

Mel Kiper Jr. addresses NFL Draft ‘wildcard’ Jaxson Dart, best fit in first round

Grant Grubbs Profile Pictureby:Grant Grubbs•04/22/25•

grant_grubbs_

nfl-combine-espns-field-yates-assesses-jaxson-darts-chance-to-land-in-1st-round-of-nfl-draft
Jan 2, 2025; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) drops back to pass against the Duke Blue Devils in the second quarter during the Gator Bowl at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

With the 2025 NFL Draft only two days away, Jaxson Dart‘s future remains uncertain. While some experts believe the former Ole Miss quarterback could sneak up in the draft, others don’t expect to hear his name called within the first 20 picks. Last week, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. revealed where he expects Dart to land in the draft.

“There are some that think he could go ahead of Shedeur [Sanders]. I’m not buying that,” Kiper said. “I like Jaxson Dart, love Shedeur Sanders. That’s why at [pick No. 9], Shedeur goes to the Saints. That puts Jaxson Dart in kind of no man’s land as we call it.

“Because outside of the Steelers, who Adam Schefter said is not going to take Jaxson Dart at [pick No. 21] — said that about a month ago, correct? If you’re going to listen to Adam on that — we always do because he’s always right — then [Dart] is down to the Rams.”

With quarterback Matthew Stafford now 37 years old, the Rams will need a new quarterback sooner rather than later, and Dart could be a legitimate option. After all, Dart has proven he’s capable of succeeding against top competition.

At Ole Miss last season, Dart completed 69.3% of his pass attempts for 4,279 yards and 29 touchdowns while only throwing six interceptions. In the ground game, he recorded 495 rushing yards and three scores.

Dart boasts NFL size, too. At 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, Dart won’t have any problems seeing over the offensive line at the next level, or absorbing a hit from time to time. In Kiper’s eyes, the Los Angeles Rams biggest need is at cornerback, not QB. Of course, Rams head coach Sean McVay might not agree.

“[Does McVay] love Jaxson Dart enough to say, ‘He fell in our lap at [pick No. 26]. We had him ranked at 12 on our board. He’s the quarterback. He’s the heir to Matthew Stafford,'” Kiper said. “That would override a positional need.”

Stafford’s age didn’t affect him too much last season. He still notched 3,762 passing yards and 20 touchdowns compared to eight interceptions. However, if the Rams aren’t ready to resign Stafford to the bench, they could still draft Dart and have the veteran QB mentor the Ole Miss legend.

Dart won’t have to wait much longer to find out where his next football home is. The NFL Draft will take place from April 24-26 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.