Mel Kiper Jr. reveals where he views Jaxson Dart in conversations ahead of NFL Draft

QB Jaxson Dart continues to trend upward ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft. That comes from analysts like Mel Kiper Jr. who think more and more highly of him as this draft comes closer.

On ‘First Draft’ on Monday, Field Yates broke down his Top-50 overall prospects in this draft class. That included Dart at 35th overall, which would put him third among quarterbacks.

“I’ve got Jaxons Dart at 35th overall here,” Yates said. “I just talked about conviction earlier with Shedeur Sanders. I don’t have the same level of conviction on Jaxson Dart. I’m sure you have the same traits in mind that you like.

With that, Kiper Jr. gave his assessment saying Dart would be twice that for him as he’d project him anywhere from No. 15 through No. 17 among the prospects. That’s with everything on his resumé and what he’s shown in four college seasons, especially if he can further develop all that at the next level with the right team taking him as a current backup with the chance to be their future starter.

“He’s going to fall right in that 15, 16, 17 range on my big board. Jaxson Dart has a really good skillset and he has the attitude, the approach I like. And, I think you look at the ability to come from that RPO offense? I think he has that talent,” Kiper Jr. said. “I think he’s the kind of guy you talk about, if he gets in the right offense and he gets a year to basically sit and watch and learn, has a little bit of time and isn’t force fed, like we expect some quarterbacks to automatically be? With him, I think the time will be there if he goes to the right organization.”

“Jaxson Dart – his legs are phenomenal. I mean, he can beat you athletically with his speed. He can kill a defense in that area on third down and, in situations where you’re in man, he can go for a lot of yards. And the arm strength is good. There’s nothing wrong with his arm. Some of the throws he makes against his body are phenomenal. None of these other quarterbacks – Shedeur, Cam Ward – have made some of those dramatic, awe-inspiring throws that Jaxson Dart did during the course of this past season and, really, during his career at Ole Miss once he left USC,” Kiper Jr. continued.

Dart is now seen somewhere between the second- or third-best quarterback in this class. That’s with him continuing to make a mark on teams ahead of the draft in three weeks time as the calendar turns to April.

“I think, Jaxson Dart? I wouldn’t say he grows on you. But, the more you watch him, the more you say, ‘Wow, why is he ranked so low?'” Kiper Jr. said.

“You haven’t moved him up much. I have a little bit,” Kiper Jr. said. “Jaxson Dart, to me, is very intriguing. I like the skillset and I love the mindset as well with this kid.”