Mel Kiper projects Jaxson Dart's landing spot in 2025 NFL Draft
With the NFL Combine in the books and the 2025 NFL Draft creeping ever closer, ESPN analyst Mel Kiper has released another mock draft. He discussed it Tuesday on a draft special on ESPN2.
Kiper has Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart going No. 9 overall to the New Orleans Saints. He explained the pick.
“Kellen Moore, former quarterback, new head coach with the New Orleans Saints,” Kiper said. “You hand pick and bring in my quarterback. We talked about Bo Nix and Sean Payton made sense last year because he saw a little Drew Brees in Bo Nix. If Kellen Moore loves Jaxson Dart you take him at nine.”
That was the primary thing that Kiper hitched his argument on — whether or not Moore loves Jaxson Dart. If he does, a selection inside the top 10 picks could play out.
If not, Jaxson Dart might have to wait a little longer to hear his name called. But the bottom line is New Orleans needs quarterback help.
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“You’re in a division with former No. 1 pick Baker Mayfield, the emerging Bryce Young, Michael Penix Jr. in Atlanta,” Kiper pointed out. “Now you’ve got a guy like Jaxson Dart who can make all the throws.”
Kiper outlined some of Jaxson Dart’s strengths. One is his physical ability.
“6-2, 220-plus pounds, completed 69% of his passes. He was up from 65% the previous year,” Kiper said. “Only six interceptions. He was at 11 interceptions back in 2022. 1,500 rushing yards the last three years at Ole Miss. This kid can beat a defense with his legs. Highly competitive, smart kid. Yes, the RPO offense he’ll have to adjust to in the NFL, away from that as a full-time thing, full-time deal.”
That’s not to say Jaxson Dart is a completely polished player at this point in his career. There’s still quite a good deal he needs to work on.
“Then also layering the football, something all young quarterbacks need to work on,” Kiper said. “He’ll do that. Jaxson Dart there with (Derek) Carr there, the veteran, he will be the bridge. Jaxson Dart to me, if Kellen Moore loves him, you don’t worry about where he’s ranked in mocks or ratings boards around the Internet, you take him at nine if Kellen Moore loves him.”