New York Giants select Jaxson Dart in first round of 2025 NFL Draft

Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart has heard his name called in the 2025 NFL Draft. The New York Giants selected him in the first round. New York traded up from the second round to secure Dart, giving up the 34th pick, a 2025 third-rounder and a future sixth-round pick to the Houston Texans for pick No. 25.

Dart put together a decorated career at Ole Miss after transferring from USC. He became the program’s all-time leader in passing yards, breaking Eli Manning’s previous record. In 2024, he led the nation with 10.8 pass yards per attempt while totaling 4,279 yards and 29 touchdowns.

Dart’s numbers improved every year in Oxford under Lane Kiffin’s watch. He threw for 2,974 yards and 29 touchdowns in his first year in 2022 after transferring, and he took a leap forward with 3,364 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2023. That set the stage for his impressive 2024 campaign, and his draft stock took a leap, as well.

Dart played high school football at Draper (UT) Corner Canyon, where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 42 overall player and No. 7-ranked quarterback from the 2021 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Jaxson Dart

While at Ole Miss, Jaxson Dart played in a heavy run-pass-option scheme. That led to questions about how well he’d transition to the NFL in a pro-style offense, although he appeared to calm those concerns after the Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine.

The physical traits are impressive, however, according to NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein. Dart’s ability to make plays with his legs – while avoiding the “running quarterback” label – as well as his big arm were sure to stand out to teams during the evaluation process.

“Three-year SEC starter who saw improvement in play and production season after season,” Zierlein wrote. “Dart has a stocky build and average physical attributes but good makeup and intangibles. He’s fairly accurate and rarely overcomplicates things for himself. He won’t strike anyone as a running quarterback, but he can find tough yards on the ground.

“He can make full-field reads but looks more comfortable grazing from the trough of the simple. He will need to work with better anticipation and decisiveness to win in tight windows as a pro. Teams might see physical and play similarities between Dart and Brock Purdy but such a pathway for Dart likely requires a balanced, ball-control passing attack that allows him to manage the game instead of driving it.