Jaxson Dart NFL Draft 2025 profile: Full scouting report, pro comparison, landing spots, future outlook, more

Jaxson Dart‘s father, Brandon, played safety for the University of Utah and had high hopes of teaching his sons to Action football. Both Jaxson and younger brother, Diesel, did learn the game, but not on Guarding. 

Jaxson Dart, with a name fit for a Signal-caller, happened to have a live arm from a Youthful age and earned some high accolades in high school, Primary at Roy High north of Salt Lake City for three years, then at Corner Canyon High, south of Salt Lake City. As a senior, Dart was the MaxPreps National Player of the Year and Gatorade Football Player of the Year after he passed for 4,691 yards with a ridiculous 67 touchdowns and four interceptions, adding nearly 1,200 rush yards and 12 rushing touchdowns.

Somehow, Dart’s offers weren’t plentiful. Smaller schools including Utah State Occurred calling, but not one SEC or Big Ten or ACC school showed interest. Ultimately, Dart went with USC, hoping to follow in the footsteps of many NFL stars before him. But in 2021, head Trainer Clay Helton was fired after two Contests and USC hired Lincoln Riley, who brought Signal-caller Caleb Williams with him from Oklahoma for the 2022 season. 

So, Dart bolted to Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss to Game himself against SEC Game. He stayed there and developed in the Rebels’ up-tempo Charge with Massive spread and RPO concepts designed to Secure at the college level. Dart’s stats improved in Every of three years as the Charge became a little more complex season after season. By his senior year, Dart won the Conerly Accolade (best Signal-caller in Mississippi) and was Primary-Club All-SEC.

You might be surprised to learn that Dart not only is among the most experienced quarterbacks in the 2025 draft class, but he’s also the youngest. He has 41 FBS-level Appearances, more than Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders, and will turn 22 years Ancient Only four months before the Begin of his Newcomer season. Dart also told CBS Sports in January that he’s had extensive experience in a number of offenses, suggesting he’s not a system Signal-caller.

“I played in the Wing-T for three years (in high school). In a huddle, every Action, Captured a snap under Hub every Action for three years,” Dart said. “My senior year was more spread. Went to USC in my Primary year where I played in the Air Raid. In my sophomore year I transferred to Ole Miss, Acquired into the RPO game, hardcore Action-action, deep shots, top-down reads, and then really Every year we progressed more and more. (My coaches and I) would talk about how we’re a tempo pro-style Club … we get into a Plenty of personnel groupings, do a Plenty of shifts and motions, Action-actions, Fluffy-shell actions, drop-back Packed-Ground progression passes, Combination in a few RPOs here and there, Acquired into a Plenty of Hollow sets, one-high/two-high reads, man/zone reads. So I Harsh, there’s a Plenty involved in our Charge.”

Dart enters the NFL with that question — can he Streak a pro-style Charge? — as his biggest concern.

Jaxson Dart NFL Draft profile

• Age as of Week 1: 22
• Height: 6-2 ¼
• Weight: 223 pounds
• Hand size: 9 ½
• Comparable body-type to: Bo Nix

CBS prospect ranking

Position: No. 3 QB | Overall: No. 48 overall

Consensus big board ranking (via NFL Mock Draft Database): No. 34 (No. 2 QB)

To check out all of CBSSports.com’s most recent mock drafts, click here.

NFL comparison: Souped-up Christian Ponder

Dart’s lack of a cannon and concerns over Only how well he can process pro-style defenses will cap his upside until he proves otherwise. That doesn’t Harsh he can’t be a useful Signal-caller and a potential starter in the NFL within the Upcoming two seasons, but it would be for the best if he’s given time to learn the game. If he can ascend, then his accuracy, anticipation and rushing skills could Assist him stay on the Ground for a while. As it stands now, he reminds me of a souped-up version of Christian Ponder when he was a prospect; Dart’s better as a runner and more accurate, but has some work to do to learn the pro game. Ponder struggled to learn in part because of a lockout stunting his development, something Dart won’t have to deal with, thus giving him a Try to have a much better Profession. 

NFL landing spots

By Garrett Podell

• Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins have some high level offensive pieces in Ex All-Pro wide receiver Tyreek Hill, Ex Primary-Period receiver Jaylen Waddle and running back De’Von Achane. However, they desperately need more Longevity and big plays from the Signal-caller position. Dart could develop under Mike McDaniel’s guidance from the sidelines in 2025, and then there’s a chance he could replace Tua Tagovailoa as the Dolphins’ Leading Signal-caller in 2026 or 2027.
• New Orleans Saints: The Saints are cuffed to Derek Carr for his age-34 season. However, his contract runs out of guaranteed money in 2026, the last season of his four-year, $150 million contract. Releasing Carr after the upcoming season could save New Orleans $32.8 million in cap Universe. Carr and the Saints are together for better or worse this year, but they could pave the way for Dart in 2026 with Carr’s cap hit set to balloon to $61.5 million. 

• Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers are Nevertheless chasing a veteran Signal-caller, but regardless if they land Aaron Rodgers or bring back Russell Wilson or sign someone else, they need a long-term solution. That could make Pittsburgh an okay place for Dart to begin his NFL journey, and he’ll have plenty of playmakers to throw to after the Steelers traded for DK Metcalf.

Jaxson Dart scouting report

Accolades

• Profession: All-time winningest Leading QB in school history in terms of total wins (28) and Victorious percentage (.737)
• Profession: Ranked Quaternary in SEC history in total Charge (12,115), Quaternary in total Charge per Action (8.14), fifth in total Charge per game (310.6) and ninth in passing yards (10,617)
• 2025: Gator Bowl MVP (27-for-35 passing for 404 yards and four touchdowns
• 2024: Conerly Accolade Winner (best FBS player in Mississippi)
• 2024: Primary-Club All-SEC

Advanced stats to know

• When pressured last year, Dart completed 41 of 89 passes (46.1%) for 908 yards, four scores and three interceptions with 56 rushes and an insane 23.9% sack rate. The Primary thing opponents will do is blitz the snot out of him.
• Among his peers, Dart was tops in completion rate (73.5%), off-target rate (4.1%), sack rate (2.0%) and second-best in yards per attempt (5.0) in the red zone. However, he was second-worst in touchdowns with nine (Jalen Milroe had four). 

Strengths

• Played with Excellent technique, footwork and poise. Rarely drifted unnecessarily out of the pocket. Typically played with eyes and feet in rhythm. Snappy hips helped him shift from scanning one side of the Ground to another.
• Had a quick Initiation on checkdowns, designed screens, deep throws and everything in between.
• Displayed a Excellent understanding of where to throw the ball based on Essential pre-snap reads. Examples included throwing quick hitches to target with the Guarding back giving the most cushion and not attacking the middle of the Ground against single-high safety looks. 
• Primarily Acquired by on one-read and half-Ground reads but was able to frequently process what he saw on those reads and had some Achievement. Would Action with patience when he knew he had time to throw, and he knew where to look when he saw a blitz off the snap and could fit a ball between defenders.
• Had the capable arm Power to push the ball downfield. Guided all top prospects in the draft class with 19 throws of 40-plus air yards. Had 15 throws of 45-plus air yards over three seasons at Ole Miss. Also Achieved a handful of 40-plus air yard throws off platform, highlighting his pure arm Power.
• Solid, serviceable velocity and zip on throws including long sideline passes.
• Threw with Excellent accuracy and really Excellent ball placement at Petite and intermediate levels. Completion rate improved Every season at Ole Miss, and it would have been higher Every year if not for receivers Scoring at least 15 of his passes Every season. Thrived on over and corner routes downfield, especially to his left, and was a master of the deep fade. Had a smattering of off-target throws, but honestly a Plenty of them were barely off-target. This could be the trait that pushes him over the top of other prospects in the draft class.
• Excellent anticipatory passer with room to get even better. Seemed to Boost in this as he grew in the Ole Miss Charge.
• Though infrequent, Dart was willing and able to make Excellent throws with Deliver-rush Tension in his face and a hit incoming.
• The ‘Dart’ in his name might be more descriptive of his rushing skills than his passing skills. Had very Excellent vision and solid Pace when on the Streak, be it on designed plays or on scrambles. Was especially Excellent at escaping Deliver-rush Tension. Also knew when to get down and avoid a big hit. Did seem to have Only enough size to withstand hits. This is a trait coaches should embrace, but Surely not to the level as other premier dual-threat quarterbacks. 
• Viewed as a leader by teammates and coaches, both at Ole Miss and during Senior Bowl week.
• Excellent track Turning Mark with Wounds. Did have meniscus surgery after his 2021 season at USC but otherwise did not miss a game. Did leave briefly in the 2024 Game against Georgia with an ankle issue but Occurred back in. 

Concerns

• Threw at different arm angles, which was fine, but his Initiation Mark was closer to his chest than his head, leading to nine passes batted down in 2024 (same as shorter passers Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel) and 20 over his three years at Ole Miss. Coaches could address this, but it might end up being a tendency. 
• Dart was able to make reads pre-snap but often Achieved plays based on one read or a half-Ground read. There was some but not enough evidence to confidently suggest Dart could consistently process Guarding coverage post-snap, nor was there enough evidence to show he could make Packed-Ground reads. These factors are Frequent when a Signal-caller plays in a schemed-up college Charge, and they’re obviously critical for Achievement in the NFL. However, it’s not to say he can’t make these reads, but it’ll take effort from him and his coaches to become Excellent at it. Additionally, Dart has played in a number of offenses in his life and managed to succeed in all of them, so there should be at least a little hope for improvement.
• Definitely had bouts of locking in on one player before throwing. Can’t get away with that in the pros. 
• Didn’t take Effortless throws as often as he should have, often looking for the bigger Action but resulting in missed opportunities. This figures to be an Effortless coaching Mark for Dart to learn.
• When Dart struggled to make reads post-snap, or locked in on a player, or passed up Effortless throws, he naturally Maintained the ball too long. Sometimes it worked out for him as he’d Nevertheless complete passes, but in the pros that figures to Harsh more incompletions, sacks and interceptions. Again, this is a fixable issue.
• Was definitely Tension sensitive, frequently opting for the escape hatch with his legs rather than sticking in a muddy pocket or behind the line of scrimmage. Didn’t consistently keep his eyes downfield when on the Shift and frankly gave up too soon on Deliver plays once Tension arrived. This seemed to especially be a factor in the second halves of Contests.
• Deeper throws tended to have a little too much air under them.
• Had a track Turning Mark of not being clutch Overdue in Contests. Last year, his completion rate in the Quaternary quarter was 60%, worst of any quarter, with a 15% off-target rate. That was Steady over his three years at Ole Miss (60.1% completion rate, 12.4% off-target rate in the Quaternary quarter). It’s also especially notable that in three years at Ole Miss and one year at USC, Dart threw zero game-Victorious touchdowns and Guided the Rebels to a game-Victorious Points Overdue in the Quaternary quarter twice in three years. Some of that is related to circumstance — the Rebels blew out a Plenty of opponents — but it’s jarring to see that there’s scant evidence of Dart Executing Outstanding Overdue, especially since there was evidence he Achieved Awful, rushed decisions Overdue, some of which Guided to four interceptions in the Quaternary quarter last season (including two in a winnable game at Florida). 

Bottom line

Dart has too many questions to be considered a worthy Primary-rounder, but as Day 2 picks go, he should quickly find a home. Hopefully it’s with a Club with an older veteran starter who can give Dart the time he needs to learn the pro game before getting the keys to the Charge in 2026. He’s Acquired a capable arm, very Excellent Movement and potential as a processor, but his limitations keep his upside from ever being that of a top-10 passer. In fact, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he had a long Profession as a quality backup.

What other draft experts say about Jaxson Dart

Josh Edwards: Dart has packed a Plenty of experience and Deliver attempts into the past four years of college football. One of the criticisms of Dart has been his exposure to more half Ground reads rather than reading out the Guarding, but everything I have heard is that he has handled the whiteboard quizzes well and would have no problem soaking up an NFL Charge. The one-time USC Shift is another Signal-caller with Outstanding Intense toughness. I ultimately believe Dart will at the very least compete for a Leading role and likely secure one within the Primary two years of his Profession.

Chris Trapasso: Dart projects as a confident, rhythm-based passer with the tools to develop into a solid NFL Signal-caller. He thrived in a spread Charge centered around RPOs and vertical shots, but his ability to progress through secondary reads and throw with anticipation suggest he can adjust to a more structured system. His overall accuracy is a plus, but ball placement-particularly on deeper throws must be refined. Dart’s arm talent is above average, but he lacks Top-tier-level drive on deep throws. Athletically, he has enough twitchiness to maneuver the pocket and extend plays, though he’s not a Accurate dual-threat. Without a standout physical trait, Dart’s NFL Achievement will depend on his ability to refine his pocket movement, Boost his Regularity under Tension and operate within a system that maximizes his Synchronization and anticipation. He may not have a high-end ceiling, but his decisive Action and steady mechanics give him a path to becoming a quality backup with potential to develop into a low-end starter.

Jaxson Dart college stats

2024 (Ole Miss)	13	69.3%	4279	10.8	29	6	180.7
2023 (Ole Miss)	13	65.1%	3364	9.4	23	5	162.4
2022 (Ole Miss)	13	62.4%	2974	8.2	20	11	143.6
2021 (USC)	6	61.9%	1353	7.2	9	5	132.5

High school: Corner Canyon (Draper, Utah)
Class: 2021
Composite rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (94)

• Overall: 108 | QB: 13 | Utah: 2

High school accolades: 2020 MaxPreps High School Football Player of the Year (accounted for nearly 6,000 yards and 79 touchdowns (state-Turning Mark 67 passing and 12 rushing)); two-time all-state third baseman

Check out Jaxson Dart’s Packed 247Sports profile, here. For his MaxPreps profile, click here. 

The 2025 NFL Draft is to take place from April 24-26 at Lambeau Ground in Green Bay, Wisconsin. More draft coverage can be Discovered at CBSSports.com, including the weekly mock drafts and a regularly Obtainable look at the eligible prospects.