By Ross Jackson
The New Orleans Saints’ NFL Draft quarterback carousel continues to spin — and spin wildly. From Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders to Syracuse’s Kyle McCord, Alabama’s Jalen Milroe to Texas’ Quinn Ewers, it feels like the Saints are expected to draft seven or eight different quarterbacks this year.
That, of course, won’t be the case. But walking away with one at all would be news enough. And one of the quarterbacks the SaInts have been tied to the most throughout this process has been Ole Miss passer Jaxson Dart.
Whether it’s at No. 9 overall or through a trade into the late first round, the Saints have been mocked to land Dart in various scenarios.
In truth, New Orleans hasn’t shied away from showing interest in the Rebel passer.
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Dart has spent “considerable time” with multiple teams throughout the offseason process, the Saints included.
The Saints were able to get an up-close look at him at this year’s Senior Bowl all-star game. Later, head coach Kellen Moore personally traveled to Oxford to see his pro day. Simply put: the Saints have been just about everywhere Dart has been throughout the process. They have signaled real interest in the player.
The reasons are clear. Dart is a talented quarterback with some mobile capabilities that allow him to be comfortable working out of structure and to create secondary passer attempts, a must in today’s NFL at the position. He has also proven to be durable and reliable under pressure with a willingness to stand and deliver when pocket movement is limited.
If I was a team and could sit down and watch film with Dart for 10 mins I’d watch this
I see Dart very differently than most others #nfllive pic.twitter.com/ST7epPNWwC
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) April 8, 2025
The common concerns around him have been mostly the structure of the offense he was in with Ole Miss.
His collegiate head coach Lane Kiffin is noted for creating offenses that are “easier” for quarterbacks to run. This is thanks to elements such as half-field reads and wide open concepts.
Despite that, if the Saints feel that Dart’s individual talent and ability extends beyond the system, they are likely to believe that with a trio of former NFL quarterbacks at head coach, offensive coordinator, and quarterbacks coach, the potential for development is worth it.
Teaching quarterbacks transition from the college ranks to execute full-field progressions and pro styles of play is not as uncommon a practice in the modern era of football. It’s unlikely that a team would be convinced its staff couldn’t help bridge that gap.
Dart finished 2024 impressively. He completed 69.3 percent of his passes, 4,279 passing yards, and 29 touchdown throws while throwing only six interceptions last year, with 11 combined in the last two seasons.
Jaxson Dart is for sure a 1st Round QB….the traits are there.
The big question is where does he land? I don’t think he makes it past pick #20.
All 22 QB Draft Breakdown: Jaxson Dart pic.twitter.com/rTN8hmRk9n
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) April 9, 2025
