- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 395,852
- Reaction score
- 43
It's almost a sure thing that Miami quarterback Cam Ward will be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL draft. The Tennessee Titans are poised to take their quarterback of the future with the top pick.
After that, the quarterback picture gets a little murky. Colorado's Shedeur Sanders is considered the next-best quarterback, but his draft position is uncertain. He could go as high as the second overall pick or fall down the first round as teams weigh his ceiling as a passer against some of the top prospects in the class.
But there are other quarterback options beyond those two. Jaxson Dart of Ole Miss led the country in passer rating in 2024 and led the SEC in completion percentage and passing yards.
In the draft process, he's been valued as a potential first-round pick as teams may move up to secure him. He could also slide down the order into Day 2, giving more teams a chance to select the prolific passer.
Here's what to know about Dart as a prospect and five best fits for him at the NFL level.
PREPARING FOR NFL DRAFT: Ward, Sanders don't have traditional agents; does it matter?
Dart was a three-year starter for Ole Miss after transferring from USC and steadily improved each season under Lane Kiffin's tutelage. Dart doesn't have many elite traits but has a strong arm that can reach every level of the passing game.
Ole Miss' offense is very quarterback-friendly, utilizing a lot of RPO (run-pass option) and play action concepts to put defenses in binds. Dart executes ball fakes very well. He delivered the ball consistently on time and accurately to his receivers, especially in the middle of the field. He has enough athleticism to extend plays and the toughness to stand tall against pressure and make a clutch throw.
Ole Miss' system schemed lots of open throws for Dart. Those throws won't be so open in the NFL where defenses are faster and compress the field. That system doesn't mean he can't go through full-field progressions, but he often didn't have to at the college level. He needs to improve his anticipation in the NFL in order to avoid costly errors.
Dart needs some time to develop before becoming a full-time starter. Based on what he's put on tape and his physical tools, Dart can be a starter but will need the right environment to truly thrive.
2025 NFL MOCK DRAFT WITH TRADES: Expert predictions following major moves in free agency
Dart would likely do best in systems that deploy a lot of play-action and RPO concepts. That would provide a comfortable starting point for the Ole Miss star to develop into a better all-around passer.
The Jets signed Justin Fields in free agency but only to a two-year contract. It's far from a long-term promise that he'll be the answer at the position. They're likely in the running for a quarterback this draft.
New York's new offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand came to the Jets with Aaron Glenn from Detroit. Last season, the Lions led the league in play action pass attempts at 220. The gap from them in first to the Rams in second (50 attempts) equals the gap from the Rams to the Dolphins in 12th.
If they keep with a similar philosophy on offense, Dart could have a good foundation of understanding to build upon as he develops in time.
The Rams have an aging Matthew Stafford at quarterback entering 2025. The team allowed him to explore trade options before the two sides ultimately came to an agreement for him to return this season. Stafford is entering his age-37 season, and the Rams have to plan for the future.
They could use a similar philosophy to what the Green Bay Packers did in 2020. The Packers had a 36-year-old Aaron Rodgers in the building and selected eventual successor Jordan Love in Round 1.
The Rams likely wouldn't need to spend their first-round pick on Dart and instead make him a Day 2 selection. They were behind the Lions in play-action usage, and McVay has a history of changing his offense to best suit his quarterback; he made changes in 2021 with Stafford that led to a Super Bowl title. With a young, improving defense and solid starters on offense, Los Angeles could take Dart to have an in-house succession plan at the most important position in the NFL.
After an 8-9 finish in 2024, the Colts have some pressure entering the 2025 season. Quarterback Anthony Richardson has struggled to stay on the field and produce since going No. 4 overall in the 2023 NFL draft. They brought in Daniel Jones to be competition for him this season, but neither may be the ultimate long-term answer.
Indianapolis was the only team to rank in the top five league-wide in play-action pass attempts (148, fifth) and RPO plays (171) in 2024. That'd make for a very comfortable place for Dart as a rookie and present an off-ramp for the franchise if Richardson doesn't do well enough in 2025.
The Dolphins had the sixth-most RPO plays in 2024 as that's what helps unlock quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. They're above league-average in play-action as well, ranking 12th in 2024.
Health is always a concern with Tagovailoa, and the offense has stalled without him. Dart's comfort with those concepts may give the team a better option for when Tagovailoa is out of the lineup. Or he could be a long-term option at the position should Tagovailoa's health ultimately force a change at starter.
The Dolphins have 10 picks in the 2025 NFL draft. Moving up in the second or third round to secure Dart wouldn't put too much of a dent in their stockpile of picks.
The Browns need an upgrade at quarterback and have missed out on almost all of the notable free agents at the position. With the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, the team may opt instead for one of the draft's top talents, either cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter or edge rusher Abdul Carter, instead of taking the second-best quarterback in the class in Sanders.
That timeline would leave the Browns open to potentially taking Dart later on in the process. Like the Dolphins, the Browns have 10 picks in the 2025 NFL draft. Moving up on Day 2 or using a pick on a developmental quarterback wouldn't be a waste of resources.
Cleveland ran a similar amount of play-action to the Dolphins (121 total pass attempts) and were eighth in the NFL in RPO plays with 118. Browns play-caller Kevin Stefanski has often leaned on a strong running game during his best years in Cleveland. Drafting Dart after bolstering the roster and running the ball more could be a formula for success.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jaxson Dart's best NFL fits: Jets, Rams, Colts make sense in draft
Continue reading...
After that, the quarterback picture gets a little murky. Colorado's Shedeur Sanders is considered the next-best quarterback, but his draft position is uncertain. He could go as high as the second overall pick or fall down the first round as teams weigh his ceiling as a passer against some of the top prospects in the class.
But there are other quarterback options beyond those two. Jaxson Dart of Ole Miss led the country in passer rating in 2024 and led the SEC in completion percentage and passing yards.
In the draft process, he's been valued as a potential first-round pick as teams may move up to secure him. He could also slide down the order into Day 2, giving more teams a chance to select the prolific passer.
Here's what to know about Dart as a prospect and five best fits for him at the NFL level.
PREPARING FOR NFL DRAFT: Ward, Sanders don't have traditional agents; does it matter?
Jaxson Dart scouting report
Dart was a three-year starter for Ole Miss after transferring from USC and steadily improved each season under Lane Kiffin's tutelage. Dart doesn't have many elite traits but has a strong arm that can reach every level of the passing game.
Ole Miss' offense is very quarterback-friendly, utilizing a lot of RPO (run-pass option) and play action concepts to put defenses in binds. Dart executes ball fakes very well. He delivered the ball consistently on time and accurately to his receivers, especially in the middle of the field. He has enough athleticism to extend plays and the toughness to stand tall against pressure and make a clutch throw.
Ole Miss' system schemed lots of open throws for Dart. Those throws won't be so open in the NFL where defenses are faster and compress the field. That system doesn't mean he can't go through full-field progressions, but he often didn't have to at the college level. He needs to improve his anticipation in the NFL in order to avoid costly errors.
Dart needs some time to develop before becoming a full-time starter. Based on what he's put on tape and his physical tools, Dart can be a starter but will need the right environment to truly thrive.
2025 NFL MOCK DRAFT WITH TRADES: Expert predictions following major moves in free agency
Jaxson Dart NFL landing spots
Dart would likely do best in systems that deploy a lot of play-action and RPO concepts. That would provide a comfortable starting point for the Ole Miss star to develop into a better all-around passer.
New York Jets
The Jets signed Justin Fields in free agency but only to a two-year contract. It's far from a long-term promise that he'll be the answer at the position. They're likely in the running for a quarterback this draft.
New York's new offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand came to the Jets with Aaron Glenn from Detroit. Last season, the Lions led the league in play action pass attempts at 220. The gap from them in first to the Rams in second (50 attempts) equals the gap from the Rams to the Dolphins in 12th.
If they keep with a similar philosophy on offense, Dart could have a good foundation of understanding to build upon as he develops in time.
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams have an aging Matthew Stafford at quarterback entering 2025. The team allowed him to explore trade options before the two sides ultimately came to an agreement for him to return this season. Stafford is entering his age-37 season, and the Rams have to plan for the future.
They could use a similar philosophy to what the Green Bay Packers did in 2020. The Packers had a 36-year-old Aaron Rodgers in the building and selected eventual successor Jordan Love in Round 1.
The Rams likely wouldn't need to spend their first-round pick on Dart and instead make him a Day 2 selection. They were behind the Lions in play-action usage, and McVay has a history of changing his offense to best suit his quarterback; he made changes in 2021 with Stafford that led to a Super Bowl title. With a young, improving defense and solid starters on offense, Los Angeles could take Dart to have an in-house succession plan at the most important position in the NFL.
Indianapolis Colts
After an 8-9 finish in 2024, the Colts have some pressure entering the 2025 season. Quarterback Anthony Richardson has struggled to stay on the field and produce since going No. 4 overall in the 2023 NFL draft. They brought in Daniel Jones to be competition for him this season, but neither may be the ultimate long-term answer.
Indianapolis was the only team to rank in the top five league-wide in play-action pass attempts (148, fifth) and RPO plays (171) in 2024. That'd make for a very comfortable place for Dart as a rookie and present an off-ramp for the franchise if Richardson doesn't do well enough in 2025.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins had the sixth-most RPO plays in 2024 as that's what helps unlock quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. They're above league-average in play-action as well, ranking 12th in 2024.
Health is always a concern with Tagovailoa, and the offense has stalled without him. Dart's comfort with those concepts may give the team a better option for when Tagovailoa is out of the lineup. Or he could be a long-term option at the position should Tagovailoa's health ultimately force a change at starter.
The Dolphins have 10 picks in the 2025 NFL draft. Moving up in the second or third round to secure Dart wouldn't put too much of a dent in their stockpile of picks.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns need an upgrade at quarterback and have missed out on almost all of the notable free agents at the position. With the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, the team may opt instead for one of the draft's top talents, either cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter or edge rusher Abdul Carter, instead of taking the second-best quarterback in the class in Sanders.
That timeline would leave the Browns open to potentially taking Dart later on in the process. Like the Dolphins, the Browns have 10 picks in the 2025 NFL draft. Moving up on Day 2 or using a pick on a developmental quarterback wouldn't be a waste of resources.
Cleveland ran a similar amount of play-action to the Dolphins (121 total pass attempts) and were eighth in the NFL in RPO plays with 118. Browns play-caller Kevin Stefanski has often leaned on a strong running game during his best years in Cleveland. Drafting Dart after bolstering the roster and running the ball more could be a formula for success.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jaxson Dart's best NFL fits: Jets, Rams, Colts make sense in draft
Continue reading...
