Jaxson Dart is no stranger to skeptics. The Ole Miss Rebels dart-thrower has been dismissing criticisms, and proving people wrong. Now, with the 2025 NFL Draft fast approaching, he finds himself at the center of an unexpected debate: Could he sneak into the 1st round? With the New York Jets still uncertain at QB despite signing Justin Fields, whispers are growing that Dart might be in play at No. 7 overall. Some analysts, like Todd McShay, put the chances at 30%, while others scoff at the idea. But whether the Jets—or any team—make the call on Day 1, one thing is clear: Dart’s stock is rising fast, and he’s sending a message to all 32 teams that he belongs in the conversation.
Of course, not everyone is sold. For all his arm talent and aggressive downfield mentality, Jaxson Dart has struggled in high-pressure moments. The game that critics love to point to? That nightmare against Florida, where he threw three straight interceptions on three consecutive drives. Even worse, after Rebels HC Lane Kiffin called a timeout to settle him down following the 2nd pick—a play that was only erased by defensive penalties—Dart trotted right back out and threw another one. It sticks. It fuels the narrative that Dart crumbles when the moment gets too big. Yet, Dart’s partner – C Spire – an IT company – thinks otherwise for the athlete on Instagram: “Social media is full of noise makers and distractions.”
And Jaxson Dart isn’t interested in the noise. The QB stays locked in on what matters. Partnering with C Spire, Dart shared his approach to blocking out distractions. “It’s definitely very important to safeguard yourself and to limit the negativity and things that don’t really matter,” he said in the clip. “I’ve always centered myself on listening to those who I love and those who really care about me. The opinions of others don’t really matter as much to me.” That kind of mindset isn’t just refreshing—it’s essential for a quarterback stepping into the relentless scrutiny of the NFL. A previous round 2 prospect has seen a sudden surge in his stock lately. “I always try to just keep my circle tight and listen to those opinions the most,” Dart ended with the message.
And here’s the twist—Dart’s analytics suggest he might just be better than some of the quarterbacks projected to go ahead of him. While Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders have commanded the headlines, Dart’s advanced metrics tell a different story. With an 11.9% average depth of target, a 7.9% big-time throw rate, and a staggering 10.7 yards per attempt, he’s statistically outpacing both Ward and Sanders in key areas. That’s the kind of efficiency that turns heads in NFL front offices. It’s why DraftKings Sportsbook has even floated the possibility of Dart being QB2 off the board—either ahead of Sanders or right behind him. When the numbers do the talking, it’s hard to ignore.
The buzz isn’t just from outsiders, either. Inside league circles, there’s a growing belief that Dart has the tools to be a first-round talent. “Some people around the organization like his skill set and believe Dart is a first-round talent,” said Jets beat writer Antwan Staley. That kind of sentiment, coming from a team with a real quarterback dilemma, is telling. If they take Dart at No. 7, it wouldn’t be just for competition—it would be an investment in their future.
The next few weeks will be crucial for the Ole Miss guy. Every meeting, every workout, every moment leading up to the draft is a chance to solidify his case.
Jaxson Dart: A NY Jets smokescreen or future franchise QB?
Are the New York Jets genuinely interested in QB Jaxson Dart, or is this all just a well-orchestrated Draft smokescreen? Staley of the New York Daily News weighed in on the speculation Friday, addressing whether the Jets’ rumored connection to Dart is a play to bait other teams into trading up.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if the Jets selected Dart seventh overall,” Staley wrote. “There were rumors during the NFL Combine that the organization was enamored with Dart and that they still need a long-term solution at quarterback.” It’s an interesting wrinkle considering the Jets just signed former Steelers Fields to a two-year, $40 million deal with $30 million guaranteed. But here’s the kicker—they can get out of that contract as soon as next offseason.
Fields, despite his athleticism and flashes of brilliance, has yet to prove he’s a franchise quarterback. His time in Chicago and Pittsburgh left many in the NFL community skeptical about his ability to be “the guy.” If the Jets aren’t sold on Fields as their long-term answer, grabbing a young QB like Dart could make sense.
Is this just a draft-day poker move, or do the Jets truly see Dart as their future?
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