Ex-Raiders Coach Sends Strong Jaxson Dart Message to NFL After Ole Miss QB Confirmed Draft Status at Pro Day

With a name like “Dart”, you’ve got to be a great quarterback. Jaxson Dart hails from a school with a rich lineage of signal callers. Two members of the Manning clan, Archie and son Eli, were his predecessors at Ole Miss. He had an offensive whiz in Lane Kiffin as his head coach. At 6’2” and 225lb, he’s not the most imposing. But he certainly fits the archetype of the modern NFL QB’s frame. Dart had all the makings of a big-time prospect. After initial skepticism, people are beginning to warm up to him as a potential Day 1 pick. Things are clicking into gear, and cosigns from the NFL sphere are pouring in for Dart.

Revered draft analyst Todd McShay recently revealed his final grades for each QB in the class of ‘25. It’s worth reinforcing that this year’s bunch is deemed to be a little deprived of quality. Throughout the current draft process, Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders had created some separation between themselves and the rest of the pack. Those two were the only two perceived worthy of being first-round picks. However, McShay has now concluded his film study and every ancillary analysis he needed. The tale of the tape tells him Jaxson Dart grades exactly the same as Shedeur. Mind you, Dart was hovering around rounds 3 and 4 merely a fortnight ago. McShay’s discernment is just one example of Dart gaining traction down the stretch.

Jon Gruden’s transition into the media has been a treat. While his eccentricity and quirky commentary attract a certain faction of people, a majority of his listeners come for the cogent analysis. As a former NFL head coach with the Bucs and Raiders, Gruden is now one of the best vessels for understanding the league. He knows what he’s talking about more than most of his contemporaries in the media. Importantly, he realizes this and tends to be as unbiased and straightforward as possible when delivering his takes. So when Jon Gruden says what he says about Jaxson Dart’s prospects in the NFL, it holds a decent amount of weight.

Jon Gruden announced on X that he’d conducted a training camp with Jaxson Dart. He posted a picture of the two from the practice field alongside words of affirmation. “Just wrapped our 5th ‘Gruden’s QB Class’ with Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart. Rifle arm, sharp mind and the right attitude to be a franchise-changing player. Whoever gets him will be very happy!” he wrote. Is “franchise-changing” a tad hyperbolic? Maybe. But this only goes to show how quickly and forcefully Jaxson Dart is ascending up the draft board.

Dart’s got holes in his repertoire. There’s a reason he’s QB3 in this class according to most analysts. He’s not the most mobile QB ever, and he’s especially not a great processor. Dart tends to force passes into windows that are non-existent and can stagnate if his first read isn’t open. Lane Kiffin’s offense papered over some of these deficiencies in his game. But alas, there are plenty of positives, too—as presented by Jon Gruden. But what led to this sudden surge in Dart’s stock? It was set in motion at the Combine down in Indy and accelerated at Pro Day in Oxford, Mississippi.

Jaxson Dart’s Pro Day solidified his rise up the draft board

Pro Day can often be a little smoke and mirrors when it comes to quarterbacks and passing drills. The script is already in place for what they’d do, and they’re on exactly the same page as the receivers. Receivers who are former teammates and already have chemistry with the QB. However, one thing that cannot be staged is the throwing mechanics and general movement out of the shotgun. Jaxson Dart excelled in those aspects. Something that’s all but confirmed his round-one grade. One team picking in the lottery even took a very keen interest in him.

The New Orleans Saints have widely been reported to be in the Jaxson Dart sweepstakes. Which actually became less competitive after one franchise that was looking at Dart dropped out. The Saints pick at #9, and it’s pretty much a foregone conclusion Dart will still be on the board when they’re on the clock. Do they pull the trigger? Remains to be seen. But HC Kellen Moore, offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier– who knows a thing or two about quarterbacks—and QB coach Scott Tolzien all engaged in a conversation with Dart. Pictures of this exchange surfaced on social media, with the 4 of them looking rather spirited. 

The Saints have a decent framework for drafting a QB as well. Derek Carr can be QB1 next season as Jaxson Dart sits in his rookie year and learns the ropes. Before eventually taking over the mantle. It remains to be seen where Dart ends up landing, but it doesn’t seem like it’ll be too far away from the Bullseye!