With draft day inching closer, player stocks are shifting all over the place—up, down, and back again. Just ask Colorado Buffaloes former QB Shedeur Sanders. Once hailed as a possible No. 1 pick, he’s now struggling to even stay in the Top 10 conversation. And not because of on-field performance, but due to what scouts are calling behavioral red flags. But while Sanders’ stock is a mess, another quarterback is quietly sneaking up the charts—Jaxson Dart, the former Ole Miss standout. Unlike Shedeur’s up-and-down drama, Dart’s rise is built on consistency, production, and a strong finish at the Combine.

Not long ago, most mock drafts had Dart pegged as a Day 2 pick—somewhere in the late second or early third round. But now? He’s creeping into first-round buzz territory. It’s not like Dart’s college résumé didn’t speak for itself. Over three seasons under head coach Lane Kiffin, Dart threw for 10,617 yards and 72 touchdowns with just 22 interceptions. In doing so, he broke the school passing record previously held by none other than Eli Manning, who had 10,119 yards.

In 2024, Dart put up career-best numbers—leading the SEC in completion percentage (69.3%) and passing yards (4,279), while also finishing with the highest passer rating in the nation at 180.7. And then came the Combine. Dart didn’t run the 40-yard dash, but he put on a show with his arm. Going 18-of-23 in throwing drills, he delivered some of the sharpest passes of any quarterback in attendance. That was the moment his stock started ticking up.

On March 23, NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay released his Mock Draft 2.0—and guess who made the cut? Dart landed at No. 19 overall to the New York Giants, a team desperate for help under center.

It’s no secret the Giants are scrambling after a brutal three-win campaign in which they started four different quarterbacks. Head coach Brian Daboll and GM Joe Schoen are hunting for a long-term solution—and now they might be looking Dart’s way. And McShay’s mock included a proposed trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers: “Compensation: Tampa Bay receives Pick 34, Pick 65 (first pick of Round 3), and New York’s 2026 third-rounder.”

With the Giants now holding the No. 3 overall pick, many assumed they’d take one of the top QBs like Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward. But given recent concerns—and no guarantee either player will be available at 3—New York added insurance by signing Jameis Winston to a two-year, $8 million deal. Pairing Winston with Tommy DeVito gives them a short-term fix, but they clearly want to develop a QB for the future. That’s where Dart could come in.

And one interesting wrinkle? Dart worked closely with former Giants head coach Joe Judge during his final season at Ole Miss. According to Sports Illustrated’s Cecil Merkerson III, Judge was instrumental in Dart’s development, and the QB’s mindset now mirrors what the Giants’ front office looks for. Not to mention—Dart has already surpassed Eli Manning in the Ole Miss record books. That alone might spark some interest in New York. Amidst this comes a happy moment for Dart.

Lane Kiffin’s confidence in Jaxson Dart pays off 

Look how the tables turned. The spotlight once fixed on Shedeur Sanders is starting to dim. To be fair, Shedeur was electric on the field in 2024. He led the nation with a 74% completion rate and ranked top five in both passing yards and touchdown throws. He even bounced back from being the most-sacked QB in college football in 2023 (52 times). But lately, it’s the off-field chatter that’s taking center stage.

Scouts and execs have started labeling him as “brash” and “arrogant,” terms that don’t sit well in NFL circles. Just days ago, the Giants were reportedly still keeping tabs on Deion Sanders’ son, but McShay’s latest projection signals a shift toward Dart—and that speaks volumes.

This surge in Dart’s draft stock is also a proud moment for Ole Miss HC Lane Kiffin, who always believed in his quarterback. Lane Kiffin even re-shared a post from DraftKings Sportsbook on March 23 to his Instagram story, featuring Dart and the caption: “Could Jaxson Dart overtake Shedeur Sanders as QB2 in the 2025 NFL Draft? 🤔” And why not? Numbers don’t lie.

According to analyst Austin Abbott: “They were ALL better than Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders.” Abbott was referring to Dart’s 11.9 average depth of target, 7.1% big-time throw rate, and 10.7 yards per attempt. And he added, “The most impressive part? Jaxson Dart accomplished this while having LESS time to throw (2.77) than them.” With Shedeur’s draft stock tanking, and Dart’s soaring, the former dropped to QB2, and the latter is climbing to QB3. But get this, some oddsmakers? According to the post, they’re throwing both of them up at QB1, with +1800 odds, right behind Cam Ward. From dark horse to legit contender—Dart has come a long way.

Now, if we put the numbers aside and look at character and conduct—a major factor in shaping NFL Draft stock these days—Dart is winning there too. While Shedeur’s personality may be rubbing people the wrong way, Dart has steadily built a reputation for maturity, discipline, and focus. He’s not flashy. He’s not making headlines off the field. He’s just grinding—and it’s paying off. A slow build, a steady climb, and the ability to tune out the noise… that might be Dart’s true superpower.