Ever look at things and wonder how they got there? Jaxson Dart probably does. Every draft cycle, there’s that one quarterback who seems to soar in stock almost unprovoked. Once the ink has dried on their collegiate career, there’s not much scope for value addition. Bo Nix became a beneficiary of this phenomenon last year. In reality, the surge and ascension on big boards and mock drafts aren’t exactly unprovoked. It’s just scouts and analysts getting privy to and dissecting their film and understanding the nuances to their game. This time around, Dart seems to be riding the coattails of the tale of his tape. However, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows.

The perception around Jaxson Dart has steadily become more welcoming throughout the entire draft process. This has been reflected in his grade, too. Dart’s gone from a late 2nd or early 3rd rounder to a potential Day 1 pick, to being slated for coming off the board in the lottery, and now rubbing shoulders with Shedeur Sanders. Revered draftnik and analyst Todd McShay assesses Dart as being on par with Sanders as the joint-QB2 in this class, behind only Cam Ward. Based on skill and ability, that is. Not based on projections, fit or intel garnered straight from franchises. So if Dart’s now trending towards being a first-round pick, what’s the issue? See, the NFL Draft is a transactional exercise of supply vs demand.  Dart may just have seen demand fall. One franchise that was believed to be in the reckoning for him has reportedly dropped out of the quarterback sweepstakes.

The New York Jets have been stuck in NFL purgatory for the longest time. In the past half-decade or so, they’ve drafted quarterbacks in the top 3 twice and failed on both occasions. Zach Wilson was a bust, and while Sam Darnold appears to be thriving, it’s not in the Big Apple. They’ve even tried the absolute opposite spectrum—a bonafide legend and future HOFer in the twilight of his career, ala Aaron Rodgers. Nothing seems to get the Jets out of this abyss of mediocrity. With a new head coach in charge now, they seem to be trying the middle ground. 

First-time HC Aaron Glenn appears to have made a rational decision. Get some stability within a flailing franchise before swinging for the fences on another quarterback in the draft. According to the @NFLNotify X handle, “The #Jets ‘feel great’ about moving forward into the season with a QB room that consists of Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor.” The Jets, picking 7th overall, were touted as a very possible landing spot for Jaxson Dart. However, they seem to have made peace with giving Justin Fields another shot at being an NFL starting quarterback. The 2-year, $40 million deal they extended to him isn’t a home-run certainty of his future in NY by any stretch. But it is a vote of confidence. Tyrod Taylor shall hope to permeate some experience through to Field in that QB room. He’s on the back half of his own 2-year deal worth $12 million.

As for Jaxson Dart, this eliminates an option. The supply of top-end QBs in this draft class isn’t particularly high. But neither is the demand. Last year saw 6 quarterbacks get picked in the top 12. Naturally, a lot of teams aren’t in the quarterback market right now. The Jets presented as a team where Dart may have gotten a chance to feature as a rookie. With them off the board, the signs point to him being a backup initially. Which isn’t the worst thing in the world. Both QBs in the latest Super Bowl, Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts, sat behind veterans in Year 1. Assuming the Jets are indeed out on Dart, that essentially leaves just one possible franchise drafting in the lottery.

The Saints present as an alternative for Jaxson Dart

Similar to the Jets, the New Orleans Saints have also been in search of a messiah figure. Except they know what it’s like to have a good quarterback play in their building! That Drew Brees-shaped void has proven hard to fill, and the franchise has been in a state of flux. They thought they were onto something after how Derek Carr began last season, blowing teams out and looking like he had a renaissance. The bubble burst soon enough, though.

The Saints pick 9th overall and have been linked to Jaxson Dart on multiple fronts. It does make sense,e too. Have Derek Carr begin the season as QB1, with Dart learning the ropes behind the veteran. Keep things as is if you find success or make a switch in due course. The Saints are in really bad shape in terms of the salary cap. Hitting on a rookie-scale contract is one of the only things that can salvage their foreseeable future.

Jaxson Dart doesn’t have to ring alarm bells just yet. A likely suitor in the Jets dropping out isn’t ideal, but the glass-half-full POV dictates being drafted there is akin to drinking from a poisoned chalice. The environment within the franchise hasn’t historically been conducive to growth and development for young, malleable QBs out of college. Conceded, Aaron Glenn projects as a culture setter who’ll force a turnaround. But not being drafted to the Jets could be a blessing in disguise for Jaxson Dart.