One of the more dominant prep recruits in recent memory, quarterback Jaxson Dart went from being named the 2020 Gatorade National Player of the Year out of Utah, which led him to a lone season at USC before transferring to Ole Miss.
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 223 pounds
40 time: 4.85 seconds
In the three subsequent seasons, Dart would increasingly improve and ended his Rebels career as a First-Team All-SEC honoree. He won the Gator Bowl MVP and finished with the third-most aerial yards in FBS.
Table: QB Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss (2021-24)
*includes postseason/bowl games (stats from Sports Reference)
Pros
- Enough arm to make all of the throws despite not having a cannon
- Best trait probably is playing the distribution role as a point guard
- Puts excellent touch on intermediate passes — drops it into a bucket back-shoulder placement
- Dual-threat functionality — looks to pass before running but isn’t going to wow you with his legs
- Gritty, tough competitor whose moxie jumps off the screen
- Rhythm-based passer who can go on serious hot streaks
- Good presnap command
- Scans the field adequately when he has time
- Started three years in the SEC and progressed each season
- Significant upside if multiple factors align in his favor
Cons
- Needs more experience playing under center — transition to NFL system might be a longer process than most
- Can get too cute trying to make something out of nothing — more freelancing than some NFL coaches will tolerate
- Doesn’t have a signature trait — he’s not exceptional in any regard
- Anticipatory throws are erratic, suggesting a timing-based system could hinder his career trajectory
- Inconsistent footwork, especially noticeable when throwing off-platform
- Too many easy throws missed and slightly underthrown deep balls — the latter isn’t super common, but you’ll see it even on a few of his highlight-reel plays when a receiver bailed him out
Fantasy football outlook
Dart has enough athleticism and requisite intangible tools to develop into a moderate QB1 in fantasy, but it’s not happening without dedication to working on the nuances and being in the right system. He’ll benefit more than most by waiting a year to start and learning behind a veteran.
Given the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ recent courting of Aaron Rodgers while also holding the No. 21 pick in the draft, don’t be surprised to see Dart go that early. If not, he probably slides into the second round.
While he has a high ceiling, Dart also comes with elevated risk. In relation to the conventional quarterback prospect profile. It won’t be alarming if he never puts it together and is a career backup.
