Jaxson Dart Reportedly Has 2nd or 3rd-Round Grade from 'A Lot of Teams' amid Rumors

It only takes one team to make Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart a first-round selection in the 2025 NFL draft, but that's not where teams have graded him, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Fowler reported Sunday on SportsCenter that multiple NFL executives "don't expect" Dart to be a top-15 pick but that him landing there wouldn't be totally unexpected.

"There's a lot of intrigue and buzz around Jaxson Dart," Fowler said. "The Saints have done a lot of homework on this quarterback in particular. And the Steelers have a strong grade on him as well. So, somebody could make a move on Dart even though a lot of teams do have a second-round or third-round grade on the quarterback."

This comes after Dart was removed from the list of players who will personally attend this year's draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The reason for the change wasn't announced.

One obvious rationale is that Dart and his representatives became less sure a team will take him in Round 1.

Will Levis had the misfortune of sitting in the green room for the entire first night of the 2023 NFL draft. It spoiled what should've been one of the biggest moments of his football career.

In the case of Dart, he's generally not considered a first-round prospect on talent alone. He's the No. 57 overall player and third-best quarterback on Bleacher Report's big board.

Still, no position on the field is more important than quarterback, and the rookie wage scale incentives teams to reach for one earlier than their skill set warrants. Whereas every other rookie is eligible for free agency after four years, first-round picks have a team option for their fifth year.

The extra year of cost control can be very valuable from a team-building perspective. That facet probably helps to explain why Dart was projected to go 24th to the Cleveland Browns in Bleacher Report's most recent mock draft.

Based on Fowler's report, though, there are no guarantees the Rebels star will hear his name called Thursday night.