Dan Orlovsky makes a bold comment about Jaxson Dart ahead of the NFL Draft

Former Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart capped off his best year in 2024 with 4,279 yards and 29 touchdowns through the air.

Dan Orlovsky makes a bold comment about Jaxson Dart ahead of the NFL Draft

Jaxson Dart, Dan Orlovsky (Images via Riggo’s Rag/ESPN)

As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, analysts are making their final evaluations of emerging quarterback prospects. Among the names gaining traction in recent days is Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart.

Jaxson Dart, a multi-year starter in the SEC, has quietly built a compelling resume heading into the draft. Despite limited early buzz, his film is now drawing late praise from industry voices.

Dan Orlovsky, former NFL quarterback and ESPN analyst, recently highlighted Dart during an appearance on Get Up, calling him a major sleeper. The former NFL quarterback projected that the Ole Miss QB will go on to become the steal of the draft. With several quarterbacks projected ahead of him, Dart remains an under-the-radar option.

For me, he’s the guy that two or three years from now we look back and go, man, people were wrong on him. When you watch his tape, he’s so similar to Bo Nix last year and, wow, a lot better than I anticipated.

Dan Orlovsky noted

Orlovsky’s comments reflected growing interest among teams in need of developmental starters. There are several teams with huge quarterback instabilities, not just the weaker three of the lot from last season. The New York Jets seemed to have fixed the issue with Justin Fields, but it is yet to be known how he performs.

Nevertheless, the true measure of a steal, obviously, comes with time and opportunity in the NFL.

Jaxson Dart could be the overlooked quiet riser in a questioned 2025 quarterback class

The quarterback class has been widely called a weak one by several analysts. Cam Ward is the only QB whose position in the top remained the same throughout the past few weeks. In the said few weeks, Shedeur Sanders was another option highlighted by the analysts. However, there remained much worry beyond these two.

Teams in the late first or early second round may find value in a less-hyped prospect like Dart. His performances against top defenses have stood out in recent evaluations, helping shift perceptions. Analysts now question whether Dart has been overlooked during the pre-draft cycle.

Jaxson Dart began his college football journey at USC in 2021, where he played in 6 games and started 3, throwing for 1,353 yards with 9 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. He played three years at Ole Miss and finished with his best year in his last season. He threw for 4,279 yards and 29 touchdowns, while also contributing 495 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns.

Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Rams emerge as potential landing spots for Jaxson Dart in Round One

Among the teams most frequently linked to Dart are the Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Rams, both of whom are seeking long-term quarterback solutions.

Jaxson Dart
Jaxson Dart (Image via Imagn Images)

The Steelers have been prominently mentioned by analysts, including Field Yates, Daniel Jeremiah, Eric Edholm, and Jordan Reid. All project Dart to Pittsburgh at the 21st overall pick. With the potential addition of veteran Aaron Rodgers still unresolved, Pittsburgh appears focused on securing a developmental quarterback.

The Steelers are looking for a potential Ben Roethlisberger who can form a chemistry with Mike Tomlin to end their close exits. After all, even if they sign Rodgers, Dart could learn from someone who won the MVP four times.

The Rams, meanwhile, have been linked to Dart through ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., who slotted him at No. 26 overall. With Matthew Stafford nearing the end of his career, Los Angeles is evaluating young quarterbacks who can be groomed under Sean McVay’s system.

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