Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart is Missing Something

I watched every snap Ole Miss quarterback (QB) Jaxson Dart took in 2023 and he’s a lot of things, but he’s not dependable.

He’s streaky.

When he gets into a rhythm, he can look good for stretches here and there, but then his internal clock gets sporadic and the results do too.

He was hard to watch and even harder to write.

• Eccentric
• Instinctual
• Emotional
• Erratic
• Tough as nails
• Unpredictable
• Hyperactive
• Tad reckless
• Unorganized
• Scatterbrained
• Wild

He’s those things and some on film.

Dart paints half his face making himself look like a football warrior and he’s willing to sacrifice himself and do anything to advance his team.

Ball Placement

It’s the most important trait for a quarterback.

That’s his job.

Despite producing a 65.1% completion percentage last season, Dart’s ball placement downfield was all over the road (0-19 yards). Some passes were sweet, and right on target, which allowed his receivers to effortlessly pick up additional yardage after the catch, and others…were not.

His full body of work was a mixed bag.

His accuracy deep was worse. He was 12/32 (37.5%) on the deep attempts I charted. There were a lot of deep underthrows.

Despite looking the part in some ways, nothing holds him back more than his placement.

Negative results

It’s one thing to sometimes be putting his targets in position to pick up additional yardage after the catch, and quite another to put the ball in harm’s way.

In these 13 games, I charted 32 passes that were broken up by defenders (2.46 per game average). He added five interceptions and he was susceptible to fumbling occasionally in the pocket.

Additionally, he was sacked 27 times, and sacks equal yardage losses and further can set the offense back from moving the chains.

Has a chance to become a No. 2

Despite the negatives, Dart does have some playmaking creativity and improv to his game and he’s athletic enough to move around both behind and beyond the line of scrimmage. He’s not going to run away from defenses at the next level, but he has shown the ability (and determination) to pick up chunks of yardage on his feet.

Those traits ⎯along with him being a firey competitor make him a prime candidate for a backup spot at the next level. He would have the ability to provide a needed spark or be able to start for a few games if he had to. He’s like a ball of unharnassed energy who wants to win.

I don’t ever see him as a team’s regular starter in the NFL (unless it’s by default). I don’t see him leading an NFL team to a winning season.

#2 Jaxson Dart 6-foot-2, 220 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2024 Summer Grade: Fifth-Round (I wouldn’t select him)

Projected by 9.6% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of June 27, 2024 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2023 game film reviewed: LSU, Tulane, Alabama, Georgia, Arkansas, Mercer, Texas A&M, Georgia Tech, Auburn, Vanderbilt, UL Monroe, Mississippi State, and Penn State (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Inconsistent athletic dual-role game manager with average arm strength and limited big-play capability. Strong vibe of immaturity. Undisciplined. Hasn’t put it altogether. Doesn’t maintain a steady rhythm. Active. Polished throwing mechanics. Navigates pocket and sets up well. Tough and poised under pressure, but throws some risky passes as he’s getting hit. Shows he can get the ball out of his hand quickly, but then regresses and holds it too long. Inconsistent progressions. Inconsistent throwing on the move. Tends to pat the ball pre-delivery. Spreads the ball around, but is not always on the same page with his receivers. Inconsistent throwing with anticipation. Inconsistent touch. Best with large throwing windows. Tends to struggle more fitting it into small throwing windows. Can make a defender miss on his feet running, but takes on a lot of physical contact. Higher injury risk.

What to watch for during the 2024 college football season

1. Getting the ball out of his hand quickly and consistently?

2. Consistent placement in the short-to-intermediate route levels?

3. Deep game on point?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.