- Giants emerge as favorites to draft Jaxson Dart after massive odds shift
- Dart may not get past Saints at No. 9 overall with New Orleans heavily interested
- Ole Miss QB has seen one of the biggest rises of any prospect during draft process
Jaxson Dart wasn’t supposed to be a first-round pick. The Ole Miss quarterback spent most of the college football season flying under the radar, with many scouts labeling him as a fringe top-50 prospect who benefited from Lane Kiffin’s QB-friendly offense.
But with just hours until the 2025 NFL Draft kicks off in Green Bay, Dart has emerged as the betting favorite to be the second quarterback off the board. In a surprising turn of events, the 6-foot-2 gunslinger’s draft stock has exploded recently, and he’s suddenly become one of the most sought-after players in the class.
Giants, Saints Heavily Targeting Dart
The New York Giants, sitting at No. 3 overall, have become the odds-on favorite to snag Dart. Big Blue isn’t expected to take a QB that high, but GM Joe Schoen has reportedly fallen hard for Dart’s skill set.
SNY’s Connor Hughes reports that the Giants are exploring trade options to move back into the first round and select Dart. Head coach Brian Daboll is said to prefer the Ole Miss product to other top QB prospects like Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders.
Team to Draft Jaxson Dart
But the Giants aren’t the only team heavily interested in Dart. The New Orleans Saints, picking at No. 9 overall, have also been strongly linked to the SEC’s leading passer from a year ago.
CBS Sports’ Aditi Kinkhabwala reports Dart likely won’t get past the Saints at 9. New head coach Kellen Moore is “excited” about potentially grabbing Dart and sees him as a perfect fit for his system.
With veteran QB Derek Carr’s health status up in the air due to a mysterious shoulder injury, the Saints could look to find their quarterback of the future in this draft. Dart has all the physical traits to develop into a star at the next level.
Dart Skyrockets Up NFL Draft Betting Odds
The betting market has seen a massive shift in the odds for Dart’s draft position over the last few weeks. Once viewed as a Day 2 pick at best, the Ole Miss standout is now firmly in the Round 1 picture.
Jaxson Dart NFL Draft Props
The public is buying into the Dart hype, with 32.6% of bets on the over for his draft position prop of 24.5. That indicates bettors believe he’ll be selected in the top 24 picks. Additionally, Dart has received 34.2% of the betting handle to be drafted by the Saints, suggesting some big wagers on a potential New Orleans-Dart marriage
Odds to Be Top 10 Pick
At +320 odds, Dart now has the ninth-best chance to crack the top 10 on Thursday night. That’s wild considering he was at +2500 just a month ago in the NFL Draft props.
The books have Dart as the +500 favorite to go at No. 9, lining up with all the Saints buzz. If New Orleans passes, don’t expect him to fall out of the first round, with the QB-hungry Steelers (21) lurking.
Perhaps the most notable odds shift involves Dart’s positioning among the quarterbacks in this class. Once considered QB4 at best behind Shedeur Sanders, Jalen Milroe, and Cam Ward (the presumptive No. 1 pick), Dart is now the +150 favorite to be the second signal-caller drafted.
What’s Behind Dart’s Rise in Draft Odds?
Dart’s rocket up draft boards has been one of the craziest stories of the pre-draft process. Scouts are loving his live arm, how quickly he reads defenses, and his quick release.
Last season, Dart led the FBS with 10.8 yards per attempt while throwing for 4,279 yards, 29 TDs, and just 6 picks. His decision-making and pocket presence—once considered weak spots—now look much improved.
Dart reportedly aced his interviews and private workouts with teams, showcasing high football IQ and impressing coaches with his leadership qualities. In a QB class that lacks a surefire franchise guy, Dart has as much upside as anyone.
We’ll find out soon enough if Dart convinced the Saints, Giants, or another QB-hungry team that he’s worth a top-10 pick. The betting market has clearly bought the hype.
After his odds went through the roof over the last few weeks, it would be a massive surprise if Dart makes it out of the top 15 on Thursday night. The first round of the 2025 NFL Draft begins at 8:00 p.m. ET, and you won’t want to miss it.
As the 2022 NFL Draft approaches, one name that is generating a lot of buzz among scouts and analysts is Jaxson Dart. The former USC quarterback has been turning heads with his impressive performances on the field and is quickly emerging as a top contender for a top-10 pick in the upcoming draft.
Dart burst onto the scene during his freshman season at USC, where he quickly established himself as one of the top quarterbacks in college football. His combination of arm strength, accuracy, and mobility has drawn comparisons to some of the top quarterbacks in the NFL, and many believe that he has the potential to be a franchise quarterback at the next level.
One of the things that sets Dart apart from other quarterbacks in this draft class is his ability to make plays both inside and outside of the pocket. He has a quick release and can make all the throws necessary to succeed in the NFL. Additionally, his athleticism allows him to extend plays with his legs and pick up valuable yards on the ground when needed.
In addition to his physical talents, Dart also possesses a high football IQ and a strong work ethic. He is known for his dedication to film study and his willingness to put in the extra work to improve his game. Scouts and coaches alike have been impressed with his maturity and leadership on and off the field, qualities that are highly valued in a quarterback at the next level.
As the draft approaches, it will be interesting to see where Jaxson Dart ultimately lands. With several teams in need of a quarterback at the top of the draft, it is very possible that he could hear his name called within the first 10 picks. Wherever he ends up, one thing is for certain – Jaxson Dart has the potential to be a game-changer in the NFL and could be a franchise quarterback for years to come.