In his newest NFL mock draft, ESPN's Mel Kiper projects Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart to go the Saints with the No. 9 overall pick.
While frequently mocked as a second-round pick, Dart has been flying up draft boards since the Senior Bowl. Following a positive showing at the combine, the 6-foot-2 quarterback has cemented himself as a top-three player at his position in the draft.
During Dart's final season at Ole Miss he threw for 4,279 yards and 29 touchdowns while completing 69.3% of his passes. The dual-threat quarterback also showed off his running ability, rushing for 495 yards and three touchdowns.
Dart's versatility, accuracy, and ability to protect the ball makes him an ideal quarterback to run Moore's offense. With Dart's most frequent pro comparison being Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, it makes sense for New Orleans to target the potential first-round pick.
It has become clear for the Saints that veteran Derek Carr will not be their quarterback of the future and he is likely to play his final season for New Orleans in 2025. Many inside the facility believe Spencer Rattler can become the franchise quarterback for the team, but with a new offensive-minded head coach taking over, Kellen Moore may prefer to go after his guy in the draft.
Many have criticized Kiper for mocking Dart to the Saints early in the draft, so the longtime draft expert appeared on ESPN's "Get Up" to defend his selection. Kiper mentioned Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix of the 2024 draft as a comparison—a pick many considered a reach at the time but has ultimately worked out for the Broncos.
Drafting a quarterback in the first round comes with many benefits. All first-round picks are subject to fifth-year options. A fifth-year option allows teams an extra year to work on a possible second contract. If Dart proves to be a successful pick, New Orleans would be put on the clock to compete.
Having your franchise quarterback on a rookie contract allows more financial flexibility and the opportunity to spend big in free agency. Recent examples include the Houston Texans and Washington Commanders, both of whom have made the playoffs and taken advantage of their quarterback's rookie contracts to be aggressive in the offseason.
It is unclear how much interest the Saints have in Dart with no reported meeting between the two. However, New Orleans has been conducting their due diligence on quarterbacks at the combine—including meeting with Miami Hurricanes' Cam Ward and Colorado's Shedeur Sanders—the team may get aggressive in the draft and go after their potential franchise quarterback early.
