Finding the quarterback of the future has dominated the headlines for the New Orleans Saints offseason so far. Leading up to April’s draft, the organization has held meetings with many of the top prospects in this year’s class. The constant meetings with prospects show that the Saints are trying to find their next franchise QB. With Derek Carr still on the roster—at least for now—there’s an underlying sense that the team needs a long-term answer under center. But if they opt against making a massive trade-up for a top-tier quarterback prospect, could a mid-round option like Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart be a gamble worth taking?
Dart is arguably the most divisive quarterback in this year’s draft class. Some scouts believe he’s a mid-round project at best, while ESPN’s Mel Kiper’s most recent mock draft projected him as high as No. 9 overall. While the latter projection may be an outlier, Dart’s raw ability and athleticism make him an intriguing prospect—one that could tempt a team like New Orleans to roll the dice.
But would the Saints be the franchise bold enough to take that risk? Or would they be wary of past mistakes when taking mid-round swings at the quarterback position?
Related: Saints Take Tetairoa McMillan at 9 In Recent Two-Rd Mock
The Saints and Mid-Round QB Gambles: A Checkered Past
New Orleans isn’t a franchise that frequently invests in mid-round quarterbacks, but when they have, it hasn’t worked out well. The most recent examples? Ian Book, Jake Haener, and Spencer Rattler.
In 2021, the Saints used a fourth-round pick on the former Notre Dame standout in hopes of developing him into, at worst, a reliable backup. Instead, Book was quickly overmatched at the NFL level. His lone start was a disastrous Monday Night Football loss to the Miami Dolphins, where he threw for just 135 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions while taking eight sacks behind a crumbling offensive line that was ravaged due to a COVID outbreak. He was released just a year later.
The difference between Book and Dart, however, is the upside. Book was always viewed as a low-ceiling quarterback who lacked the physical traits to be a franchise-altering passer. He was a system-dependent player who thrived in a well-structured offense at Notre Dame but could not elevate a team with his arm talent.
In 2023 and 2024, New Orleans continued their search for a young prospect in the mid-to-late rounds of the draft. In the 2023 draft, they selected Fresno State’s Jake Haener in the fourth round and added South Carolina’s Spencer Rattler to the room the following year. Neither quarterback has demonstrated the consistent traits of being a franchise quarterback. However, one can argue that coaching and the Saints’ massive injury bug may be the main culprits as to why Rattler and Haener struggled in 2024. Both assumptions can be true. If New Orleans selects Dart, the move could mean the end is nearing for either quarterback.
Dart, by contrast, has the raw tools that NFL evaluators covet.
The Case for Jaxson Dart
At 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, Dart possesses a sturdy frame and athleticism, making him a dual-threat quarterback option. He has legitimate big-play ability as a runner, often making defenders miss in space and extending plays with his legs.
More importantly, he has an aggressive arm, capable of making accurate deep throws when in rhythm. While his arm strength isn’t in the same tier as Caleb Williams or Drake Maye, it’s more than sufficient to attack all levels of the field. His ability to layer passes over defenders and hit receivers in stride downfield is one of the most enticing aspects of his game.
Key strengths:
- Natural playmaker: Dart has shown flashes of off-platform throwing and can make plays outside of structure.
- Big-play potential: He completed multiple deep shots per game at Ole Miss, showing natural touch on vertical routes.
- Toughness: He’s unafraid to take a hit and often bounces back after absorbing contact in the pocket.
However, the concerns about his game are just as evident.
The Concerns with Dart’s Transition to the NFL
Dart’s biggest red flag isn’t his talent—it’s his offensive system at Ole Miss. Lane Kiffin’s scheme allowed Dart to avoid making full-field reads, so he rarely had to progress past his first or second option. The offense was built to create easy throws for him, often leveraging play-action and RPOs to simplify his decision-making.
That lack of advanced processing is a major hurdle for his NFL transition. Teams that run timing-based offenses—where quarterbacks must quickly cycle through reads—may struggle to fit Dart into their system. He will require significant development to adjust to NFL defenses that disguise coverages and force him to make quick, post-snap adjustments.
Another major issue? He struggles against pressure. When blitzed, Dart had a 9.6% sack rate and often failed to identify “hot” routes to get the ball out quickly. He also had stretches of inaccuracy, where he would sail passes due to poor footwork.
Key concerns:
- Limited full-field processing experience
- Inconsistent footwork and mechanics
- Struggles against blitz-heavy defenses
- Will need time to adjust to an NFL playbook
Would the Saints Be the Right Team to Take the Leap?
With Kellen Moore now leading the offense, the Saints are shifting toward a more modernized passing attack. Moore’s system relies on spacing, quick reads, and an ability to attack defenses vertically. This could, in theory, play to Dart’s strengths.
However, New Orleans may not be the ideal situation for Dart due to two key factors:
1) The Saints Are Not a Patient Organization
Historically, the Saints have not been willing to develop quarterbacks slowly. When they drafted Ian Book, he was thrown into action in a disastrous situation and never recovered. If the Saints were to draft Dart in Round 2 or 3, would they give him the time he needs to refine his game?
Unlike other teams willing to groom a QB behind the scenes, New Orleans may feel pressure to win now, which could lead to a rushed development timeline.
2) The Derek Carr Situation
The Saints have publicly committed to Carr for 2025. However, their financial maneuvering—freeing up over $30 million in cap space—has fueled speculation that a post-June 1 trade is still on the table.
If Carr remains in New Orleans, drafting Dart in Round 2 or 3 makes little sense unless the Saints view him as a future starter beyond 2025. However, if they were to move Carr, selecting Dart as a developmental quarterback behind a bridge QB could be in play.
Should the Saints Take the Risk?
Jaxson Dart represents a classic boom-or-bust quarterback prospect. His tools suggest he could develop into a quality starter, but his learning curve will be steep, and he is far from a Day 1 starter in the NFL.
If the Saints are willing to be patient, Dart could be worth a mid-round flyer. He is certainly a more intriguing prospect than Ian Book ever was, and if the Saints want to swing for the fences, he is a quarterback who offers legitimate upside.
However, given the Saints’ win-now mindset and lack of proven developmental success with mid-round quarterbacks, it’s difficult to see them being the team to take that chance. If they’re looking for a young quarterback, they’re more likely to trade up for a top-tier talent or take a more NFL-ready option later in the draft.
The Saints might admire Dart’s tools, but the bigger question is whether they’ll invest the time to develop him properly. Given their current structure, it seems unlikely—but if Mickey Loomis and Kellen Moore are willing to bet on a high-ceiling project, Dart might be their wildcard pick of the draft.
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