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ESPN's insider Adam Schefter emptied his notebook to kick off the week of the 2025 NFL draft, and he dug up some really interesting nuggets on the New Orleans Saints. For one thing, they're looking to trade up in Round 2. For another, they're reportedly all-in on one of the quarterbacks expected to go in that range.
Schefter quoted one NFL personnel executive as saying, "I don't think New Orleans is taking Shedeur. I think they're hot and heavy on Jaxson Dart."
He's a tough evaluation. Dart wasn't asked to do much at Ole Miss -- between play action, RPOs, and screens, he only dropped back to read the field and throw on 40.7% of his throws last season. That's by far the lowest rate among this year's projected top-100 picks. For context, Jalen Milroe (Alabama) leads the group at 71.4%. Shedeur Sanders (Colorado) isn't far behind at 64%. Tyler Shough (Louisville) and Quinn Ewers (Texas), who both made pre-draft visits to New Orleans, also fall on the lower end of the scale at 50.2% and 48.7%, respectively. Unless head coach Kellen Moore is planning to use a ton of play action, screens, and run-pass options, they'll each need a lot of coaching up to compete at the pro level.
Dart has been linked to the Saints since the Senior Bowl back in January, where he was recognized as the best quarterback by his teammates at cornerback and safety after a week of practices. They also had a large presence at his pro day with Moore making the trip to watch his throwing session. He's obviously been on their radar for some time.
And that could result in the Saints drafting him, or even trading up to do so. The question is where that happens. After he initially accepted an invite to attend the NFL draft in Green Bay, which suggested he would be a first-round pick, Dart bowed out and will watch it from home. If Dart has heard from teams that they wouldn't draft him in Round 1, skipping the event and potential embarrassment of waiting to hear his name called after everyone else (like Aaron Rodgers, Brady Quinn, and Geno Smith had to do) could be the better move. But that's a little too speculative.
The 2025 NFL draft will begin with Round 1's picks on Thursday, April 24, followed by Rounds 2 and 3 on Friday, April 25. You can tune in on ESPN and NFL Network.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Saints are 'hot and heavy' on rookie QB Jaxson Dart
Continue reading...
Schefter quoted one NFL personnel executive as saying, "I don't think New Orleans is taking Shedeur. I think they're hot and heavy on Jaxson Dart."
He's a tough evaluation. Dart wasn't asked to do much at Ole Miss -- between play action, RPOs, and screens, he only dropped back to read the field and throw on 40.7% of his throws last season. That's by far the lowest rate among this year's projected top-100 picks. For context, Jalen Milroe (Alabama) leads the group at 71.4%. Shedeur Sanders (Colorado) isn't far behind at 64%. Tyler Shough (Louisville) and Quinn Ewers (Texas), who both made pre-draft visits to New Orleans, also fall on the lower end of the scale at 50.2% and 48.7%, respectively. Unless head coach Kellen Moore is planning to use a ton of play action, screens, and run-pass options, they'll each need a lot of coaching up to compete at the pro level.
Dart has been linked to the Saints since the Senior Bowl back in January, where he was recognized as the best quarterback by his teammates at cornerback and safety after a week of practices. They also had a large presence at his pro day with Moore making the trip to watch his throwing session. He's obviously been on their radar for some time.
And that could result in the Saints drafting him, or even trading up to do so. The question is where that happens. After he initially accepted an invite to attend the NFL draft in Green Bay, which suggested he would be a first-round pick, Dart bowed out and will watch it from home. If Dart has heard from teams that they wouldn't draft him in Round 1, skipping the event and potential embarrassment of waiting to hear his name called after everyone else (like Aaron Rodgers, Brady Quinn, and Geno Smith had to do) could be the better move. But that's a little too speculative.
The 2025 NFL draft will begin with Round 1's picks on Thursday, April 24, followed by Rounds 2 and 3 on Friday, April 25. You can tune in on ESPN and NFL Network.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Saints are 'hot and heavy' on rookie QB Jaxson Dart
Continue reading...
