The NFL Draft drama is heating up, and all eyes are on New Orleans.
The Saints sit at No. 9 overall, but the buzz around their quarterback room just turned into a full-blown headline. With Derek Carr’s shoulder injury clouding the team’s future, New Orleans may be forced to make a franchise-shifting decision tonight. And according to several new reports, that decision might come in the form of Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart.
CBS Sports’ Aditi Kinkhabwala didn’t mince words: “What I’m being told is that Jaxson Dart is not going to fall beyond that No. 9 pick and the Saints.” That’s a big swing for a quarterback once pegged as a late-first-round prospect. But in the final hours before the draft kicks off, Dart has become one of the board’s most talked-about names. New Orleans head coach Kellen Moore reportedly loves the fit, and sources say he’s driving this move.
Dart Rising: From Late First To Top 10 Lock
Jaxson Dart’s rise has been fast, but not without reason. He led the SEC in passing last season, racking up a record-setting 4,279 yards while completing nearly 70 percent of his throws. He added 29 touchdowns through the air and three more with his legs. That dual-threat ability helped earn him First-Team All-SEC honors and the prestigious Conerly Trophy.
NFL scouts love his deep ball. In fact, he led the FBS with 10.8 yards per attempt. But Dart isn’t just a stat-sheet quarterback. He brings grit, leadership, and a style that reminds some of Jalen Hurts, a player Moore coached during his time with the Eagles. The Saints haven’t drafted a quarterback in the first two rounds in fifty years, but the streak looks set to end tonight.
"What I'm being told is that Jaxson Dart is not going to fall beyond that No. 9 pick and the Saints."@AKinkhabwala with the latest buzz from the NFL Draft. pic.twitter.com/r4OR2xzNMD
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) April 24, 2025
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NFL stories via Google! Follow Us
The Giants reportedly considered trading back into the first round for Dart, according to SNY’s Connor Hughes. Now, they may not even get the chance. With teams circling and the Saints sitting in a prime spot, the pick at No. 9 could shake up the entire first round.
If Moore believes Dart is his guy, expect New Orleans to sprint to the podium. With Carr’s future in doubt, the Saints might just find their next leader under center tonight and Jaxson Dart is ready for that attention.
