The 2025 NFL Draft is just under a month away, and the Pittsburgh Steelers have an important decision to make with the 21st overall pick. The 2025 defensive tackle class is one of the most stacked positional groups in recent memory, potentially opening the door for the Steel City to target a D-lineman in the third round instead.
Another major area of concern remains finding the next starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers. And while it could take another decade to truly nail down the position—could Ole Miss Rebels QB Jaxson Dart be the answer to the Black and Gold's woes?
- Name: Jaxson Dart
- College: Ole Miss
- Height: 6'2"
- Weight: 223 lbs
- 40-yard dash: N/A (projected 4.8–4.9 seconds)
Stats:
2021 (6 games):Passing – 1,353 yards, 9 TDs, 5 INTs, 61.9 completion %Rushing – 22 attempts, 43 yards, 2 TDs
2022 (13 games):Passing – 2,974 yards, 20 TDs, 11 INTs, 62.4 completion %Rushing – 128 attempts, 614 yards, 1 TD
2023 (13 games):Passing – 3,364 yards, 23 TDs, 5 INTs, 65.1 completion %Rushing – 119 attempts, 389 yards, 8 TDs
2024 (13 games):Passing – 4,279 yards, 29 TDs, 6 INTs, 69.3 completion %Rushing – 124 attempts, 495 yards, 3 TDs
Strengths:
Dart possesses the ability to shred man coverage with anticipatory throws, and he’s shown great decision-making on third downs. One talent he’s showcased—something some of the great NFL QBs have in their repertoire—is his ability to draw defenses offsides and into the neutral zone with a varied snap count. He boasts impressive escapability and can step up in the pocket when needed. His ability to throw on the move with a quick release is one of his best traits.
Weaknesses:
Despite his above-average mobility, his deep ball and overall arm strength leave much to be desired. He can also get locked onto his first read, forcing passes to the primary option even when covered. Another concern is that his collegiate success may have been a product of the Ole Miss offensive system, and he might struggle to adapt to a pro-style NFL offense. With that in mind, the Ole Miss prospect also has limited experience under center. His throwing mechanics need refinement—especially when facing pressure at the next level.
How would he fit on the Steelers’ offense?
Dart has the Black and Gold faithful excitedly calling for the Pittsburgh Steelers to draft him with the 21st overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft—but would he actually be a good fit? In an offense-driven league, Dart’s above-average athleticism wouldn’t be enough to save the Steelers’ offense, and his arm talent isn’t consistently strong enough to build around long-term. Beyond his less-than ideal deep-ball accuracy, Dart checks all the boxes for short to intermediate throws. With this in mind, he would profile more as a short-term stop-gap quarterback than a true franchise solution—but is that enough to justify a first round pick on?
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: 2025 NFL ...
