Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart’s pre-draft evaluation tour continued with a visit to the Las Vegas Raiders following a meeting with the Cleveland Browns. This information was reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Field Yates, who also highlighted the “significant time” Dart has previously spent with the New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, and the Los Angeles Rams.
Las Vegas Raiders To Meet With QB Jaxson Dart
Earlier in the pre-draft process, on March 27th, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport had also noted the “significant time” both the Browns and the Giants dedicated to assessing Dart. This consistent level of engagement from multiple teams underscores the growing intrigue surrounding the young quarterback and suggests the possibility of him being selected in the latter portion of the first round of the upcoming draft.
The 21-year-old Dart, who transferred to Ole Miss after one season at USC and started for three years with the Rebels, put together an impressive 2024 season. He completed 69.3 percent of his passes for 4,279 yards, averaging a notable 10.8 yards per attempt, and threw for 29 touchdowns while only recording six interceptions.
While several teams have shown considerable interest in Dart, the Raiders’ potential fit warrants specific consideration, especially given their recent quarterback moves. Las Vegas solidified their quarterback room by signing Geno Smith to a two-year, $75 million extension through 2027. This move seemingly provides the Raiders with a veteran starter for the foreseeable future.
However, despite this commitment to Smith, the Raiders could still view Dart as a valuable high-quality backup with significant potential to develop into their future franchise quarterback. Investing in a promising young talent like Dart could provide long-term security and a succession plan at a crucial position.
Ultimately, the substantial buzz surrounding Jaxson Dart throughout the pre-draft process indicates that a team trading up from the top of the second round into the back end of the first to acquire him would not be an unexpected scenario, highlighting the value and future potential that NFL teams, including the Las Vegas Raiders, see in the young quarterback.