Justin Fields’s presence apparently hasn’t excluded the quarterback position at No. 7.
Todd McShay, an NFL draft expert for The Ringer, put a 30 percent chance on the possibility of the New York Jets selecting Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart in the first round. McShay made the remarks on Thursday’s edition of “The Bill Simmons Podcast.”
“The Jets could throw us a curveball the first night,” McShay said on a new episode of “The Bill Simmons Podcast.”
“Let’s just get it out there now,” McShay began. “I’m not saying [it will] happen, but I think there’s a little bit of love for Jaxson Dart in that building. Let’s put a 25-30 percent chance, at most, at this point (that the Jets draft him at No. 7).”
Additionally, McShay reinforced his belief with an X post later that day.
Dart, 21, is this draft’s high riser. While at least one quarterback rises late in the NFL draft process, the Ole Miss signal-caller is rising in a way that’s quaking the entirety of the New York Jets universe.
Though the NFL draft rumors haven’t ceased, talk regarding Dart-to-the-Jets died down once New York signed free agent Justin Fields to a two-year, $40 million deal with $30 million in guarantees. McShay is doing his best to put that connection back in the forefront.
Interestingly, a couple of mock drafts last weekend saw Dart drafted well before No. 7. One of PFF’s latest mocks had the top three quarterbacks going one, two, and three, whereas Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter fell to the Jets at No. 7.
Such a scenario feels near-impossible to occur, but it’s at least a testament to just how coveted quarterbacks are in the NFL draft.
Aaron Glenn’s New York Jets currently hold the No. 7 pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft. They’re also slated to select 42nd (Round 2), 73rd (Round 3), 110th (Round 4), 145th (Round 5), 162nd (Round 5), 186th (Round 6), and 207th (Round 6).
