Jaxson Dart’s NFL Future: Is He Seattle’s Next Big Thing or a Risky Gamble?
The Hype, the Doubts, and the $75M Shake-Up
Jaxson Dart is a name that refuses to stay out of NFL speculation. Depending on who you ask, he’s either a future franchise quarterback or a raw talent who needs serious development before taking an NFL snap. Now, the latest buzz suggests that the former Ole Miss star might be heading to Seattle—potentially replacing a $75 million veteran. But is he truly ready to take that leap? And is Seattle really willing to roll the dice on him?
While the excitement around Dart’s NFL potential grows, not everyone is convinced. NFL analyst Tom Downey made his stance clear during his Cowboys Report by Chat Sports podcast on March 8, where he didn’t mince words.
“Jaxson Dart in the top 10 is nonsense. Like, what are we doing out here? … I’ve got like late Day 2, early Day 3 grade on Jaxson Dart. He’s not going to be there for you anyway.”
That’s a hard reality check, considering Dart’s eye-popping numbers at Ole Miss—4,279 passing yards, a 69.3% completion rate, and an impressive 29-to-6 TD-INT ratio in his final season. But here’s the kicker: Downey believes Dart’s success is more about Lane Kiffin’s offensive system than the quarterback’s pure talent.
“Jaxson Dart and the Lane Kiffin offense is—Mickey Mouse offense, it’s not real. You’re not asking him to do the same [as an NFL QB] … If you drop Jaxson Dart right now in an NFL offense, he’d go, ‘Oh my God, what am I supposed to do here?’ I think he needs at least a year to get up to speed with what the NFL wants to do on offense. He is a talented QB, but it’s all, like, above-average stuff.”
Despite the skepticism, Dart ranked first in passing accuracy between 5-25 yards and second in success rate under pressure last season. Those numbers suggest he has the tools—whether or not he can translate them into an NFL setting is another story. But with the latest shake-up in Seattle, Dart could be looking at a prime opportunity.
Jaxson Dart to Seattle? The Seahawks’ Gamble Begins
Here’s where things get interesting. With the Seattle Seahawks trading Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders for a third-round pick, the team suddenly has a glaring hole at quarterback. And in a shocking turn of events, Dart’s name keeps surfacing as a potential first-rounder.
Seattle’s roster is already in rebuild mode, with major departures shaking up their depth chart. Tyler Lockett, Dre’Mont Jones, George Fant, Rayshawn Jenkins, and Roy Robertson-Harris are all gone. Even star receiver DK Metcalf has requested a trade, signaling that the Seahawks aren’t gearing up for a Super Bowl run—they’re preparing for a full-scale overhaul.
So, with no clear QB1, all eyes are on the NFL Draft. Holding the 18th overall pick, Seattle isn’t in position to grab a surefire franchise QB like Caleb Williams or Jayden Daniels. Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders are likely out of reach. That leaves a wild-card option—Jaxson Dart.
A Calculated Risk or a Disaster Waiting to Happen?
If the Seahawks select Dart, they won’t be throwing him onto the field immediately. They have the luxury of patience, allowing him to develop before taking over. The strategy worked for Patrick Mahomes, who sat behind Alex Smith before lighting up the league. But it’s also backfired before—just ask Johnny Manziel.
Dart possesses undeniable physical tools. His arm talent and athleticism make him an intriguing option. But the real question is: does he have the NFL IQ to survive? The Seahawks would be betting on potential rather than polish, which has historically been a high-risk, high-reward move.
If Seattle rolls the dice on Dart at No. 18, it’ll be one of the most talked-about picks in the draft. Boom or bust—there’s no middle ground. One thing’s for sure: if Dart does land in Seattle, all eyes will be on whether he becomes the next Mahomes… or the next Manziel.
