The 2025 NFL Draft is just a little over a month away, and the mock drafts are still pouring in. For the New Orleans Saints at No. 9 overall, predictions have varied across the board of available prospects from all positions, but ESPN's Mel Kiper had a specific player in mind.
"Last year, in mock 3.0, I had Bo Nix going to a team that actually ended up taking him – the Denver Broncos. I got talked out of that in mock 4.0," Kiper said on ESPN's "Get Up." "Nobody's talking me out of this one, (show host Mike Greenberg). Jaxson Dart locked into the Saints at nine for me right now."
Kiper spoke highly of Dart's abilities as a quarterback and also gave a shout out to the Ole Miss product's ability to scramble, an aspect of his game he called underrated.
"This is an NFC now that has (Washington Commanders quarterback) Jayden (Daniels), (Chicago Bears quarterback) Caleb (Williams), (Atlanta Falcons quarterback) Michael Penix Jr," Kiper said. "The (NFC South) division now with Penix Jr and two No. 1 overall picks in (Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback) Baker (Mayfield) and (Carolina Panthers quarterback) Bryce Young.
"Now, you get Jaxson Dart. You have to keep up with the division, (Greenberg). With the Saints, you have a new coach and now, a new quarterback coming in together."
.@MelKiperESPN explains why he has Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart going No. 9 overall to the Saints 😯 pic.twitter.com/2wOLx9f51v
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) March 18, 2025
Earlier in March, the Saints re-constructed starting quarterback Derek Carr's contract to keep him on the team this season. New Orleans also still has 2024 fifth round pick Spencer Rattler as Carr's primary backup.