Mel Kiper, Field Yates break down new projected landing spot for Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart

In the latest edition of their joint mock draft, ESPN analysts Mel Kiper and Field Yates have the Cleveland Browns making a significant trade to target one guy in the bottom of the first round. Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart.

The ESPN duo had Cleveland trading its pick with Washington for the No. 29 overall selection in the draft. Then they have the Browns taking Dart.

“The Browns have made the decision, trade up for Jaxson Dart,” Yates explained to show host Laura Rutledge on a SportsCenter Special. “Oldest quarterback, led the FBS in yards per attempt last year. He’s a good vertical thrower down the field. He’s got some good athletic ability as well, does Jaxson Dart.

“I have him as the 35th player overall on my board. This is just a small jump up in terms of the order to where he lands. And in this case we know, quarterback, you have to be very careful. You try to get too cute and wait until No. 33 overall the New York Giants could jump ahead of you.”

With quarterback uncertainty, Cleveland needs to start building for the future. Yates sees that happening with Jaxson Dart.

“The Browns need a quarterback to add to their stable,” Yates said. “That room, of course, now includes Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett. Room for a drafted quarterback. I believe very high in the order.”

So what did Kiper think of the selection, which was made by Yates in this edition of the mock draft? Well, he had a few different thoughts.

But generally speaking, he’s a fan. He can see how it would work.

“I like it. I like it,” Kiper said. “I think when you talk about exciting the fanbase you’ve got Travis Hunter coming to that organization at pick No. 2 (in our mock draft), that juice to the offense. Well hey, you’ve got juice to the offense, you’ve got to get somebody to get you the ball.

“And Jaxson Dart, we’ve talked about him. He can be a really good starting quarterback. Talked about will New Orleans take Jaxson Dart or Shedeur Sanders at the ninth pick overall? That’s not too high, Jaxson Dart has a lot of talent. People underestimate his arm. How about the athletic ability? I want to see him use those legs, over 1,500 rushing yards the last three years. He improved every year in that program.”

That’s not to say there won’t be question marks about Jaxson Dart. There most certainly will be.

There might not be a single slam dunk quarterback prospect in this year’s draft. And Dart is generally viewed a notch or two below the likes of Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders.

“Does he have wow factor in any one area? No, but he’s good in all areas, solid in all areas and he’s highly competitive,” Kiper said. “I think for the Cleveland Browns in a division where you have Lamar (Jackson) and (Joe) Burrow and the great AFC, you’ve got to keep swinging at quarterback. And to go get your guy, I don’t think was too much to give up. I like the move.”