The New Orleans Saints kicked off the 2024 season with a promising start, but things quickly spiraled as they stumbled to a disappointing 5-12 finish. Following this lackluster campaign, the team made a significant decision by parting ways with head coach Dennis Allen, signaling a commitment to change under new leadership with Kellen Moore at the helm.
One of the most pressing areas requiring attention is the quarterback position. With a strong opportunity to revamp their roster, the Saints should seriously consider drafting Jaxson Dart.
Moving On From Derek Carr
The Saints find themselves navigating a complex cap situation with Derek Carr at the center of it. Carr was recently asked about restructuring his contract to help the team’s financial flexibility. His response was anything but conciliatory: “I wouldn’t take a pay cut. Yeah, I wouldn’t do that. Especially with what I put on tape. Would I restructure? Absolutely. I’ll always help the team that way. But there’s some things that you put out there that you earned…” His comments reveal a tension between the desire to contribute to the team and the respect he feels he deserves as a quarterback.
While Carr had his moments, he hasn’t played like a franchise quarterback capable of leading the Saints back to playoff contention. It’s clear that embracing a new direction at quarterback is crucial for the franchise’s future. This makes the upcoming NFL Draft a pivotal opportunity to secure a new face for the offense.
Saints Drafting Jaxson Dart
Among the draft prospects this year, Jaxson Dart is emerging as a standout, and he could be the perfect fit for the Saints. Although names like Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward are garnering a significant amount of attention, Dart stands out as the most well-rounded quarterback in this class.
Drawing from his experiences at Ole Miss under head coach Lane Kiffin, Dart has shown he can be the catalyst for a dynamic offense. He played a crucial role in leading the Rebels to their first 11-win season in 2023, and while the following season had its ups and downs, he consistently demonstrated growth and potential.
Dart’s skill set is impressive: he can deliver throws from different arm angles, reaching all three levels of the field with ease. His ability to read defenses pre-snap and make necessary adjustments in real-time is a testament to his football IQ. With an impressive career stat line boasting 11,979 yards and 81 touchdowns against just 27 interceptions, his accuracy and command of the game are hard to overlook.
Moreover, Dart adds an exciting dimension to the Saints’ offense with his rushing ability, highlighted by 1,543 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground. His leadership qualities make him an ideal candidate to not only step in as the starting quarterback but to also help steer the franchise back to competitive football. Embracing Jaxson Dart as the new signal-caller could very well be the turning point the Saints need to revitalize their offense and rejuvenate their fan base.
