It doesn’t matter the year, the attention on the NFL Draft is always centered around quarterbacks – and the 2025 edition is no different.
The 2025 NFL Draft quarterback class doesn’t have the immediate blue-chip, elite talent at the top, which has led to a fascination discussion at the top. But, it does have prospects who are worthy of consideration. Meanwhile, there is depth, with several hot names touted as potential backups in the NFL.
2025 Draft QB Rankings | 10-1
NFL Draft rankings remain fluid as we gather more information through the all-star circuit, pro days, and NFL Combine, but the top and bottom of the class have begun to separate.
10) Quinn Ewers, Texas
Quinn Ewers’ draft stock has not developed the way he expected. The former five-star recruit transferred from the Ohio State Buckeyes to the Texas Longhorns to increase his chances at the next level. But, the enigma of Arch Manning was looming large over his shoulder.
That is because Ewers doesn’t have the developed skillset to be ready right now. His footwork is messy and clunky. His uncoordinated mechanics and body control lead to too much air under the ball, meaning he underthrows deep, ushering in erratic accuracy and forced throws. The Longhorns’ quarterback struggles to get off reads, missing wide-open receivers, and did struggle with an injury in 2024.
Ewers is a project. He flashes the ability to throw with anticipation, and he has the arm talent to throw from different angles. He is capable of playing with control, poise, and rhythm, but teams should be cautious that it will take time to develop the Texas passer into an NFL-ready starter.
9) Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
Dillon Gabriel is experienced and productive. The Hawai’i native is the FBS all-time leader in total touchdowns (189) and is second in FBS history in passing yards (18,722). The sixth-year left-handed passer has had stops with the UCF Knights, Oklahoma Sooners, and Oregon Ducks and has constantly been able to read and exploit defense.
While he is undersized at 5’11” and 205 pounds, Gabriel is precise with his ball placement and operates with rhythm and momentum. The Ducks’ quarterback can pick a defense apart if left in the pocket and will be scheme-versatile in the NFL.
8) Kurtis Rouke, Indiana
Absolutely no one can fault Kurtis Rourke’s mentality and resolve. The Indiana Hoosiers passer commanded the offense with poise, accuracy, and balance in 2024 while playing with a torn ACL.
Rourke has the profile of an NFL backup, where his arm strength, intelligence, and awareness can keep him on an NFL roster for a long time. However, his injury may cause him to slip down the board in April.
7) Kyle McCord, Syracuse
Kyle McCord has showcased resilience and bounceback-ability in his college career. The former Ohio State quarterback was disappointed that he would not be the starter in Colombus, which led to his transfer to the Syracuse Orange. However, the move has ascended his draft stock, where his accuracy and decision-making have been more prominent.
While there are plays where McCord is inconsistent and becomes panicked under pressure, the Orange’s passer has flashed the ability to manage games from the pocket when kept clean, displaying confidence, competence, and ball drive in short and deep areas.
6) Will Howard, Ohio State
Leading the Buckeyes to a National Championship is enough to put you on the NFL’s radar. Will Howard’s subtle confidence, leadership, and physical profile will have teams intrigued.
The former Kansas State quarterback is poised in the pocket, has a strong arm, and quickly goes through his reads. Howard is composed under pressure and has underrated athleticism at 6’4” and 236 pounds, but some errant throws on tape were negated by his Buckeyes’ receivers being overwhelmingly dominant.
5) Tyler Shough, Louisville
It has been a long road for Tyler Shough to reach this point in his career. But when healthy, his tape pops. The former four-star recruit backed up Justin Herbert at Oregon before being named the starter during COVID. He then transferred to Texas Tech in 2021. Shough started four games before breaking his collarbone. Injuries have been a constant theme throughout the Louisville prospect’s career.
In 2022, Shough suffered a shoulder injury and then broke his leg in 2023 that required surgery. It led to the quarterback transferring to Louisville, where he has turned his flashes into consistent production over a 12-game season.
The lengthy college career means that Shough will be a 26-year-old rookie, but he has arm talent and natural athleticism. The 6’5”, 219-pound quarterback has precise accuracy to lead an offense with control. He can read presnap and has keen anticipation and awareness.
4) Jalen Milroe, Alabama
Not many quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft have an elite trait—a trait to hang your hat on. Jalen Milroe does. The Alabama quarterback is a gifted runner. At 6’2” and 217 pounds, he was clocked running a 4.37 40-yard dash at his Pro Day, and that speed is translatable.
The Crimson Tide quarterback is an elusive runner when on-script. He is one of the most electric, influential rushing quarterbacks that have entered the NFL in some time, and his elite ability to produce explosive runs can change the course of an offensive drive.
However, Milroe needs to rewire his passing mechanics completely. He is infuriatingly inconsistent with his technique, which varies sporadically from down to down. He occasionally flashes elite touch downfield, but then he is mindbogglingly inaccurate in the short and intermediate areas, especially over the middle.
There is no doubt that Milroe has traits and physical tools. But he needs time and work if you are going to invest in him.
3) Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss
Jaxson Dart is a dual-threat quarterback with excellent rushing ability and a beautiful deep ball. The Ole Miss passer has become an RPO king in Lane Kiffin’s offense, where his arm strength, accuracy, and mechanics allow him to throw with the right touch and velocity. Meanwhile, his ability to extend plays with his explosive athleticism is a big plus.
However, the Ole Miss offense is not conducive to the NFL, and there are question marks over how quickly Dart could transition to a pro-style offense. The Rebels quarterback is also a slow processor in a scheme that has limited reads, and he becomes panicked under pressure. While Dart has an intriguing physical profile, he will need considerable development and refinement at the next level.
2) Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
The Sanders family has focused the eyes of the sporting world on Boulder, where Shedeur Sanders has proven he is one of the top passers in the game.
The Colorado Buffaloes quarterback potentially has the most NFL-ready skillset of all passers in the 2025 draft class. His field general aura allows him to be accurate with the football, go through reads, and get the ball out quickly. He is able to control the game with his natural feel and vision. All while playing behind one of the worst offensive lines in college football.
However, the 6’2”, 212-pound quarterback has below-average arm strength, and his deep balls tend to fade. Furthermore, Sanders doesn’t have the athletic movement to escape pressure regularly and drifts into rushers too often.
1) Cam Ward, Miami (FL)
Cam Ward has firmly established himself as the top quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Miami Hurricanes passer elevated his game to new heights in 2024, finishing with 4,313 yards and 39 touchdowns, capping off his unexpected college journey, following a remarkable rise from a 0-star recruit.
After starting his career at his only scholarship offer, Ward passed for a total of 6,908 yards and 71 touchdowns in 19 games with the Incarnate Word Cardinals before transferring to the Washington State Cougars. With the Cougars, the dynamic quarterback passed for 6,968 yards and 48 touchdowns. But also threw 16 interceptions.
Ward was then tempted by declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft, but the lure of the U drew him to South Florida.
Throughout his college career, Ward has always displayed playmaking tendencies. The Miami quarterback has a natural, live arm and can throw from different angles to make plays at all three levels of the field. Also, possessing strong instincts and creative athletic ability to escape rushers and navigate the pocket, Ward has the overall fundamentals of a modern NFL quarterback. However, ball security has been a concern throughout his career.
With 23 interceptions in the last three seasons, Ward can become panicked and force the ball into coverage. His decision-making can be impulsive, and the future QB1 must rein in turnovers at the next level. Meanwhile, 43 fumbles in the last four seasons must also be cleaned up.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, basketball, and more!
