What if the 2025 QB draft class is more about depth than a single superstar?
Scouts came into spring saying fewer than four quarterbacks would go on Day 1, and the class mostly proved them right.
No generational arm emerged, but a lot of mid- and late-round options showed starter upside.
This ranking cuts through the noise, and top college prospects like Cam Ward, Jaxson Dart and Jalen Milroe get graded by film, testing and pro readiness.
We explain who can start now, who’s a boom-or-bust pick, and what teams should watch.
Key Overview of the 2025 Quarterback Draft Class Landscape
The 2025 QB draft class showed up with way less first-round firepower than 2024, which tied the record by taking six quarterbacks in round one. This year’s group? Built on late-round depth, not star power at the top. Evaluators figured fewer than four signal-callers would get picked on Day 1. Over the past decade, an average of 7.6 quarterbacks go within the first 150 picks. This class hit that mark when all 14 quarterbacks eventually got selected across seven rounds.
Cam Ward and Jaxson Dart sat at the top of most boards as the consensus first-rounders. Ward’s 95th percentile EPA per play and Dart’s 329 passing yards per game gave them elite production profiles. Just behind them, Jalen Milroe brought rare dual-threat upside as the only FBS player responsible for 30-plus touchdowns through the air and ground in consecutive seasons. Accuracy concerns kept him outside the top 15 on many final rankings, though. Shedeur Sanders, Kyle McCord, and Tyler Shough formed a second tier with legitimate starter upside but varying levels of risk. Sanders’ elite completion rate. Shough’s age and injury history.
The class didn’t have a clear generational arm talent but made up for it with breadth. Mid-round names like Dillon Gabriel, Will Howard, and Riley Leonard offered different developmental pathways, from prolific college production to athletic projection plays. Teams understood that finding a long-term answer after the third round was still a low-probability bet. Since 2022, only Brock Purdy has developed into a multi-year starter after being selected beyond pick 150. He was the final pick of that draft.
Consensus top six QB prospects by production and projection:
- Cam Ward (Miami) — 9.3 yards per dropback, 22 sacks taken, top-tier charted accuracy
- Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss) — 10.8 yards per attempt, 81st percentile EPA, led FBS in deep completions
- Jalen Milroe (Alabama) — 83rd percentile QBR, 30-plus TDs in two straight seasons, fringe 4.3s speed
- Shedeur Sanders (Colorado) — 74 percent completion rate, only eight turnover-worthy plays in 2024
- Kyle McCord (Syracuse) — 4,479 passing yards, 24 to 6 touchdown to interception ratio, 11 to 1 record at Ohio State
- Tyler Shough (Louisville) — 9 percent sack rate under pressure, just four turnover-worthy plays on early downs
Top Quarterback Prospects Headlining the 2025 QB Draft Class
1. Cam Ward (Miami) — Early Round 1 grade. 6’2″, 219 pounds with five years of experience across DIII Incarnate Word, Washington State, and Miami. Posted 95th percentile EPA per play while managing just 22 sacks. Quick delivery from multiple arm angles with a Tier 2 power arm classification and near-class-best charted accuracy.
2. Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss) — Early Round 1 grade. 6’2″, 222 pounds with three years as a starter after transferring from USC. Averaged 329 passing yards per game with an elite 9.7 yards per dropback on non-RPO, non-screen throws. Led college football in completions beyond 15 yards while posting a wild 15.0 average depth of target against Power 5 defenses with only a 2 percent turnover-worthy play rate.
3. Jalen Milroe (Alabama) — Late Round 1 grade. 22-year-old early declare with two years starting experience who can throw the ball 60-plus yards without stepping into passes. Posted 83rd percentile QBR and 7.9 yards per dropback removing RPOs and screens. He owns the worst accuracy in the class by a wide margin despite PFF charting him with the best pass grade beyond the first read. Projects as one of the best QB rushers in the NFL immediately with fringe 4.3s speed.
4. Shedeur Sanders (Colorado) — Early Round 2 grade. 6’1″, 212 pounds with 50 career starts at 23 years old. Took zero under-center dropbacks in 2024 and completed the most screen receptions among Power 5 QBs with 102. Still posted 72nd percentile EPA per play with 7.3 yards per dropback on non-RPO and non-screen throws and a minuscule 1.7 percent turnover-worthy play rate despite facing a 32nd percentile strength of schedule.
5. Tyler Shough (Louisville) — Round 2 grade. 6’5″, 225 pounds as a 25-year-old redshirt senior with seven college seasons. Posted only four turnover-worthy plays on first or second down all season with a class-best 9 percent sack rate while under pressure and 7.1 yards per dropback removing RPOs and screens. Ran a 4.63 forty at the combine and averaged just 5.0 yards per scramble with a max gain of nine yards and cumulative negative 2.4 EPA on runs.
The separation between the Round 1 and Day 2 tiers came down to immediate NFL readiness versus long-term projection. Ward and Dart offered the most complete packages with pocket passing efficiency and enough mobility to extend plays. Milroe represented the high-variance bet on elite athleticism outweighing decision-making concerns. Sanders and Shough slid into the second round because of context factors. Sanders due to shotgun-only offense and age. Shough due to age and injury history limiting his runway. The gap in actual draft capital reflected teams prioritizing proven pocket management and accuracy over raw tools and developmental timelines.
Film Study Breakdown and Throwing Mechanics in the 2025 QB Draft Class
The film told different stories depending on which quarterback you studied. Cam Ward’s delivery stood out for its variety and adaptability, using multiple arm angles to fit throws into tight windows while maintaining a Tier 2 power arm classification that let him drive the ball downfield without sacrificing placement. His charted accuracy near the top of the draft class reflected consistent ball placement on timing routes and an ability to layer throws over linebackers into the second level. Jaxson Dart operated at the opposite end of the aggression spectrum, leading the entire class in deep completions while posting a 15.0 average depth of target on normal dropbacks against Power 5 defenses. Yet his 2 percent turnover-worthy play rate showed he understood when to attack and when to check down.
Jalen Milroe’s film presented the widest variance in the class. He charted as the worst in accuracy by a significant margin, yet PFF graded him with the best pass performance beyond the first read. When he had time to scan the field and identify openings, his arm talent could compensate for inconsistent mechanics. Shedeur Sanders displayed elite anticipation and timing, throwing receivers open on intermediate routes with strong ball placement, but his tendency to drift backward in the pocket cost him opportunities. That contributed to an EPA loss on sacks that ranked in the bottom 5th percentile among drafted quarterbacks. Tyler Shough’s film revealed a smart processor who avoided pressure better than anyone in the class, posting just a 9 percent sack rate when under duress, though his 4.63 forty time showed up in his limited scramble production.
| QB Name | Mechanical Strength | Mechanical Weakness | Film-Study Trait |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cam Ward | Multiple arm angles, quick release | Occasional balance issues on deep shots | Elite layering on intermediate routes |
| Jaxson Dart | Explosive lower body, deep-ball timing | Limited under-center experience (15 snaps in 2024) | Aggressive downfield without turnover spike |
| Jalen Milroe | Plus arm strength, effortless velocity | Inconsistent footwork, accuracy scatter | Best beyond first read per PFF charting |
| Shedeur Sanders | Timing and anticipation on intermediate throws | Drifts backward in pocket, below-average size | 1.7% turnover-worthy play rate |
| Tyler Shough | Pressure navigation, quick decision-making | Limited arm strength on deep outs | 9% sack rate under pressure, class-best |
Athletic Testing, Mobility Profiles, and Measurables in the 2025 QB Draft Class
Jalen Milroe set the athleticism standard with fringe 4.3s speed that projects him as one of the most dangerous rushing quarterbacks in the NFL immediately upon arrival. His ability to generate 30-plus touchdowns through the air and ground in consecutive seasons reflected that rare blend of size, speed, and power. Makes him a legitimate threat on designed runs and scrambles alike. Jaxson Dart quietly emerged as a high-level athlete late in his final college season, averaging 61 rushing yards per game over his final four SEC matchups with 40 scrambles versus just 29 sacks taken. His rushing EPA ranked in the 67th percentile among quarterbacks drafted since 2005.
Tyler Shough’s 4.63 forty time at the combine matched his film, showing adequate straight-line speed but limited burst or change-of-direction ability. That showed up in his 5.0 yards per scramble average and a maximum gain of just nine yards on any single run. The surprise athletic story came from Tommy Mellott, who scored a 9.68 Relative Athletic Score despite projection questions about whether he’d remain a quarterback or shift to wide receiver at the NFL level. Will Howard added 26 rushing touchdowns during his college career, demonstrating toughness and size over dynamic playmaking. Riley Leonard blended accurate short and intermediate throws with designed-run value as a large, excellent athlete who occasionally bailed outside the pocket too quickly when clean.
Top mobility traits across the 2025 QB class:
- Jalen Milroe’s fringe 4.3s speed projects as immediate elite rushing threat at NFL level
- Jaxson Dart averaged 61 rushing yards per game over final four SEC contests
- Riley Leonard offers designed-run package value with accuracy on layered short throws
- Tommy Mellott posted 9.68 RAS with first-team FCS All-American honors in 2024
- Will Howard contributed 26 rushing touchdowns across college career with size and toughness
- Tyler Shough’s limited mobility (4.63 forty, 5.0 yards per scramble) offset by pocket awareness
Statistical Production and College Performance Indicators for 2025 QB Prospects
Jaxson Dart led the class in pure passing volume, averaging 329 yards per game with a 10.8 yards per attempt average that ranked in the 81st percentile for EPA per play among drafted quarterbacks. His willingness to attack downfield separated him from conservative passers, yet his 2 percent turnover-worthy play rate proved he understood risk management even while operating with a 15.0 average depth of target on normal dropbacks. Cam Ward posted slightly lower volume but maintained elite efficiency with 9.3 yards per dropback when removing RPOs and screens, taking just 22 sacks across the entire season while charting near the top of the class in accuracy metrics.
Kyle McCord’s 4,479 passing yards led the entire country in 2024, paired with a clean 24 to 6 touchdown to interception ratio that reflected smart decision-making despite a 65.6 percent completion rate that suggested room for improvement on short accuracy. Shedeur Sanders completed 74 percent of his passes and posted 72nd percentile EPA per play, though his 102 screen completions among Power 5 quarterbacks inflated his volume numbers. His tendency to take sacks showed up in bottom 5th percentile EPA lost to pressure. Jalen Milroe balanced 83rd percentile QBR with inconsistent accuracy, aided by a 5 percent drop rate from receivers that masked some of his placement issues, while his 7.9 yards per dropback removing RPOs and screens fell behind the top-tier passers but still projected as above-average among dual-threat quarterbacks.
Will Howard capped his college career by leading Ohio State to a national championship, completing 73 percent of his passes with 35 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. His 2.9 percent interception rate ranked second-worst among the top eight prospects behind only Milroe’s 3.0 percent. The statistical profile suggested a safe processor who avoided catastrophic mistakes but lacked the dynamic playmaking that separates franchise quarterbacks from career backups.
| QB | YPA | Completion % | TD–INT | EPA Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cam Ward | 9.3 (non-RPO/screen) | Not specified | 158 career TDs | 95th |
| Jaxson Dart | 10.8 | Not specified | 50+ career differential | 81st |
| Jalen Milroe | 7.9 (non-RPO/screen) | Not specified | 30+ TDs each year (combined) | 63rd |
| Shedeur Sanders | 7.3 (non-RPO/screen) | 74% | 8 turnover-worthy plays (2024) | 72nd |
| Kyle McCord | Not specified | 65.6% | 24–6 | Not specified |
Draft Stock Movement, Risers and Fallers in the 2025 QB Draft Class
Preseason projections placed Shedeur Sanders as a potential top-10 pick based on his completion rate and anticipation skills. But he slid all the way to the fifth round at pick 144 after concerns about his shotgun-only offense, below-average size, and tendency to drift backward in the pocket accumulated throughout the evaluation process. The gap between expectation and reality highlighted how teams valued immediate NFL readiness and physical tools over college production when drafting a long-term franchise quarterback. Quinn Ewers represented the opposite trajectory, entering the process as a high-profile prospect who had turned down $8 million in NIL money to stay at Texas, only to fall to the final pick of the seventh round after throwing four interceptions across three postseason games and missing seven total games over three years.
Biggest stock movers in the 2025 QB draft cycle:
- Dillon Gabriel rose to Round 3 despite concerns about size, processing speed, arm strength, and accuracy, selected at pick 94 by Cleveland ahead of more-hyped prospects
- Shedeur Sanders fell to Round 5, pick 144 after entering as a potential top-10 candidate, with shotgun-only experience and sack-taking habits dropping his stock
- Jalen Milroe stayed polarizing between late Round 1 and early Day 2 as teams debated elite athleticism versus decision-making consistency, going pick 92 to Seattle
- Quinn Ewers slid to Round 7, pick 231 as the final quarterback selected despite high profile and reported $8M NIL decision, with postseason interceptions and injury history tanking value
- Tyler Shough’s age and health kept him out of Round 1 despite strong production, landing at pick 40 to New Orleans as a 25-year-old with seven college seasons
ACL injuries to Graham Mertz and Kurtis Rourke eliminated any chance of Day 2 selection. Both landed in the sixth and seventh rounds respectively as developmental fliers for teams willing to wait on recovery timelines. Mertz tore his ACL during his final college season at age 24, while Rourke underwent surgery in January after never establishing himself as notably mobile, consistent, or accurate even when healthy. Late-season performance also shifted evaluations, particularly for Jaxson Dart, who averaged 61 rushing yards over his final four SEC games and cemented his status as a legitimate dual-threat option rather than a pure pocket passer.
Team Fits, Franchise Needs, and Mock Draft Scenarios for the 2025 QB Class
The Tennessee Titans selected Cam Ward with the first overall pick, viewing him as a quality franchise prospect who could develop behind an improved offensive line. That provided a favorable environment for a young quarterback learning to navigate NFL speed and complexity. Ward’s quick delivery and multiple arm angles fit Tennessee’s desire for a passer who could execute timing routes while still creating off-schedule when protection broke down. The New York Giants traded up to select Jaxson Dart at pick 25, signaling their willingness to invest draft capital in a long-term developmental project with significant risk but also a high ceiling if his deep-ball accuracy and rushing ability translated to the NFL level.
New Orleans invested early Day 2 capital in Tyler Shough at pick 40, betting that his age and injury history could be managed within a short window if he contributed immediately as a bridge quarterback or developed into a starter despite turning 26 during his rookie season. The Cleveland Browns doubled up on quarterbacks, taking Dillon Gabriel at pick 94 and Shedeur Sanders at pick 144, suggesting an organizational philosophy of accumulating developmental options rather than betting everything on a single high-priced prospect. The Pittsburgh Steelers targeted Will Howard at pick 185 as a system fit, believing his size, toughness, and national championship experience could develop under a hands-on play-caller who maximized limited arm strength through quick-game concepts and layered route combinations.
Notable team-to-QB fits across the 2025 draft:
- Tennessee Titans with Cam Ward — Improved offensive line creates ideal development environment for quick-release passer with elite accuracy metrics and Tier 2 arm strength
- New York Giants trading up for Jaxson Dart — Willing to accept long developmental runway for highest-upside deep-ball thrower in class with 81st percentile EPA and elite rushing ability
- New Orleans Saints investing Day 2 capital in Tyler Shough — Age and injury history offset by immediate need for bridge option who posted class-best 9% sack rate under pressure
- Cleveland Browns doubling up on Gabriel and Sanders — Organizational strategy of accumulating developmental QBs rather than single high-capital bet, creates internal competition
- Miami Dolphins selecting Quinn Ewers late in Round 7 — Controlled quick-passing scheme matches his profile, with potential injury opportunities creating pathway to playing time
Comparison of the 2025 QB Draft Class to Recent Quarterback Classes
The 2024 draft tied the all-time record with six quarterbacks selected in the first round. Impossible standard for the 2025 class to match. This year’s group lacked that top-heavy star power, with most evaluators projecting fewer than four signal-callers to hear their names called on Day 1, a reality that played out when only Cam Ward and Jaxson Dart landed in Round 1 during the actual draft. The shift from 2024’s depth of first-round talent to 2025’s emphasis on Day 2 and Day 3 developmental prospects reflected a broader trend of teams becoming more willing to wait on quarterbacks rather than reach for flawed prospects in the premium selection range.
Historical context showed an average of 7.6 quarterbacks taken within the first 150 picks over the past decade, a benchmark this class met when 14 total quarterbacks were drafted across all seven rounds. The difference came in distribution. 2025 producing a higher percentage of mid-to-late round selections compared to previous years. Since 2022, only Brock Purdy, the final pick of that draft at pick 262, developed into a multi-year starter after being selected beyond pick 150. That made the Day 3 quarterback selections more about backup value and special teams contributions than realistic franchise-quarterback projection.
Key comparisons between 2025 and recent QB classes:
- Top-end talent gap — 2024 featured six first-rounders, while 2025 produced only two, reflecting weaker consensus on elite prospects
- Class depth advantage — 2025’s 14 total quarterbacks drafted exceeded the decade average of 7.6 selected in top 150 picks, showing teams valued developmental depth
- Athleticism vs. processing divide — Recent classes emphasized pro-ready pocket passers, while 2025 featured more high-variance athletic projects like Milroe, Leonard, and Mellott
- Long-term starter probability — Historical data shows only Brock Purdy since 2022 became multi-year starter after pick 150, making late-round 2025 selections low-probability bets
Final Words
In the action, we ran through the whole board — class strength, the five headliners, film and mechanics, athletic testing, college production, stock swings, and team fits.
You’ve got clear tiering: a couple true first‑round options, several Day‑2 candidates, and developmental pieces that moved up or down. The scouting notes and stats help separate arm talent from decision‑making and mobility.
Keep an eye on board movement — the 2025 qb draft class has upside and playmakers who can change a room. That’s exciting.
FAQ
Q: Who are the QBs in the 2025 draft class?
A: The QBs in the 2025 draft class include Cam Ward, Jaxson Dart, Jalen Milroe, Shedeur Sanders, Kyle McCord, Caleb Shough, Tommy Mellott, Will Howard, Riley Leonard and several Day‑2/3 prospects.
Q: Is Diego Pavia a pro prospect?
A: Diego Pavia is viewed by some scouts as a pro prospect worth watching, but he’s not widely projected as an early‑round player; teams want more tape and NFL testing to set his draft range.
Q: Who will be the best QB in the 2026 draft?
A: The best QB in the 2026 draft is unknown this early; there’s no consensus yet — next season’s performance, bowl games and combine testing will reveal the clear favorites.
Q: Why did Shedeur Sanders drop in the draft?
A: Shedeur Sanders dropped in the draft because teams flagged decision‑making issues, turnover‑worthy plays, sack exposure and pro‑level trait concerns, which outweighed his college accuracy and pushed him later.