Breaking Down My Top 5 QBs in the 2025 NFL Draft
Analyzing the Strengths, Weaknesses, and Pro Comparisons for the Top QBs...
The 2025 NFL Draft quarterback class is filled with uncertainty. Unlike last year’s class, many analysts are down on this group of passers with questions about adjusting to the next level. Two quarterbacks stand out on top as high-ceiling prospects while other experienced veterans and project players fill out the rest of the class.
With a month left until the draft, I’ve ranked my top five quarterbacks in this year’s class based on talent, production, and potential (and a little bit of my own personal opinion).
1. Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
Age : 23
Height : 6’ 1 1/2”
Weight : 215 lbs
Games Started : 50 (24 at Colorado / 26 at Jackson State)
Career Record : 36-14 (23-3 at Jackson State / 13-11 at Colorado)
College Achievements :
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award
Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year
First Team All-Big 12
All-Time Leading Completion Percentage in NCAA
2024 Stats
74% completion
4134 passing yards
37 passing TD / 10 INT
4 fumbles / 1 lost
Career Stats
FBS
71.8% completion
7364 passing yards
64 passing TD / 13 INT
8 rush TD
9 fumbles / 3 lost
FCS
68.3% completion
6963 passing yards
70 passing TD / 14 INT
9 rush TD
8 fumbles / 5 lost
Strengths
Accuracy
Toughness
Poise/Confidence
Weaknesses
Pocket Drifting
Hero Ball
Not a True Runner
Two of My Favorite Plays
Why I Like Him
Texts to my father on September 16th 2023
I’d like to think I’m one of Shedeur’s biggest supporters. I’ve watched almost every Colorado game over the past two years and the one thing that stood out to me from the beginning was his pocket presence. Despite a horrific offensive line, he never seemed fazed.
Whenever reading about this year’s class, the negativity surrounding Shedeur stems from his ego. While some see cockiness, I see confidence. He believes in his abilities and the people surrounding him. He’ll extend plays to allow his receivers to get open and has taken some brutal hits to throw dimes. If I’m wrong, I’m wrong, but Shedeur Sanders is my QB1 in the 2025 Draft.
Team Fits :
Tennessee Titans
Cleveland Browns
New York Giants
Las Vegas Raiders
New Orleans Saints
My Draft Projection :
1st Round (Top Five)
My Pro Comp :
Joe Burrow / Geno Smith
2. Cam Ward, Miami (FL)
Age : 23
Height : 6’ 1 5/8”
Weight : 220 lbs
Games Started : 57 (13 at Miami / 25 at Washington State / 19 at Incarnate Word)
Career Record : 35-22 (10-3 at Miami / 12-13 at Washington State / 13-6 at Incarnate Word)
College Achievements :
Manning Award
Davey O’Brien Award
All-American
ACC Player of the Year
ACC Offensive Player of the Year
First Team All-ACC
2024 Stats
67.2% completion
4313 passing yards
39 passing TD / 7 INT
204 rushing yards / 4 rush TD
3 fumbles / 3 lost
Career Stats
FBS
71.8% completion
7364 passing yards
64 passing TD / 13 INT
17 rush TD
22 fumbles / 13 lost
FCS
68.3% completion
6963 passing yards
70 passing TD / 14 INT
1 rush TD
12 fumbles / 4 lost
Strengths
Playmaking
Quick Release
Experience
Weaknesses
Ball Security
Deep Ball
Pocket Presence
Two of My Favorite Plays
Why I Like Him
Experience. Factoring in the two seasons at Incarnate Word, Ward has the second most starts in the class behind Dillon Gabriel, despite being a year younger. He flew a little under the radar at Washington State because they weren’t winning. But when he entered the transfer portal last year, I wanted Ohio State to pursue him. I also like his running ability, especially improving his yards per carry this season despite 60 less carries. I think he’s the best playmaker in this class.
Team Fits :
Tennessee Titans
Cleveland Browns
New York Giants
My Draft Projection :
1st Round (Top Five)
My Pro Comp :
Baker Mayfield / Jordan Love
3. Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss
Age : 22
Height : 6’ 2”
Weight : 225 lbs
Games Started : 41 (38 at Ole Miss / 3 at USC)
Career Record : 28-13 (28-10 at Ole Miss / 0-3 at USC)
College Achievements :
SEC Season Leader in Completion Percentage
SEC Season Leader in Passing Yards
First Team All-SEC
2024 Stats
69.3% completion
4279 passing yards
29 passing TD / 6 INT
495 rushing yards / 3 rush TD
2 fumbles / 0 lost
Career Stats
FBS
65.2% completion
11970 passing yards
81 passing TD / 27 INT
1541 rushing yards / 14 rush TD
14 fumbles / 4 lost
Strengths
Athleticism
Quick Release
Toughness
Weaknesses
Deep Ball Accuracy
Telegraphs First Read
Good Defenses (particularly top SEC teams)
Two of My Favorite Plays
Why I Like Him
Jaxson Dart has been on my radar for quite some time. I thought he should’ve started over Kedon Slovis during his freshman year at USC. In his first game, he threw for 391 yards and 4 touchdowns in a win over Washington State. He was on my Heisman preseason lists the last two seasons. My favorite part about Dart is his improvement each season in SEC play, even beating #2 Georgia this past season. Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss brought out the best in him as a dual-threat QB. His rushing ability is what could separate him in this year’s class.
Team Fits :
New Orleans Saints
Pittsburgh Steelers
New York Jets
Seattle Seahawks
My Draft Projection :
Top 64 Pick (Late 1st / Early 2nd)
My Pro Comp :
Carson Wentz / Bo Nix
4. Will Howard, Ohio State
Age : 24
Height : 6’4 1/4”
Weight : 235 lbs
Games Started : 43 (27 at Kansas State / 16 at Ohio State)
Career Record : 29-14 (15-12 at Kansas State / 14-2 at Ohio State)
College Achievements :
CFP National Champion
CFP National Championship Game Offensive MVP
Big 10 Season Leader in Completion Percentage
Big 10 Season Leader in Passing Yards
Big 10 Season Leader in Passing Touchdowns
2024 Stats
73% completion
4010 passing yards
35 passing TD / 10 INT
226 rushing yards / 7 rush TD
7 fumbles / 1 lost
Career Stats
FBS
63.8% completion
9796 passing yards
83 passing TD / 35 INT
1147 rushing yards / 26 rush TD
16 fumbles / 6 lost
Strengths
Size
Leadership
Uses Legs When Needed
Weaknesses
Throwing Mechanics
Age
Pre-Determined Throws
Two of My Favorite Plays
Why I Like Him
Putting my Ohio State fan bias aside, I think Will Howard’s best trait is his leadership. With him, you’re getting a guy who struggled in his first two years at Kansas State before leading the team to a Big 12 Championship win his junior season. Then he transferred to one of the biggest college football brands in the country with high expectations and delivered a National Championship, playing some his best ball in the championship and quarterfinals.
Team Fits :
Pittsburgh Steelers
Las Vegas Raiders
Cleveland Browns
Los Angeles Rams
Jacksonville Jaguars
My Draft Projection :
3rd / 4th Rounder
My Pro Comp :
Trevor Lawrence / Mason Rudolph
5. Kyle McCord, Syracuse
Age : 23
Height : 6’ 3”
Weight : 220 lbs
Games Started : 26 (13 at Ohio State / 13 at Syracuse)
Career Record : 22-4 (12-1 at Ohio State / 10-3 at Syracuse)
College Achievements :
Led NCAA in Passing Yards
2024 Stats
66% completion
4779 passing yards
34 passing TD / 12 INT
5 fumbles / 0 lost
Career Stats
FBS
66.2% completion
8555 passing yards
61 passing TD / 20 INT
10 fumbles / 3 lost
Strengths
Developed Plays
Arm Strength
Game Management
Weaknesses
Turnover Worthy Plays
Mobility
Ball Placement
Two of My Favorite Plays
Why I Like Him
Now being an Ohio State fan, many would think that I despise Kyle McCord. They would be correct on that feeling following the 2023 season. But I thought the transfer to Syracuse would benefit McCord. I even predicted them to go 9-3 in my preseason predictions. I liked how he moved on from Ohio State and aired it out in his senior season. He played carefree (almost too much) and confident, showing off his arm strength and deep ball. He’s the most inexperienced QB on this list with only 26 starts, but only lost 4 times. The team that picks him is getting a career winner with a lot of confidence.
Team Fits :
Los Angeles Rams
Seattle Seahawks
Las Vegas Raiders
New Orleans Saints
Miami Dolphins
My Draft Projection :
5th Rounder (unless an early QB run happens)
My Pro Comp :
Kirk Cousins / Mac Jones
The rest of the class :
Quinn Ewers, Texas
Injuries, inconsistency, tried too hard to create plays
Jalen Milroe, Alabama
I believe he would excel as a running back with his build and abilities
Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
Left-handed and short, not a good NFL combo
Tyler Shough, Louisville
One season over 7 games played, three injuries, and oldest in class (26 by start)