2025 NFL draft: Cam Ward tops 10 best QB prospects ahead of combine

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The 2024 NFL draft saw six quarterbacks selected in the first round, all within the first 12 picks. Five of those six started at least one game during the regular season and two, Washington's Jayden Daniels and Denver's Bo Nix, made the playoffs. Daniels earned Offensive Rookie of the Year honors after leading the Commanders to the NFC championship game for the first time in 33 years.

This year's draft class is not the same. It's a weaker class with two likely first-round quarterbacks, Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders, who have more question marks than most of the first-rounders last season.

Teams looking for a change at quarterback may have to develop some of the passers on this list as they won't be difference-makers in Year One.

Here are our top 10 quarterback prospects in the 2025 NFL draft heading into the combine this week.

2025 NFL draft: Top 10 quarterback prospects

1. Cam Ward, Miami

Ward is one of the more gifted passers in the class and has the traits teams are more likely to bet on with a high first-round pick.

Strengths: Elite arm talent. Can fire out of many platforms and on the run. Mobility to create outside of structure. Prolific passer at three different schools (Incarnate Word, Washington State, Miami) and showed improvement at each stop. Eludes rushers in the pocket and aggressively pushes the ball against defenses. Layers throws well with a quick release.
Weaknesses: High variance thanks to his gunslinger mentality. Can rely too much on pre-snap reads against defenses. Struggled with completions in the red zone in 2024.
Draft projection: Round 1 (top 10).

2. Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

Sanders has the biggest name of the quarterbacks in this class and will likely be selected in the first round as well.

Strengths: Likely the highest floor of any passer in the class given his standout accuracy, timing and poise. Savvy player who remains calm, confident and composed in the pocket. Will stand tall against pressure to deliver throws when needed and places the ball well to hit targets in stride.
Weaknesses: Average arm strength. Longer release than Ward's motion. Lacks the mobility to be a dual-threat player at the NFL level. Lean frame at 6-foot-2 so there are durability concerns.
Draft projection: Round 1 (top 10).

3. Tyler Shough, Louisville

Shough is rising up boards in the evaluation process and could be a Day 2 option for teams looking for a potential QB1 who can overlook age concerns.

Strengths: Prolific pocket passer with a very strong arm and efficient throwing motion. OK mechanics that lets him adjust velocity and layer throws when needed. Can throw off-platform and has surprising mobility. Accurate and uses his eyes to shift defenders. Great size at 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds.
Weaknesses: Shough was part of the same recruiting class as Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields and will be one of the oldest prospects selected in the 2025 NFL draft. Primarily operated out of the shotgun in college. Could drive the ball better if his footwork improved. Had significant injuries in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
Draft projection: Round 3.

4. Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss

Dart's garnering Round 1 consideration by some analysts after a prolific season with the Rebels.

Strengths: Natural thrower who makes good decisions with solid accuracy and drive on his releases. NFL-level arm and good enough mobility to extend plays. Recognizes pressure and adjusts accordingly to make the right decision. Prolific three-year career at Ole Miss after transferring from USC.
Weaknesses: Needs to improve anticipation when throwing, especially against zone coverage, as well as post-snap reads. Mechanics can be inconsistent. Played in a very quarterback-friendly offense at Ole Miss that provided isolated reads.
Draft projection: Late Round 2/early Round 3.

5. Jalen Milroe, Alabama

Milroe is a fascinating prospect as one of the best athletes, regardless of position, in the 2025 NFL draft. That upside could get teams to invest in developing him over time.

Strengths: Impressive athlete with a sturdy frame. Talented thrower who excels on deep passing concepts (more in 2023 than 2024, though). Stands tall against pressure and can speed up release when needed.
Weaknesses: Can sail the ball accuracy-wise, which may be because of his smaller hands (less than nine inches, measured at the Senior Bowl). Struggles to get a consistent rhythm in the pocket or make layered throws. Is a gifted runner but needs to improve his decision-making.
Draft projection: Round 3.

6. Will Howard, Ohio State

Howard and the Buckeyes won a championship in the 2024 college football season and he did enough to get a boost in his draft stock.

Strengths: NFL frame at 6-foot-4 and 235 pounds. Has toughness in the pocket. Mobile at that size to extend plays. Frame allows for good drive on the ball with solid mechanics and great accuracy. Consistent thrower who can work off-platform if need be.
Weaknesses: No truly elite traits. Can lock onto initial reads. Older prospect (will turn 24 in September). Footwork can be inconsistent. Can take risks that worked out in college but likely won't in the NFL.
Draft projection: Round 4.

7. Quinn Ewers, Texas

Ewers was viewed as one of the top prospects at the position entering the 2024 college season but he's since faded to a likely later-round candidate ahead of the combine.

Strengths: Natural thrower who can release the ball at different angles and slots. Competitive player with a quick release. Throws consistently when rolling out. Good pocket mobility and arm talent.
Weaknesses: Often sticks on first read even after post-snap look changes. Needs to improve pressure mitigation. Durability concerns with a lean frame (6-foot-3, 206 pounds).
Draft projection: Round 4.

8. Kyle McCord, Syracuse

McCord transferred to Syracuse for his final year of college football from Ohio State and put on a show, leading the country in completions, attempts and passing yards.

Strengths: At his best in the pocket, where he can deliver the ball quickly on timing concepts. Can work through full-field progressions and gives routes time to develop. Shows good poise when blitzed and knows how to buy time. Solid arm strength.
Weaknesses: Arm strength can be lacking on deeper passing concepts. Not a good enough athlete to extend plays or scramble for extra yards. Needs to improve ball placement. Can throw against covered targets and that can show up in a bad way (ACC-high 12 interceptions in 2024).
Draft projection: Late Round 4/early Round 5.

9. Riley Leonard, Notre Dame

Leonard transferred for 2024 and Notre Dame made it to the national championship game. He'll likely hear his name called on Day 3 of this year's draft following that effort.

Strengths: Competitive, mobile quarterback who isn't careless with the ball. Uses good touch against zone coverage and possesses good pocket feel to know when best to elude pressure. Short-yardage threat in the run game.
Weaknesses: Lacks elite traits, including arm talent, and his lower body mechanics can hinder his accuracy. Tries throwing out of sacks and that can make the situation worse. Inconsistent accuracy and not an off-platform thrower.
Draft projection: Round 5.

10. Dillon Gabriel, Oregon

Gabriel was a Heisman finalist after a strong finish to his college career with the Ducks and will also likely be a Day 3 pick in this year's draft.

Strengths: Mobile quarterback who can operate from the pocket or on the move. Doesn't make many costly mistakes. Good touch and ball placement against zone. Utilizes great timing and rhythm to execute offenses. Experience running three different offenses in college.
Weaknesses: Undersized at 5-foot-11 and 200 pounds. No elite traits physically. Arm strength is a question mark. Will turn 25 years old as a rookie with a defined ceiling. Didn't throw deep much in an offense that schemed open throws.
Draft projection: Late Round 5/early Round 6.

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