Draft season is basically a giant game of "who do you trust?" and honestly, with the 2025 NFL quarterback prospects, nobody seems to have a straight answer. You’ve got guys with stats that make your head spin and others with "traits" that look great in a gym but maybe not so much when a 300-pound defensive tackle is breathing down their neck.
It’s a strange year.
We aren't looking at a Caleb Williams or a Trevor Lawrence type of "sure thing" (if those even exist). Instead, the 2025 class is a mix of high-floor technicians and high-ceiling projects that could either save a franchise or get a GM fired by 2027. If you're looking for the next superstar, you have to look past the jersey numbers.
Cam Ward and the Rise of the Hurricanes
Let's talk about the guy who actually went No. 1 overall: Cam Ward. It’s sort of wild to think about his journey from Incarnate Word to Washington State and finally to Miami. The Tennessee Titans didn't just pick him because he threw for 4,313 yards and an FBS-leading 39 touchdowns in 2024. They picked him because he’s a creator.
Ward has this "rugged" playmaking style. He’s not always pretty. Sometimes he holds the ball too long—okay, he holds it way too long—trying to make something happen. It's that "hero ball" mentality that scouts both love and hate. But you can't teach his ability to flick the ball from weird arm angles while drifting away from pressure. He broke the NCAA record with 158 career passing touchdowns. That isn't a fluke.
The Titans are betting that head coach Brian Callahan can take that raw, electric talent and turn it into something sustainable. Will he be the next Joe Burrow for Callahan? Maybe. But he has to fix those footwork issues first.
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The Shedeur Sanders Debate
You can't discuss 2025 NFL quarterback prospects without mentioning Shedeur Sanders. People love to talk about the hype and the "Prime" effect, but if you actually watch the tape, Sanders is arguably the most accurate pure passer in the group.
He’s surgical.
At Colorado, he was constantly under fire behind a line that was... let's be kind and say "struggling." Despite that, his short and medium accuracy sat around 84% on platform. That is elite. He’s got this cool, calm demeanor in the pocket that reminds people of a young Geno Smith or even Tua Tagovailoa.
Why Some Scouts are Worried
- Arm Strength: He isn't a gunslinger. His deep balls tend to float, and he rarely pushes it past 45 air yards.
- System Fit: He’s played in his father’s system for seven years across high school and college. Can he adapt to an NFL playbook?
- Pressure Sensitivity: Sometimes he leaves the pocket before he actually needs to, which leads to unnecessary sacks.
He’s a "spot thrower." If he goes to a team with a strong offensive line and a rhythm-based West Coast offense, he’ll probably be a Pro Bowler. If he’s asked to be Josh Allen and carry a broken team? That might be a different story.
The Tools vs. The Tape: Jalen Milroe
Jalen Milroe is a physical freak. There is no other way to put it. He’s 6'2", 225 pounds, and runs a 4.40. In 2024, he set Alabama’s record for rushing TDs by a quarterback with 20.
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But as a passer? It’s a rollercoaster.
The Seattle Seahawks took him at pick No. 92, and honestly, that feels like the perfect spot. He doesn't have to be the savior on Day 1. Milroe has a massive arm—maybe the strongest in the class—but his "stable" passing metrics are a bit scary. He ranks below the 50th percentile in almost every consistency category. He struggles to read defenses post-snap and tends to lock onto his first read.
However, you can't teach 4.4 speed and a cannon arm. Under a guy like Mike Macdonald and Klint Kubiak, Milroe is the ultimate "low risk, high reward" developmental project.
The Best of the Rest
The depth of this class is actually where the value sits.
Jaxson Dart out of Ole Miss is a guy who just produces. He led the FBS in yards per attempt (10.8) and has the "toughness" trait that coaches lose their minds over. He’s a Day 1 or early Day 2 talent who could easily start for a team like the Raiders or Giants.
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Then you have Garrett Nussmeier from LSU. He’s the "pro-ready" guy. He’s not the biggest or the fastest, but he understands the game. He threw for over 4,000 yards in 2024 and while he has some "gunslinger" tendencies (12 interceptions), he’s comfortable within the structure of a pro-style offense. He’s the guy you draft if you want to win 9 games and not worry about your QB making a "what was he thinking?" play every three drives.
Surprising Falls and Injury Questions
- Quinn Ewers (Texas): Once the #1 recruit in the country, injuries and consistency issues moved him more toward the Day 2/Day 3 conversation. He has the "flick of the wrist" talent, but the velocity just isn't always there.
- Drew Allar (Penn State): A massive 6'5" frame and a huge arm, but a season-ending injury in October 2025 tanked his stock. Some analysts even suggested he might go undrafted because he struggled to hit open targets consistently.
- Kyle McCord (Syracuse): A total redemption story. He led the FBS with 4,779 passing yards after leaving Ohio State. He’s a high-floor backup or a bridge starter at the next level.
Real Advice for the 2025 Draft Cycle
If you're trying to figure out which of these 2025 NFL quarterback prospects will actually stick, look at the offensive line they land behind.
Cam Ward needs a team that will let him scramble and "be Cam." Shedeur Sanders needs a team that will protect him so he can pick defenses apart. Milroe needs a team that won't force him to be a pocket passer in year one.
Next Steps for Evaluation:
- Check the Pro Day splits: Look for "velocity" numbers on cross-field routes for Sanders and Ewers.
- Analyze the Sack Rate: If a QB like Ward or Sanders continues to take high sack numbers in the preseason, it’s a sign their internal clock hasn't sped up yet.
- Watch the "Package" Plays: For guys like Milroe, see how many designed runs the team is using. If they aren't using his legs, they aren't using his best asset.
The 2025 class might not have the "generational" label, but it has plenty of players who can win games if a coach is smart enough to build around what they actually do well, rather than what they don't.