Owain Jones: Top 10 QB Prospects In The NFL Draft - Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders & More
By Owain Jones
The 2025 NFL Draft quarterback class lacks the immediate blue-chip prospects we witnessed a year ago. However, the list of eligible players is deep with potential emerging talent.
The top 10 quarterback prospects offer a mixed bag. While there are plenty of intriguing prospects, it lacks a clear-cut, franchise-changing talent at the top. While there are several quarterbacks who possess solid skills and intriguing potential, many are still works in progress, with the upside to become competent backups at the NFL level.
TOP 10 QB 2025 NFL Draft Rankings
10: Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
Dillon Gabriel is a polished and accurate quarterback with a quick release and an innate ability to read defenses. Following a successful tenure at Oregon, the firmer Oklahoma QB further demonstrated his exceptional talent in deciphering defenses and executing precise throws.
Gabriel’s extensive experience and unwavering performance in a fast-paced offense have enabled him to excel at the collegiate level. Nevertheless, his stature continues to pose a notable challenge to his prospects in the NFL. At 5’10” and 202 pounds, he would be a significant outlier at the next level.
9: Quinn Ewers, Texas
To be fair to Quinn Ewers, he's the only QB in this class I've seen just hit the top of his drop and rip a hole shot against Cover 2 to the field. pic.twitter.com/ou3DNCDgtA
— Marcus Whitman (@TFG_Football) February 13, 2025
Quinn Ewers had to decide ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft: declare or return to school with Longhorns prodigy Arch Manning looking over his shoulder. Ewers ultimately returned to Texas to hunt for a national championship. While the Longhorns are still in the mix, Ewers’ bad habits have continued, and his injury history is only becoming more extensive.
As a passer, Ewers flashes accuracy. He throws with anticipation and has the arm talent to throw from different trajectories and angles. The Texas QB is an average athlete who operates from the pocket with the ability to play with tempo and poise. Nevertheless, despite the presentable upside, Ewers’ draft stock still appears to be dining out on his former elite five-star high school recruiting profile.
There is still far too much that Ewers needs to fix to project as a future NFL QB. The former five-star recruit still tends to put too much air under the ball, stemming from a lack of consistent footwork coordination and a tendency to force the throw when pressured and not set, leading to balls fading. Ewers struggles to get off reads when receivers are wide open, and he continues to miss games sporadically due to injury, which will concern NFL teams.
8: Kyle McCord, Syracuse
Kyle McCord is an intriguing talent with plenty of promise, known for his quick release and smooth mechanics. At Ohio State, he showed flashes, particularly in his ability to drive the ball downfield with power.
Transferring to Syracuse, McCord upped his game in 2024 but still needs to refine his consistency, especially under pressure. But, he’s a confident quarterback who can excel in both the short and deep passing game. If he continues to fine-tune his accuracy, touch, and decision-making, McCord could be drafted as an early Day 3 prospect who teams can develop into a talented backup.
7: Will Howard, Ohio State
Ohio State’s Will Howard has some flashy ball placement on deep shots outside the numbers.
— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) February 19, 2025
One of two QBs with 20+ big-time throws and an adjusted completion percentage above 79% last season. pic.twitter.com/e4Et4DEORW
Will Howard is a commanding quarterback with an impressive blend of size and athleticism. Standing tall in the pocket, he combines a strong arm with poise and confidence, allowing him to make all the necessary throws. The Ohio State QB has shown significant growth over his career, ending it as a national champion, and his ability to stay composed under pressure and avoid mistakes is practical for a high-level backup at the next level.
While the former Kansas State Wildcats passer still has areas to improve, particularly with consistency in his touch on short throws, his natural tools and leadership make him a compelling NFL prospect with high-end backup potential.
6: Kurtis Rourke, Indiana
Kurtis Rourke is a steady, reliable presence under center who has impressed with his balance of accuracy and mobility. While he might not possess the raw arm strength of some others on this list, the Hoosiers’ QB has the ability to read defenses and make smart, calculated throws.
At Indiana, he’s become known for his ability to keep plays alive with his legs while maintaining a strong command of the offense. While he doesn’t have the elite trait that NFL teams can pin their hats on, Rouke has the upside of a backup at the next level and the attitude that teams will fall in love with.
5: Tyler Shough, Louisville
The buzz is starting to work its way around on Louisville QB Tyler Shough, a player that really flashed on tape pre-Senior Bowl leading to a 3rd round eval in January for me.
— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) February 17, 2025
These are two throws that are considered elite at any level of the sport. Full eval:… pic.twitter.com/I6hymPuQ2A
Tyler Shough is a physically imposing quarterback with an impressive arm and the ability to make all the necessary throws. The 6’5”, 224-pound thrower looked the best of any QB in Mobile for the 2025 Senior Bowl, where he showcased how his size and arm strength allow him to push the ball downfield with precision and provide a solid command of the offense.
However, Shough’s reliance on his natural athleticism and physical traits can sometimes overshadow his decision-making, leading to inconsistency in his play.
4: Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss
Jaxson Dart is a dynamic quarterback renowned for his dual-threat capability and explosive playmaking. As an RPO specialist, the Ole Miss QB excels in extending plays with his legs, consistently keeping defenses off balance, and creating opportunities on the move. His arm strength is notable, capable of delivering deep throws with both velocity, accuracy, and precision.
However, while his athleticism is a tremendous asset, Dart’s reliance on his physical traits rather than refined mechanics could pose a challenge at the next level. Additionally, Lane Kiffin’s offensive system is not inherently conducive to NFL schemes. As such, the Rebels’ passer could struggle with the transition to a more traditional, pro-style offense.
3: Jalen Milroe, Alabama
There are some THROWS on Jalen Milroe’s tape that have me thinking a team is going to bet on him top 50 (on top of his elite ability as a runner).
— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) February 19, 2025
One of four QBs with 18+ big-time throws and 12+ runs of 15+ yards last season. pic.twitter.com/Ko3zE6wKNw
Jalen Milroe is a powerhouse quarterback who combines blazing speed with an athletic frame, making him one of the most physically gifted players in the nation. The Alabama QB is one of the most elusive running threat QBs to enter the NFL in recent years ,and he has also flashed tremendous potential with his ability to break off long runs and make explosive plays. However, his development as a passer remains a work in progress.
To reach his full potential, Milroe must focus on refining his passing mechanics and enhancing his field awareness. He tends to struggle with touch and consistency on intermediate and deep throws. If Milroe can refine his passing mechanics and improve his field awareness, his physical tools could push him toward being one of the top quarterbacks in the upcoming NFL Draft.
2: Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
No QB goes into the 2025 NFL Draft cycle with more fanfare or noise than Shedeur Sanders. Being coached by his father, Deion, at Colorado, the eyes of the football world are locked on to the Boulder program.
As a prospect, Sanders has many traits and skills that make him one of the top eligible prospects. The 6’2”, 215-pound Colorado QB has pinpoint accuracy, underutilized above-average athleticism, and the arm strength to make most throws.
The pre-snap intelligence read processing, ball placement, and pocket navigation showcase Sanders’ ability to be a field general and a game manager. The senior passer also gets the ball out quickly and shown his down-to-down adaptability behind one of the worst offensive lines in college football.
Sanders has been under pressure in the pocket more than any other QB over the last two seasons. He now possesses a natural feel for rushers while stepping up in the pocket, keeping his eyes down the field, maintaining vision, and throwing fastballs. That natural understanding of pressure translates to the NFL, where he will undoubtedly face increased pressure if he starts as a rookie
1: Cam Ward, Miami
Some of Cam Ward‘s best throws from 2024, for your viewing pleasure: pic.twitter.com/zeKqVAtdUD
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) February 4, 2025
Cam Ward is the hot name among scouts right now, but the Miami transfer has always shown an NFL skillset. At Washington State, Ward showcased his creative athleticism and arm talent. He could make all the throws, but some of his decision-making was rash, and he needed to limit turnover-worthy plays.
However, after flirting with the 2024 NFL Draft, the strong-armed QB opted to return to school, transferring to the U. With the Hurricanes, Ward has taken better care of the ball, limiting turnovers while leading the conference in touchdown passes. However, the Miami QB still makes some panicked throws into coverage that he will not get away with, which will not be tolerated at the next level.
If Ward continues this trajectory, he will be on pace to solidify QB1 before the season ends.
OWAIN JONES
NFL & NFL DRAFT ANALYST
OWAIN COVERS EVERYTHING NFL & NFL DRAFT. COMING WITH PLENTY OF EXPERIENCE, OWAIN IS ALSO A WRITER FOR PRO FOOTBALL NETWORK AND PREVIOUSLY WAS THE NFL DRAFT EDITOR AT NINETY-NINE YARDS WHERE HE CREATED DRAFT TALK, A NFL DRAFT PODCAST FOR NINETY-NINE YARDS. YOU CAN FOLLOW HIM ON TWITTER @OWAIN_JONES_