The 2025 NFL Draft does not have the same type of polish at the quarterback position that it did last year. However, that does not mean that this year’s QB class is substandard.
It may take a full year or more for some of the quarterbacks to get to a point where they can lead an NFL-caliber offense.
Here’s a look at five quarterbacks who should be able to develop into quality signal callers in the foreseeable future.
Cam Ward, Miami, 6-2, 219
The Miami quarterback is elusive in the pocket and has an excellent feel for pressure. That allows him to buy time and find his open receiver.
While he has plenty of highlights on his tape, there are also mistakes that can be tied to a carefree style. That will have to change shortly after he gets to the next level.
Ward is an instinctive passer who can throw with velocity and demonstrates an excellent rhythm in the pocket.
Ward does not come over the top when he throws, and his nearly sidearm motion is an issue. While he can throw the ball from multiple angles, consistency sometimes eludes him. This is most apparent on his deep throws.
Ward will almost certainly be drafted in the top spot, but there are issues in his game that may take time to correct.
Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, 6-3, 212
Sanders is not even close to the athlete that his father was, but he is quite accomplished at the quarterback position.
While he is an accurate passer, the biggest issue may be how long he takes to get rid of the ball when sitting in the pocket. He got away with that habit at Jackson State and Colorado, but that will have to change in the NFL.
He is a poised passer and he plays with significant confidence. That is apparent when scouts observe his delivery because his takeaway is clean and his follow through is strong and powerful.
He completed 74 percent of his passes last season and much of that is due to his throwing motion. He regularly leads his receivers extremely well and that leads to multiple big plays.
On the negative side, Sanders is not an impressive physical specimen despite his background. He has average size for the position and he is a good but not great athlete. When he takes off from the pocket, he does not have striking speed.
Jaxson Dart, Mississippi, 6-2, 221
Dart played in a very quarterback-friendly scheme at Ole Miss, and that means he did not have to make a lot of complicated decisions.
While he can make all the throws needed, will he make the correct choices when he reads opposing defenses? That part is not known at this point, so it is clearly a gamble for the team that drafts Dart.
He is an excellent downfield passer as he led FBS with a mark of 10.8 yards per attempt. He also had 74 completions of 10 yards or more. He is extremely mobile and QB runs and option plays can play a key role for the team that selects him.
Dillon Gabriel, Oregon, 5-11, 205
While his lack of height will be a red flag for multiple teams, he is the most experienced quarterback in this year’s draft. Gabriel played three seasons at UCF, two more at Oklahoma and he starred at Oregon last year.
There’s nothing that he hasn’t seen before and he makes excellent decisions with the ball. He holds the FBS record with 189 total touchdowns and he is second all-time with 18,722 passing yards.
He can elude pressure and buy time with his quick feet. He plays the game with a sense of calm and he will not panic when asked to find his secondary receivers. Gabriel also has outstanding touch on his deep throws.
Jalen Milroe, Alabama, 6-2, 216
Milroe is an explosive athlete who has demonstrated the ability to string big plays together and light up the scoreboard.
While he is somewhat inconsistent as a passer, he is a dynamic athlete with speed, arm strength and intelligence.
He has the strength to shake off tacklers, get away from the pass rush and make plays with his arms or feet.
The biggest issue going forward is his inconsistency at the point of release.
He may be at least a full year away from competing successfully in the NFL, so he will need to go to a team that does not need to employ him as a first-year starter.