The 2025 NFL Draft is just under a month away and there’s a lot of chatter about quarterbacks Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders. Both the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns need a man under center for the future and they both pick number one and two overall. While that’s the case, there are also two franchise-altering players at wide receiver/cornerback and edge with Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter. That has left everyone intrigued about what will happen come draft day.
The quarterback class is viewed as one of the weakest in recent memory but both Ward and Sanders stand out head and shoulders above every other at the position, making them feel like as close to a surewinmy under center in this class. While that’s the case, there are a couple of quarterbacks that have been talked about beyond the top two that could be interesting options for teams in the first round and beyond. As we head closer to the 2025 NFL Draft, let’s take a look at who those quarterbacks might be.
A Look at the Quarterbacks Beyond the Top Two
Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss)
Jaxson Dart seems like the most-talked-about quarterback after both Ward and Sanders that could go in the first round. While he has his faults, there’s potential upside that makes him an underrated talent heading into the 2025 NFL Draft. At Ole Miss, Dart showed flashes of his athleticism and has the aggressiveness that teams are looking for in a quarterback. He also has above-average arm strength which is coveted in today’s game.
With that being said, his aggressiveness can lead to mistakes, especially when under pressure. His decision-making can be questionable at times and takes high risks that turn into high rewards for the opponent. Although he has arm strength, his accuracy and ball placement could improve, and that goes for the long ball as well.
What might stand out about Dart above the rest is his toughness and grit. He will take big hits to make a play whether that’s in the pocket or on the run. Making defenders miss inside and out of the pocket also attests to his play-making ability. The things Dart can do well are liked by so many but the things he can’t do will take some time to be adjusted but it can be done. The Ole Miss product is not a finished one, but that’s what makes him one of the most interesting prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Jalen Milroe (Alabama)
During his two seasons at Alabama, Jalen Milroe has shown at times to be a great quarterback prospect but at other times, he showed that he will need significant progress to become an NFL starter. Milroe has all the tools to be a great duel-threat quarterback at the next level, showing development as a passer accompanied by his great athleticism that allows him to be a dangerous runner. His quickness and vision allowed him to rush for 20 touchdowns and 726 yards in 2024 with the Crimson Tide.
While he has the physical tools as a quarterback, he hasn’t put it all together yet to make a mark in the NFL right away. Overall, Milroe is still inconsistent as a passer. His accuracy needs much improvement and his timing is late when throwing to his receiver. Both of those factors have led to a high interception rate, throwing 17 interceptions in his two seasons at Alabama.
Milroe is gifted but his inconsistencies tend to bring his value down. If he sits and learns when drafted and can improve in those areas, Milroe has the ability to be a capable starting quarterback in the NFL.
Quinn Ewers (Texas)
There were talks about Quinn Ewers transferring and going back to college but ultimately decided to enter the 2025 NFL Draft. Ewers has shown to be inconsistent but is gifted as a thrower of the football. He can spin the ball well and throw it from any platform and arm angle he needs to. His arm isn’t elite but will be the reason he’s drafted.
That might be the case but to perform as a starter at the next level, he has to clean up a lot of mishaps. A lot of his inconsistencies come from accuracy. He’s hit-or-miss and when he misses, they’re bad misses. Ewers’ inability to read certain coverage also gets him in trouble. His footwork also needs improvement and with that, along with getting better in those other areas as well, will come better pocket presence.
Some say he should’ve stayed in college and gained another year of learning experience but when he gets drafted and ultimately sits, he can learn at the pro level from other quarterbacks and hopefully unlock the rest of his abilities to succeed in the league.
Will Howard (Ohio State)
After transferring to Ohio State this past college football season, Will Howard helped the Buckeyes to a national championship. He also helped himself when it came to his draft stock, especially as the season went on. Howard has great size for an NFL quarterback. When it mattered most, he showed his ability to throw strikes to his receivers. He hit them in stride and threw them open as well. His ability to extend plays was impressive, especially if he had to scamper for a first down when needed.
Howard showed what he looked like at his best in college, but to be a starter at the next level like he can be, he needs to stay at that level of play. Throughout his career, Howard was known as a streaky passer and that’s what has held him back. He also needs to work on getting through his progressions and can be predictable at times, which can get him in big trouble. Howard will not be surrounded by the talent he was at Ohio State but if in the right situation, he will be an interesting quarterback to watch.
Dillon Gabriel (Oregon)
There’s a lot to like about Dillon Gabriel. He has great touch, and anticipation, and is a high-IQ decision-maker. He has a quick release and has good pocket presence and composure. His poise and conduction under center is what teams value. If he has to, he can do just enough to evade rushers to throw on the run.
What might be holding Gabriel back from being a higher draft pick is his physical traits. He doesn’t have the prototypical size of a quarterback, standing at 5-foot-11, ~205 pounds. Aside from that, he still has some faults that he needs to clean up. While Gabriel is accurate and has good timing on shorter throws, it gets a little shaky on intermediate and long passes. His arm strength is average but that’s it. He can struggle to lead receivers on deep throws due to lack of arm strength and his placement on the long ball is iffy.
With that being said, the way he plays and processes the game makes up for his lack of size. Gabriel has room to grow as any other quarterback does but he has consistent production throughout his college career and has the experience that can carry over nicely into the NFL.
Tyler Shough (Louisville)
Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough has slowly been garnering attention as the 2025 NFL Draft nears. Around the league, after Ward, people believe that Shough “will have the most success early in his career” and that’s including Sanders. A few teams might have an eye on him potentially in the first or early second. A couple of teams have even had a top-30 visit with him.
Shough is a fast-rising draft prospect because of his talent as a passer. He is capable of making big-time throws, downfield and into tight windows, but needs to stay consistent with it. His vision of the field and timing on his progressions is what makes him drive his throws and push the ball down field. Shough’s release of the football is impressive, which also is accompanied by a flick of the wrist. He has an ideal frame at the quarterback position and has great footwork and athleticism.
A big downside is his age and injury history. Shough is one of the oldest prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft as he will be 26 in September. He’s also missed a decent amount of time with injuries in three straight seasons with two broken collarbones and a broken fibula between 2021-2023. Shough also has had only one year of real productivity because of that. Both are big reasons why teams could be weary but there’s a reason he’s climbing up the draft board.
Honorable Mentions: Kyle McCord (Syracuse), Riley Leonard (Notre Dame), Kurtis Rourke (Indiana), Brady Cook (Missouri), Cam Rising (Utah)
Main Image: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
