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Teams invest millions of dollars and months of time shaping their ideal roster for the latest NFL season. Moves up and down the offense and defense are all part of a bigger plan for a team looking to contend, ascend or rebuild.
The biggest piece in that calculus is quarterback. It's the most important position in sports and franchises are either trying to find their passer of the future or build around a competent starter in-house.
15 days to NFL draft: Which teams should draft a quarterback? Ranking all 32
2025 NFL mock draft: Latest projection for first round features a few shifting picks
Last year, six teams selected a quarterback of the future in the first round of the NFL draft: Chicago (Caleb Williams), Washington (Jayden Daniels), New England (Drake Maye), Atlanta (Michael Penix Jr.), Minnesota (J.J. McCarthy) and Denver (Bo Nix). Five of the six started at least two games as a rookie and Daniels led his team on a surprise run to the NFC championship game.
This year's class isn't the same. There aren't the high-end prospects at the position that teams will be looking for to build the future around. The top prospect in this year's draft, Miami's Cam Ward, likely would've been QB4 in last year's class.
Draft high, dream big: Former Alabama star quarterback Jalen Milroe is an NFL project
But there are still likely a dozen or more quarterbacks who will be selected over three days in Green Bay, Wis. during the 2025 NFL draft. Here's how we'd tier them.
Ward is the undisputed No. 1 quarterback prospect in the class thanks to his mix of elite traits. He has a strong arm, NFL mobility and the building blocks to be a long-term starter.
Sanders lacks Ward's elite traits but has an NFL-caliber arm with impressive accuracy and timing. He struggled at times in the pocket behind a suspect offensive line in college but when in rhythm he can be at the very least a league-average starter.
Shough is the biggest player in this group physically, with a cannon arm and surprising athleticism. His age will knock him down the board for many teams but he has enough traits to be a competent starter as a rookie. Like Ward, Shough needs to cut down on risky throws but could iron those out quickly in the right situation.
Dart thrived in a quarterback-friendly offense in Oxford that relied heavily on run-pass options (RPO) and play-action schemes. He wasn't asked to do much as a processor, which will take time to develop in the NFL. However, once he gets up to speed, his arm talent, mobility and intangibles should make him a competent starter.
Milroe is a fascinating prospect. It's rare to see the best athlete in a draft class line up at quarterback but he has a legitimate claim to that title. His game-breaking speed and supreme arm talent make him a worthwhile developmental piece for NFL teams. However, he will need to take time to improve his mechanics, accuracy and processing.
Ewers has an NFL arm, poise and football IQ to compete for a starting role in the NFL. He needs time to develop some of the wrinkles out of his game, like his decision-making and reading defenses.
McCord led the country in passing yards in 2024 after transferring to Syracuse. He lacks elite physical talents and is like a diet version of Sanders; he thrives on his anticipation, rhythm and timing. With a clean pocket, he can make plays with good talent around him.
Howard's the most physically imposing quarterback who will be drafted in April. He took a step up at Ohio State after transferring from Kansas State. He can layer his throws well with a strong arm, has NFL-level mobility and can be aggressive if need be. His decision-making can be surprising at times, though, and he can lock onto a read.
Leonard also transferred in 2024 and is a very effective scrambler. His arm strength fits in at the NFL level, but he didn't put it on display with Notre Dame. He needs to improve his vision, progressions and rhythm but his tools provide a good baseline for a long-term backup at the least.
Gabriel is undersized and plays like a point guard who relies on rhythm and talent around him to thrive. He has good mobility but lacks the arm to make throws at every level. He plays a similar game to Tua Tagovailoa but with less overall talent.
Rourke has NFL size and arm talent but is limited as a pocket passer. His accuracy suffers when forced out of the pocket, which he will likely have to deal with in the NFL. He's an older prospect and has ball security (seven fumbles in 2024) and durability concerns.
Cook put on a show at the NFL combine as a dynamic runner with good enough arm talent. His mechanics undermine his accuracy and he can struggle to feel out pressure in the pocket. He'd be a low-risk option to serve as a backup for a team with a mobile quarterback.
Miller's calling cards are processing and decision-making. They're among the best in the class but can't overcome his lack of elite or great traits. Physically, he's limited as a passer but will know what to do as a backup in case a starter goes down.
Henigan was the first true freshman in Memphis history to start a season opener and set program records thanks to his consistency and anticipation. He lacks high-end mobility and arm talent but his timing and rhythm as a passer should earn him a backup role.
Brosmer's release is consistent. He throws with anticipation with a good enough arm. He will likely struggle to throw downfield and out of structure but has the production and intelligence to be a long-term backup in the league.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2025 NFL draft QB tiers: Ranking Cam Ward, Jalen Milroe, others
Continue reading...
The biggest piece in that calculus is quarterback. It's the most important position in sports and franchises are either trying to find their passer of the future or build around a competent starter in-house.
15 days to NFL draft: Which teams should draft a quarterback? Ranking all 32
2025 NFL mock draft: Latest projection for first round features a few shifting picks
Last year, six teams selected a quarterback of the future in the first round of the NFL draft: Chicago (Caleb Williams), Washington (Jayden Daniels), New England (Drake Maye), Atlanta (Michael Penix Jr.), Minnesota (J.J. McCarthy) and Denver (Bo Nix). Five of the six started at least two games as a rookie and Daniels led his team on a surprise run to the NFC championship game.
This year's class isn't the same. There aren't the high-end prospects at the position that teams will be looking for to build the future around. The top prospect in this year's draft, Miami's Cam Ward, likely would've been QB4 in last year's class.
Draft high, dream big: Former Alabama star quarterback Jalen Milroe is an NFL project
But there are still likely a dozen or more quarterbacks who will be selected over three days in Green Bay, Wis. during the 2025 NFL draft. Here's how we'd tier them.
2025 NFL draft: QB Tiers
1. Starting quarterback
- Cam Ward, Miami
- Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
- Tyler Shough, Louisville
Ward is the undisputed No. 1 quarterback prospect in the class thanks to his mix of elite traits. He has a strong arm, NFL mobility and the building blocks to be a long-term starter.
Sanders lacks Ward's elite traits but has an NFL-caliber arm with impressive accuracy and timing. He struggled at times in the pocket behind a suspect offensive line in college but when in rhythm he can be at the very least a league-average starter.
Shough is the biggest player in this group physically, with a cannon arm and surprising athleticism. His age will knock him down the board for many teams but he has enough traits to be a competent starter as a rookie. Like Ward, Shough needs to cut down on risky throws but could iron those out quickly in the right situation.
2. Future starter
- Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss
Dart thrived in a quarterback-friendly offense in Oxford that relied heavily on run-pass options (RPO) and play-action schemes. He wasn't asked to do much as a processor, which will take time to develop in the NFL. However, once he gets up to speed, his arm talent, mobility and intangibles should make him a competent starter.
3. Developmental quarterback
- Jalen Milroe, Alabama
- Quinn Ewers, Texas
Milroe is a fascinating prospect. It's rare to see the best athlete in a draft class line up at quarterback but he has a legitimate claim to that title. His game-breaking speed and supreme arm talent make him a worthwhile developmental piece for NFL teams. However, he will need to take time to improve his mechanics, accuracy and processing.
Ewers has an NFL arm, poise and football IQ to compete for a starting role in the NFL. He needs time to develop some of the wrinkles out of his game, like his decision-making and reading defenses.
4. Good backup/spot starter
- Kyle McCord, Syracuse
- Will Howard, Ohio State
- Riley Leonard, Notre Dame
McCord led the country in passing yards in 2024 after transferring to Syracuse. He lacks elite physical talents and is like a diet version of Sanders; he thrives on his anticipation, rhythm and timing. With a clean pocket, he can make plays with good talent around him.
Howard's the most physically imposing quarterback who will be drafted in April. He took a step up at Ohio State after transferring from Kansas State. He can layer his throws well with a strong arm, has NFL-level mobility and can be aggressive if need be. His decision-making can be surprising at times, though, and he can lock onto a read.
Leonard also transferred in 2024 and is a very effective scrambler. His arm strength fits in at the NFL level, but he didn't put it on display with Notre Dame. He needs to improve his vision, progressions and rhythm but his tools provide a good baseline for a long-term backup at the least.
5. Backup quarterback
- Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
- Kurtis Rourke, Indiana
- Brady Cook, Missouri
- Cam Miller, North Dakota State
- Seth Henigan, Memphis
- Max Brosmer, Minnesota
Gabriel is undersized and plays like a point guard who relies on rhythm and talent around him to thrive. He has good mobility but lacks the arm to make throws at every level. He plays a similar game to Tua Tagovailoa but with less overall talent.
Rourke has NFL size and arm talent but is limited as a pocket passer. His accuracy suffers when forced out of the pocket, which he will likely have to deal with in the NFL. He's an older prospect and has ball security (seven fumbles in 2024) and durability concerns.
Cook put on a show at the NFL combine as a dynamic runner with good enough arm talent. His mechanics undermine his accuracy and he can struggle to feel out pressure in the pocket. He'd be a low-risk option to serve as a backup for a team with a mobile quarterback.
Miller's calling cards are processing and decision-making. They're among the best in the class but can't overcome his lack of elite or great traits. Physically, he's limited as a passer but will know what to do as a backup in case a starter goes down.
Henigan was the first true freshman in Memphis history to start a season opener and set program records thanks to his consistency and anticipation. He lacks high-end mobility and arm talent but his timing and rhythm as a passer should earn him a backup role.
Brosmer's release is consistent. He throws with anticipation with a good enough arm. He will likely struggle to throw downfield and out of structure but has the production and intelligence to be a long-term backup in the league.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2025 NFL draft QB tiers: Ranking Cam Ward, Jalen Milroe, others
Continue reading...
