The NFL is a quarterback driven league. If you have one, you’re putting pieces in place around him to succeed. If you don’t have one, then you’re doing your best to get one, whether through the draft or free agency.
Today’s article looks at the top 10 Quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft, and where I think they’ll be selected, as well as a comparison for each. Without further ado, let’s start the rankings with my QB1:
1 – Cam Ward, Miami
Projected draft spot: Top 5
My comparison for Cam Ward: Daunte Culpepper, Minnesota Vikings QB
Cam currently possesses the best arm talent (strength, angle, release) of any QB in this class. In addition, he has the athleticism to make plays when the pocket breaks down, and can get the most out of his team around him.
He won’t have to wait long to hear his name on draft day, and I expect him to be the first QB drafted in the 2025 NFL Draft.
2 – Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
Projected draft spot: Top 5
My comparison for Shedeur Sanders: Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks QB
Any other year, Shedeur would be QB1. He has exceptional arm talent, as well as an advanced football IQ to diagnose pre and post snap looks from opposing defenses.
The son of Deion should hear his name called early on Draft Night as well, and could even go before Ward, depending on the team making the selection.
3 – Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
Projected draft spot: Late First Round
My comparison for Garrett Nussmeier: Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB
Garrett is a QB that’s highly touted among some folks in the draft community, and others think he should return to school. I did a prior report on him here, but he is a gunslinger who will hear his name called within the first 32 picks, should he ultimately declare.
4 – Jalen Milroe, Alabama
Projected draft spot: Early Second Round
My comparison for Jalen Milroe: Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers QB
The big wild card of this class. When Jalen is on, he is hands down the best quarterback in this class, mixing his athleticism with his strong arm to make defenses hate to cover him.
But when he’s off, he’s darn near unplayable at QB. I expect his name to be called early on day 2, with a team looking to develop his skill set to maximize his talents.
5 – Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss
Projected Draft Spot: Early Second Round
My comparison for Jaxson Dart: Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals/Carolina Panthers QB
Jaxson is a technically sound passer with excellent accuracy. He also is the best QB in this class when running RPOs for Lane Kiffin’s offense.
However, his less than adequate arm strength and his tendency to bail out of pockets with no pressure will need some coaching and mentoring before he’s ready to see the field in the NFL.
6 – Carson Beck, Georgia
Projected Draft Spot: Mid Second Round
My comparison for Carson Beck: Jake Locker, Tennessee Titans QB
A major drop off from where he was projected at the start of the season, Carson has not lived up to the expectations. He is often pressing/trying too hard, rather than taking what the defense gives him.
His poise in the pocket is excellent, but you’d also love to see his ball placement improve and give his receivers a better chance for yards after the catch. He has a lot of work to do to get back in round 1 contention, but some of his tape is a rough go this year.
7 – Drew Allar, Penn State
Projected Draft Spot: Mid Second Round
My comparison for Drew Allar: Blake Bortles, Jacksonville Jaguars QB
The team that selects Drew is likely doing so to gamble on his physical traits, as he is far from a finished product at QB. A prototype frame at 6 ft 5, 243 lbs., with a rocket arm, Drew is what you’d imagine an NFL QB to be.
The issue is that his ball placement is all over the place, his footwork in and out of the pocket can get sloppy in a hurry, and he is slow to read and process defenses. Drew likely should return to school for another season to further develop and correct these flaws; but if he comes out, expect him to take a redshirt year in the NFL.
8 – Kurtis Rourke, Indiana
Projected Draft Spot: Mid to Late Second Round
My comparison for Kurtis Rourke: Christian Ponder, Minnesota Vikings QB
Kurtis has been rising up draft boards as he commands the Hoosiers offense during this season. His biggest strength is his ability to read and process defenses quickly, and put the ball in only a place where his guy can make a play on it. He is also very versatile and can adapt to multiple offensive schemes across the NFL.
However, his limited athleticism, less than adequate arm strength, and the fact he is an older prospect (24) may give teams pause on adding the IU signal caller. I would be shocked if Rourke is still on the board at the beginning of round 3, but I would understand the apprehension, as his ceiling is somewhat limited in the NFL.
9 – Conner Weigman, Texas A&M
Projected Draft Spot: Mid to Late Second Round
Conner is the biggest boom vs bust prospect at quarterback in this class. When everything is working well for Conner, he looks like a bonafide first round talent. But when his mechanics break down, he looks like he shouldn’t be starting in the Canadian football league.
I did an in-depth report on Conner: you can check that out here!
My comparison for Conner Weigman: Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles/Indianapolis Colts QB
10 – KJ Jefferson, UCF
Projected Draft Spot: Mid to Late Third Round
KJ has elite level traits at quarterback as well as an impressive resume thus far. The biggest issues for KJ is that while he has these elite traits, the skill set to use them all effectively still needs to be developed.
I did a deeper dive on KJ Jefferson in one of my previous reports, you can check that out here!
My comparison for KJ Jefferson: EJ Manuel, Buffalo Bills QB
From 2014 through 2023, an average of 11 quarterbacks have been drafted in the NFL Draft. Last year saw 14 signal callers get their names called. While this list isn’t all encompassing, these are 10 guys who will likely hear their names called by an NFL team, so you may want to get to know them better, so you can impress your friends when that star rookie signal caller takes the field with all the football knowledge.
Like this list? Think I’m way off the mark? Feel free to give me a follow or send me some feedback at @sparkscouting on “X”!
