The 2025 NFL Draft class features a fascinating mix of quarterback prospects, each offering different skill sets and potential fits at the next level. With teams across the league always searching for their franchise signal-caller, this year’s crop presents intriguing options for both immediate starters and long-term projects.
In this breakdown, we analyze the top five quarterback prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft, discussing their strengths, weaknesses, and potential NFL team fits based on their playing style and team needs.
Shedeur Sanders (Colorado)
Strengths:
• Polished Mechanics: Sanders has a textbook throwing motion with a high release point, making him efficient and consistent.
• Accuracy in the Short-to-Mid Range: His passes are on point within 25 yards, allowing for strong timing-based offenses.
• Toughness: He displays great poise under pressure and has taken hits while still delivering passes effectively.
• High Football IQ: Sanders anticipates routes well and processes defensive coverages efficiently.
Weaknesses:
• Limited Deep Ball Power: He struggles with velocity on throws beyond 40 yards, occasionally causing underthrows.
• Average Release Speed: While fundamentally sound, his release isn’t as quick as other top quarterbacks in the draft.
• Mobility Concerns: He is not a major rushing threat and takes more sacks than desired due to limited escape ability.
Best NFL Fit: New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders
The Giants' head coach Brian Daboll has shown the ability to spread the offense out and utilize match ups when the quarterback knows where to go with the football. Shedeur has shown super high football IQ and understanding of the game. He also can operate well under pressure. The Raiders, now led by Pete Carroll, will run a hybrid west coast system that allows for young QBs to play early with confidence. Both cities should welcome this personality.
Cameron Ward (Miami, FL)
Strengths:
• Elite Arm Talent: Ward has an effortless ability to throw from different angles, making tight-window throws across all levels of the field.
• Middle-of-the-Field Accuracy: He excels at working through progressions and delivering accurate passes over the middle.
• Playmaking Ability: Ward thrives in off-script situations, keeping plays alive with his athleticism and improvisation skills.
• Touch Passing: He has a natural feel for lofting passes with perfect touch, particularly on deep balls and fade routes.
Weaknesses:
• Inconsistent Mechanics: Ward tends to hold the ball too low in his stance, leading to a slightly elongated throwing motion.
• Erratic Release: His sidearm motion, while effective at times, lacks consistency and can lead to unnecessary accuracy issues.
• Decision-Making Under Pressure: While he makes plays, he can be too aggressive, leading to turnovers.
• Ball Security: Fumbles have been a problem when trying to extend plays outside the pocket.
Best NFL Fit: Cleveland Browns or Tennessee Titans
The entire football world knows the Tennessee Titans need a quality QB along with other assets but I like the big play potential here in this Brian Callahan offense who wants to control the line of scrimmage and be explosive in the pass game. Cleveland also is intriguing here. We believe Myles Garrett asking for a trade was a prayer answered for a team that feels like it made a mistake with DeShaun Watson. Cam Ward possesses the movement skills needed to avoid the rush and the big arm accuracy needed for the downfield attack from Kevin Stefanski's offense.
Dillon Gabriel (Oregon)
Strengths:
• Quick Release: Gabriel gets the ball out fast, minimizing the time defenders have to react.
• Composure in the Pocket: He remains poised under pressure and efficiently works through his reads.
• Good Footwork: His ability to move within the pocket helps him avoid sacks and stay on schedule.
Weaknesses:
• Arm Strength: His deep throws lack elite velocity, limiting his ability to challenge defenses downfield consistently.
• Lack of Elite Size: At 5’11”, he may struggle with vision over the middle against larger NFL defensive linemen.
• Mobility Ceiling: While he can maneuver in the pocket, he is not a true dual-threat quarterback.
Best NFL Fit: Minnesota Vikings or New Orleans Saints
Gabriel fits best in a West Coast-style offense that prioritizes quick reads and short, timing-based throws. Kevin O'Connell could see Gabriel as someone who can push JJ McCarthy once he gets back on the field from his 2024 injury and Dillon could play if you need him too due to his 64 college games of experience. Dude has seen everything!! I also could see Kellen Moore bringing in Dillon as a young back up behind Derek Carr and could eventually take over the starting job in New Orleans. Both teams are dome teams which make Dillon's pinpoint accuracy a real asset when playing at home.
Alabama's Jalen Milroe Jalen Milroe (Alabama)
Strengths:
• Dual-Threat Ability: Milroe is a dynamic runner who can make defenders miss in open space.
• Quick Throwing Motion: His fast and compact release allows for quick decision-making.
• Deep Ball Accuracy: He throws with excellent touch and placement on downfield routes.
• RPO Experience: He has extensive experience in run-pass option (RPO) systems, making him a fit for modern NFL offenses.
Weaknesses:
• Inconsistent Decision-Making: His ability to read defenses needs refinement, leading to occasional risky throws.
• Ball Security Issues: Milroe has a tendency to hold the ball too long, leading to unnecessary sacks and fumbles.
• Struggles Against Complex Defenses: At times, he locks onto his first read, making it easier for defenders to anticipate throws.
Best NFL Fit: Baltimore Ravens
Given that Milroe is a runner with special passing ability, he would thrive in a system like the Baltimore Ravens, which emphasizes a dual-threat quarterback in a run-heavy scheme. He could develop behind Lamar Jackson and either take over as a successor or be used in a trade to bring more assets to Baltimore.
Ohio State QB Will Howard
Will Howard (Ohio State)
Strengths:
• Ideal Size: At 6’4” and 230 pounds, Howard possesses prototypical quarterback size.
• Arm Strength: He has the velocity to make every NFL throw, from sideline outs to deep bombs.
• Throwing on the Run: He is comfortable making plays outside the pocket and delivering accurate passes on the move.
• Good Footwork: He resets his feet efficiently before delivering throws, improving accuracy.
Weaknesses:
• Decision-Making Under Pressure: He occasionally panics under heavy pressure, forcing throws into tight windows.
• Needs to Improve Consistency: His accuracy fluctuates, particularly on intermediate throws.
• Learning Curve in Pro-Style Offense: Coming from a college system that relied on simplified reads, he will need time to adjust to NFL defenses.
Best NFL Fit: Denver Broncos
The Broncos, looked to have found their franchise QB with Bo Nix from last years draft but the Broncos could see the National Champion, Howard, as a developmental option with the physical tools to thrive in a vertical passing attack. His arm strength fits well in Denver’s high-altitude environment, where deep throws are crucial. Working with Sean Payton will do wonders for Will Howard
Final Thoughts
The 2025 quarterback class offers a diverse and wide range of skill sets, from polished pocket passers to explosive dual-threat playmakers. Teams will weigh immediate readiness versus long-term upside when making their selections.
• Shedeur Sanders is a poised, pro-ready QB who fits in structured offenses.
• Cameron Ward is the high-upside passer who could start immediately.
• Dillon Gabriel is an accurate passer who could thrive in a West Coast scheme.
• Jalen Milroe brings athleticism and playmaking ability, perfect for an RPO-heavy offense.
• Will Howard has NFL size and arm strength, making him a great developmental prospect.
With quarterback-needy teams like the Giants, Saints, Titans, Jets, and Raiders looking for their next franchise leader, this draft class will shape the future of several organizations.
Who do you think will be the first quarterback off the board? Let us know in the comments below!
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