2025 Fantasy Football: Top Quarterback Prospects
The 2025 NFL Draft, set for April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, showcases a diverse quarterback class. This analysis condenses the profiles of 10 prospects, focusing on their college careers, strengths, weaknesses, and projected draft positions, tailored for fans and analysts.
Top Prospects
Cam Ward (Washington State / Miami)
Career Stats: 38 games, 66.0% completion (1,436 attempts), 11,281 yards, 87 TDs, and 23 INTs. In 2024, threw 4,313 yards, 39 TDs, and 7 INTs (9.5 YPA). Rushed 60 times for 204 yards and 4 TDs in 2024; 227 carries at WSU (0.9 YPC). Sacked 22 times at Miami vs. 84 at WSU.
Early Career: At Incarnate Word, 19 starts, 10-3 in 2021, 4,648 yards, 47 TDs, 10 INTs.
Strengths: NFL-ready arm, quick release, pre-snap reads, takes deep shots in one-on-one coverage. Extends pocket with feet or tackle-breaking.
Weaknesses: Accuracy dips on the run to the left, needs to adjust to weaker NFL O-lines, smaller passing windows, and complex coverages. Must improve red-zone passing.
Draft Projection: 1st overall (Titans). McNair-like setup, likely to start Week 1. Better fit with Browns/Giants due to superior receivers.
Shedeur Sanders (Jackson State / Colorado)
Career Stats: At Jackson State, 23-3 record, 6,963 yards, 70 TDs, and 14 INTs, with 188 rushes for 156 yards, 9 TDs. At Colorado, 4-7 in 2023 (3,230 yards, 27 TDs, and 3 INTs), 9-4 in 2024 (74.0% completion, 4,134 yards, 37 TDs, and 10 INTs). Sacked 94 times, rushed 211 times for -127 yards (sack losses included).
Key Note: Relied on Heisman winner Travis Hunter (32.2% completions, 40.5% TDs).
Strengths: Pocket passer with mobility, extends plays, minimizes INTs early. High completion rate.
Weaknesses: Arm strength below elite, lag in release under pressure, struggles with tight NFL coverage. Needs to take shorter gains.
Draft Projection: 2nd overall (Browns). Replaces Watson with a solid starting point for rookie success.
Mid-Round Prospects
Jaxson Dart (USC / Mississippi)
Career Stats: 4 seasons, 11,970 yards, 81 TDs, 27 INTs, and 69.3% completion in 2024 (4,279 yards, 10.8 YPA, 180.7 QBR). 21-5 record last two years, sacked 74 times, rushed 393 times for 1,541 yards, 14 TDs.
Strengths: Dual-threat, attacks all field levels, agile runner with red-zone value. Timely passing, reads deep safeties.
Weaknesses: Needs better sideline passing, handling pressure, and deep safety manipulation.
Draft Projection: Day 2 (Giants/Steelers). Needs development time.
Quinn Ewers (Ohio State / Texas)
Career Stats: 36 starts, 27-9 record, 9,128 yards, 68 TDs, and 24 INTs. In 2023, 69.0% completion, 3,479 yards, 6 INTs; 2024 highs: 293 completions, 31 TDs, and 12 INTs. Sacked 69 times, rushed 140 times for -59 yards, 8 TDs.
Strengths: Rhythm passer, good touch, uses backs/tight ends, slides in pocket.
Weaknesses: Must read NFL defenses faster, handle blitzes, and improve red-zone TD efficiency.
Draft Projection: Mid-to-late rounds. Pocket passer needing refinement.
Jalen Milroe (Alabama)
Career Stats: 26 starts, 20-6 record, 65.3% completion, 5,678 yards, 39 TDs, and 17 INTs (9.4 YPA). Rushed 375 times for 1,577 yards, 33 TDs (4.2 YPC). 2024: 5 TDs, 10 INTs.
Strengths: Elite runner (sub-4.5 40), vision, patience, deep-ball ability.
Weaknesses: Passing accuracy (especially left), red-zone passing, needs slower game pace for better decisions.
Draft Projection: Later rounds. Run-pass option, potential RB conversion, not starter-ready.
Will Howard (Kansas State / Ohio State)
Career Stats: At KSU, 15-12, 5,786 yards, 48 TDs, and 25 INTs, with 921 rush yards and 19 TDs. At OSU, 14-2, 4,010 yards, 35 TDs, 73.0% completion, 226 rush yards, and 7 TDs. Sacked 16 times at OSU vs. 33 at KSU.
Strengths: Pocket feel, mobile, quick release, championship moxie.
Weaknesses: Questionable arm, struggles with later reads, reliant on elite receivers.
Draft Projection: Mid-rounds. Backup with upside, potential dark horse.
Late-Round Fliers
Kyle McCord (Ohio State / Syracuse)
Career Stats: At OSU, 11-1, 3,170 yards, 24 TDs, and 6 INTs. At Syracuse, 4,779 yards, 34 TDs, 12 INTs, and 66.0% completion. Sacked 43 times.
Strengths: Tempo passer, touch over velocity, catchable throws, hurry-up offense fit.
Weaknesses: Limited mobility, needs faster sack recognition, smaller NFL passing windows.
Draft Projection: 3rd round or later (Rams). Stafford successor.
Dillon Gabriel (UCF / Oklahoma / Oregon)
Career Stats: 64 games, 46-17, 14,862 yards, 126 TDs, and 32 INTs. In 2024, 13-1, 3,857 yards, 30 TDs, 72.9% completion, 149 rush yards, and 7 TDs. Age: 24.
Strengths: Rhythmic lefty, handles left throws, red-zone runner, experience.
Weaknesses: Small (5’11”, 205 lbs.), low deep velocity, age, batted pass risk.
Draft Projection: Late-round flier. Pocket presence offers surprise potential.
Riley Leonard (Duke / Notre Dame)
Career Stats: At Duke, 4,450 yards, 24 TDs, and 10 INTs. At ND, 14-2, 66.7% completion, 7.3 YPA, 906 rush yards, and 17 TDs. Sacked 20 times.
Strengths: Size (6’4”, 215 lbs.), elite runner, play-action passer.
Weaknesses: First-read QB, limited passing experience, tighter NFL run lanes.
Draft Projection: Late rounds. Project QB needing progression work.
Tyler Shough (Oregon / Texas Tech / Louisville)
Career Stats: 42 games, 6,928 yards, 46 TDs, and 19 INTs. In 2024, 8-4, 3,195 yards, 23 TDs, and 62.7% completion. Sacked 49 times, withb 733 rush yards and 11 TDs. Age: 26.
Strengths: Experience, NFL arm, defense reads.
Weaknesses: Injury history, age, struggles under pressure, low ceiling.
Draft Projection: 6th round or later. Backup flier.
Summary
Ward and Sanders lead as top picks with immediate starter potential, while Dart, Ewers, Milroe, and Howard offer mid-round value with development needs. McCord, Gabriel, Leonard, and Shough are late-round gambles, balancing experience with risks like age or injuries. This class provides options for teams seeking franchise QBs, backups, or dual-threat projects.