NFL Draft Bible: Quarterbacks

To QB or not QB, is the question. All Access Football attempts to provide answers.

To QB or not QB, that really is the question for several NFL teams as we approach destination Green Bay for the 2025 NFL Draft. The smoke signal season of April has cast a shadow of fog over who’s in and who’s out on investing a first-round pick on a franchise quarterback. When all is said and done, the NFL is a supply and demand league when it comes to the most important position in sports. Hence, expect to see more than anticipated when Day 1 arrives.

The NFL Draft process is designed to build you up and then break you down. It can be more harsh on some, than it can be on others. When you think of the most scrutinized quarterback prospects in recent history, names such as Lamar Jackson (Louisville/Ravens), Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M/Browns) and Josh Rosen (UCLA/Cardinals) come to mind. All great college quarterbacks, but when it came time to transition to the pros, all faced serious questions about their ability under the national microscope. It’s what comes with the territory.

It’s what has made this draft cycle so fascinating, as Colorado lead man Shedeur Sanders may have faced the most vitriol to date. For so much greatness accomplished at both Jackson State and Colorado, the mainstream media has dumped on Sanders at every turn leading up to the draft. Much of the fuss has been made about his on-field performance. He holds onto the ball too long (but he avoids turnovers), he doesn’t have elite arm strength (yet he can make all the throws), he’s not a scrambler like the others (although he can extend plays with the best of them). It’s important to note that the evaluation process also involves off-field intangibles, a department that Sanders is second-to-none in. Many narratives have been written. The truth will be unveiled in the circumstances and blueprint placed in front of him.

For all the trials and tribulations that Sanders has endured, Miami quarterback Cam Ward has traveled a more arduous journey. A zero-star recruit who walked onto Incarnate Ward, crushed the FCS level of competition, transferred to Washington State where he was buried in the Pac-12 after dark games, before finally taking his talents to Miami on a grand stage. Ward has a howitzer of an arm and has laid down some rare throws on film. The man has worked hard, dedicated himself to his craft and stayed committed to the process. For that, Ward will be rewarded as the No.1 overall pick, as the Tennessee Titans have indicated their draft intent.

One quarterback who failed to live up to our expectations this past season was Jaxson Dart. While he entered the year with a first-round grade on our board, he didn’t deliver when needed in big spots, despite a supporting cast that was rich in talent. Still, he possesses the size, arm strength and mobility that will make him attractive enough to warrant Day 1 consideration.

The wildcard of this draft class would be Alabama dual-threat Jalen Milroe. It would be foolish to bypass such an athletic marvel who can sling it downfield. While the accuracy concerns are legitimate, the tools are there for Milroe to develop into an outstanding pro quarterback. However, patience in the grooming process will be required, and we all know that is easier said than done in the NFL.

2025 QUARTERBACK BIG BOARD

RANK | PLAYER | SCHOOL | HEIGHT | WEIGHT | HAND | ARM | WING | 40 (10-YD), MPH | VERT | BROAD | SHUTTLE | 3-CONE | PROJ

1. Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, 6014, 212, 0938, 3148, 7768, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, Rd1

2. Cameron Ward, Miami, 6015, 219, 0900, 3058, 7568, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, Rd1

3. Jalen Milroe, Alabama, 6016, 216, 0948, 3118, 7658, 4.40 (1.56), n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, Rd2

4. Jaxson Dart, Mississippi, 6022, 223, 0948, 3000, 7278, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, Rd2

5. Quinn Ewers, Texas, 6021, 214, 0938, 3068, 7500, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, Rd3*

6. Tyler Shough, Louisville, 6047, 219, 0968, 3068, 7648, 4.63 (1.59), 21.26, n/a, 32”, 9-9, n/a, n/a, Rd3

7. Kyle McCord, Syracuse, 6030, 218, 0948, 3100, 7448, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, Rd4

8. Will Howard, Ohio State, 6042, 236, 0900, 3200, 7718, 4.80, n/a, 31.5”, 9-4, 4.33, 7.13, Rd5

9. Riley Leonard, Notre Dame, 6035, 213, 0948, 3200, 7748, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, Rd6

10. Kurtis Rourke, Indiana, 6042, 220, 0958, 3068, 7518, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, Rd7

11. Taylor Elgersma, Laurier, 6050, 227, 0958, 3248, 7738, n/a, n/a, 25”, 8-9, 4.89, 7.95, HPFA

12. Dillon Gabriel, Oregon, 5111, 199, 0928, 2958, 7300, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a HPFA

13. Max Brosmer, Minnesota, 6016, 218, 0948, 3200, 7568, 4.79, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, HPFA

14. Seth Henigan, Memphis, 6030, 216, 0918, 3218, 7728, 4.76 (1.60), 21.15, n/a, 31.5”, 9-6, 4.44, 7.34, HPFA

15. Cam Miller, North Dakota State, 6007, 215, 0958, 3018, 7318, 4.84 (1.68), n/a, 32”, 9-3, 4.33, 7.00, HPFA

16. Will Rogers, Washington, 6020, 207, 0858, 3200, 7568, 4.92, n/a, 33.5”, 9-5, 4.39, 6.97, PFA

17. Hunter Dekkers, Iowa Western, 6016, 212, 0958, 3138, 7468, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, PFA

18. Brady Cook, Missouri, 6021, 214, 0938, 3248, 7800, 4.59 (1.53), 21.34, n/a, 37”, 10-8, 4.17, 7.01, PFA

19. Graham Mertz, Florida, 6033, 212, 0968, 3128, 7648, 4.50, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, PFA

20. Connor Bazelak, Bowling Green, 6026, 225, 1018, 3248, 7700, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, PFA

21. Jameson Wang, Cornell, 6001, 210, 0878, 3138, 7368, 4.88 (1.77), n/a, 29.5”, 9-2, 4.56, 7.50, FA

22. Spencer Petras, Utah State, 6050, 234, 1018, 3258, 7938, n/a, n/a, 27.5”, 8-11, n/a, n/a, FA

23. Ethan Garbers, UCLA, 6023, 207, 0918, n/a, n/a, 4.95, n/a, 32.5”, 9-0, 4.48, 7.41, , FA

24. Tyler Huff, Jacksonville State, 6005, 215, n/a, n/a, n/a, 4.62, n/a, 29.5”, n/a, n/a, n/a, FA

25. Matthew Downing, Elon, 5110, 209, 0928, 3028, 7228, n/a, n/a, 27.5”, 8-11, n/a, n/a, FA

26. Connor Watkins, Villanova, 6025, 220, 0900, 2978, 7428, 4.70, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, FA

27. Payton Thorne, Auburn, 6015, 207, 0938, 3118, 7618, 4.70, , n/a, 31”, 9-9, 4.25, 7.20, FA

28. Chandler Rogers, California, 5114, 197, 0958, 3028, 7468, 4.52 (1.62), n/a, 36”, 10-0, 4.34, 7.52, FA

29. Donovan Smith, Houston, 6040, 228, 1038, 3300, 7948, 4.63, 17, 37”, 10-2, 4.32, n/a, FA

30. Hajj-Malik Williams, UNLV, 5115, 205, 4.63, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, FA

31. Brayden Schager, Hawaii, 6022, 220, 0938, 3058, 7500, 0938, 3058, 7500, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, FA

32. Cole Snyder, Eastern Michigan 6016, 211, 0948, 3018, 7558, 4.86 (1.64), 15, 32.5”, 9-9, 4.25, 6.97, FA

33. Davis Black, California (PA), 6041, 233, 0900, 3248, 7868, 5.02, n/a, 29”, 9-8, 4.64, 7.45, FA

34. Tommy Mellott, Montana State, 6000, 200, n/a, n/a, n/a, 4.39, 19, 41”, n/a, n/a, n/a

35. Brandon Stephens, Oklahoma Panhandle State, 5112, 199, 0938, 3048, 7458, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, FA

36. DJ Uiagalelei, Florida State, 6042, 229, 0978, 3158, 7858, 4.90, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, FA

37. Thomas Ryyon, Fairleigh Dickinson, 5111, 164, 0838, 3048, 7268, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, FA

38. Keith Ridley Jr., Southern Connecticut State, 6025, 247, 1018, 3178, 7578, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, FA

39. Matt O’Connor, Stetson, 6021, 202, 0968, 3078, 7448, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, FA

40. Demilon Brown, Arkansas-Monticello, 6002, 211, 0848, 3058, 7448, 4.55, 17, 37.5”, 10-0, 4.38, 7.01

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PLAYER PROFILE KEY (How to read the prospect header):

RK. LAST NAME | FIRST NAME | SCHOOL | POSITION | JERSEY # | YEAR | HOMETOWN | PROJECTION | VALUE

HEIGHT | WEIGHT | HAND | ARM | WINGSPAN | FORTY (10-YARD SPLIT), MPH | BENCH | VERT | BROAD | SHUTTLE | 3-CONE

**Note** Heights of players are measured to the nearest eighth of an inch – for example, “6003” would stand for 6 ft. and 3/8 inches tall. (The first number refers to the feet, the second two numbers refer to the inches, and the last number refers to eighths of an inch.). Arm, hand, and wingspan are written differently – 3012 would mean 30 1/2 inches, 0934 would mean 9 3/4 inches, and 7558 would mean 75 5/8 inches.

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TIER 1 PROSPECTS -- FRANCHISE TALENT

1. SANDERS, SHEDEUR | Colorado | QB | #2 | Sr | Dallas, TX | Franchise Talent | Round 1

Combine: 6014 | 212 | 0938| 3148 | 7768 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a

One-Liner: The most polarizing prospect to enter the NFL in the past decade due to his flair, unorthodox journey and life under the spotlight with a high-profile father who was also one of the best to ever do it.

Evaluation: A natural point guard, Sanders' game can come across as streetball to some. This would not be the first instance that we have seen such a mold for a franchise quarterback entering the league. What some knock, others have come to appreciate. The ability for Sanders to improvise on the fly, extend plays, remain accurate on the move, and make off-platform throws, some of which might look funky but are delivered on time, with accuracy, is what makes him a unique signal-caller. This is a natural-born leader on and off the field. Something Sanders doesn’t get credit for is his hands-on involvement in player recruitment both at Jackson State and Colorado, a major reason why those programs were able to turn around their culture. His toughness can be seen as a positive, as it fuels teammates, but also a negative. It’s his stubborn mentality that makes Sanders hold onto the football too long. It can often result in sacks and loss for yards but it’s better than forcing throws that lead to interceptions. In the NFL, Sanders will no doubt need to learn how to rid himself of the football quicker. He gets knocked for not having a rifle for an arm, but Sanders gets the ball there and does so with ball placement and timing. His velocity is not of elite caliber, and his spiral tends to fluctuate. However, Sanders can deliver the deep ball when needed. Time and time again, he has shown the ability to rally the troops from behind and create something out of nothing, while taking devastating hits that would certainly rattle most. The off-field antics such as his personal camera entourage, making music and having a celebrity high-profile dad rumored to be the next head coach of wherever his son lands, are all part of the package deal that comes with selecting Sanders. The positive attributes far outweigh the negative traits. This is an assassin who knows how to win and is destined to blaze his own legendary trail to stardom.

Quotable: “You can’t really confuse him. I’ve seen a lot of different teams try to manipulate coverage and disguise, and he does a really good job, pre-snap to post-snap, and he can make all the throws.” - Kansas State HC Chris Klieman

Background: Suffered a fracture in his back against Washington State, causing him to miss the Utah game in 2023. Left the Alabama State game with an injury in 2022. He broke over 100 school records during his two seasons at Colorado. He finished his career ranked 14th in NCAA D1 (FBS and FCS) history with 14,343 yards and as just the second QB in history with 14,000-plus yards while completing 70-plus percent of his passes. He threw a touchdown pass in 49 straight games, the longest streak in NCAA D1 (FBS and FCS) history, the second longest streak in NCAA history and it would be the third longest streak in NFL history. Has won multiple prestigious awards, such as the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (2024), plus Jerry Rice Award and Deacon Jones Trophy in 2022. He helped Jackson State to a 23-3 record as the starting quarterback, including a perfect 16-0 mark in SWAC games. JSU won two SWAC championships, the school’s first since 2007. A four-star recruit both out of high school and in the transfer portal. Guided Trinity Christian High School to multiple national and state championships. In his high school career, he threw for 12,627 yards and 166 touchdowns, compiling a 47-5 record. The youngest son of Colorado head coach and Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders. His older brother, Shilo, is a draft-eligible safety who also played for Buffs. Released a hip-hop track, "Perfect Timing", in May 2024.

2. WARD, CAMERON | Miami | QB | #1 | Sr | West Columbia, TX | Franchise Talent | Round 1

Combine: 6015 | 219 | 0900 | 3058 | 7568 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a

One-Liner: A well-experienced, accurate passer with a slingshot of an arm who flashes elite traits such as anticipation and timing, along with the ability to extend plays.