The 2025 NFL Draft is not graded as an elite draft when it comes to quarterback, but that doesn’t mean a QB needy team won’t find the guy to lead them forward.
Although this draft isn’t as top heavy as the 2024 NFL Draft which saw Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye go with the first three picks in the draft, there is still talent and young gunslingers who could excel if drafted into the right situation. The key is selected to the right team like a Bo Nix with the Denver Broncos who had the right coach and team around him to grow into the role.
In a draft class featuring dual-threat quarterbacks, who are the elite of the top QB prospects entering the 2025 NFL Draft?
2025 NFL Draft QB class is not filled with talent
It may just come down to a Cam Ward vs Shedeur Sanders debate as teams look to mimic the success of Daniels. Talent wise, those are the two who stand out, but there are other intriguing QB’s who could end up being the best of the class when all is said and down. Base on talent, production and raw ability, here are NFL Mock’s top 5 quarterback prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft.
1. Cam Ward, Miami Hurricanes
2024 Stats: Yards: 4,313| TD: 39 | INT: 7 | QBR: 88.7
When it comes to improvisation in the pocket, Cam Ward was top notch in 2024 in leading the Miami Hurricanes to a 10-3 record in 2024. As the top ranked QB entering the 2025 NFL Draft, Ward didn’t take part in NFL Combine activities, but his play on the field during his final season at Miami not only had him as a Heisman Trophy candidate, but also solidified him as the best in this year’s class.
With his natural arm talent, ability to get outside the pocket and make plays and his instincts as a football player, Ward should be the first quarterback off the board. It may be a question of which team takes him, but as far as talent, his clutch gene and quick reads as a quarterback, Ward is the best of the best in this year’s class.
Draft projection: Early First Round
2. Shedeur Sanders, Colorado Buffaloes
2024 Stats: 4,134 TD: 37 | INT: 10 | QBR: 75.5
Ward is not sitting at the top of the heap alone. Former Colorado Shedeur Sanders will get his own buzz at the top of the 2025 NFL Draft for teams looking for a QB. Although undersized, Sanders also possesses that clutch gene and when given time in the pocket can orchestrate any offense. As a player with extreme confidence, Sanders will need to be put in the right situation to succeed in the NFL.
Like Ward, Sanders has proven he can read the field prior to the snap and work through progressions. He also possesses a poise in the pocket that has separated him as one of the elite quarterbacks in this year’s draft. With his natural leadership ability and accuracy throwing the ball, Sanders will give teams something to think about when it comes to the first QB off the board.
Draft projection: Early-to-Mid second round
3. Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss Rebels
2024 Stats: 4,279 TD: 29 | INT: 6 | QBR: 86.3
The most intriguing quarterback prospect in this draft is former Ole Miss gunslinger Jaxson Dart. With prototypical size as a QB and an ability to make plays outside the pocket, Dart is a player who could sneak into the first round. Like Ward, Dart displays exception improvisation skills and has good touch on his ball in the intermediate passing game. He also displays the trait of leadership, but it is his athleticism that will stand out for teams in search of a quarterback in this draft.
Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart puts it right into his WR's hands 🧺
— NFL (@NFL) March 1, 2025
📺: #NFLCombine on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/EYor6Y80W6
In all, Dart will need to work on his deep ball accuracy, but his raw talent and toughness will land him as a starter in the NFL sooner rather than later.
Draft projection: Second round
4. Dillon Gabriel, Oregon Ducks
2024 Stats: 3,857 TD: 30 | INT: 6 | QBR: 86.4
Dillon Gabriel had a tremendous season at Oregon. In throwing for 3,857 yards and 30 touchdowns, this former Ducks star had Oregon looking like the best team in the country most of the year. At 5-foot-11, 205 pounds, Gabriel is undersized at the QB position, but his pre-snap awareness, pocket mobility and ball placement makes him a signal caller teams should be looking at on Day 2 or 3 of the draft.
DG cannon 🚀 @_dillongabriel_ x #NFLCombine #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/0pWpT2e5ZB
— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) March 2, 2025
Gabriel is not the most gifted quarterback entering the 2025 NFL Draft, but his natural leadership and situational awareness in the pocket makes him a player who could have early success in the NFL. Although he did not perform any of the physical tests at the NFL Combine, his throwing session displayed his arm strength and accuracy. Is Gabriel one of the top 5 quarterbacks entering the draft as far as talent? The answer is no, but other QB intangibles, he could be in the top 3.
Draft projection: Day 3 selection
5. Jalen Milroe, Alabama Crimson Tide
2024 Stats: 2,844 TD: 16 | INT: 11 | QBR: 78.4
The biggest wildcard in the 2025 NFL Draft is former Alabama QB Jalen Milroe. He could be as good as Jalen Hurts or turn out to be a bust list Mac Jones. It could go either way for the 6-foot-2, 225 QB who has the dual-threat ability to be successful in the NFL. With arm strength and athleticism as his biggest and best attributes, teams will take a shot at Milroe but the question will be where in the draft?
Throwin’ 🎯
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) March 2, 2025
📺: #NFLCombine on @NFLNetworkpic.twitter.com/hsxeIG5koZ
Early in the college football season, Milroe was as high as the third best QB in this year’s draft class, but his struggles with accuracy throwing the ball and processing speed in the pocket makes him more of a project. In all a boom or bust prospect who will be a big win for a team if they can find a way to utilize his skillset and help him improve on his weaknesses within his natural progression of growth.
Draft projection: Day 2 – early Day 3